News - February 2021

Deep freeze inflicts widespread damage to fruit crops, leads growers to consider options

DOVER, Ark. — After the February storms that locked Arkansas in record snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, Kenny Drewry is considering a few changes on his farm.

Groundwater withdrawal rights to be discussed in ag law webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Many agricultural producers rely on groundwater for irrigation, but regulations for withdrawing it can vary from state to state.

New report outlines economic trajectory for Arkansas’ timber industry

MONTICELLO, Ark. — If you are a building supplier, the economic outlook for 2021 is looking better than expected following the COVID-19 pandemic. If you operate a family-owned tree farm and want to harvest stumpage, 2021 is looking financially flat, with an overabundance of trees in Arkansas and the South. 

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station releases new white-flesh peach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Whitewater, a new peach from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s fruit breeding program, features a low acid, white flesh fruit that ripens in June.

Arkansas native, former SWREC station director named head of Alabama Extension System

AUBURN, Ala. — Mike Phillips, an Arkansas native and former director of the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope has been named director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Arkansas’ deep freeze may deep-six part of fire ant population; flies likely unaffected

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A week of record-low temperatures may leave its mark on Arkansas’ fire ant populations, but don’t look for the cold to have reduced fly or tick numbers, Kelly Loftin, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said Friday.

Arkansas station director honored with Distinguished Service Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Research Center Administrators Society has bestowed its 2021 Distinguished Service Awards to Vaughn Skinner, resident director of the Milo J. Shult Research and Extension Center in Arkansas.

As options dwindle, new resistance emerges in pigweed

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On Monday, Tom Barber, extension weed scientist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, announced that he and several fellow researchers had confirmed a strain of glufosinate-resistant Palmer amaranth — commonly known as pigweed — in Mississippi County.

Low temperatures break records across Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Temperatures plunged to record lows across Arkansas Tuesday morning, falling to single digits or even negative numbers, even in the southernmost reaches of the state.

Poultry science department students receive awards during annual IPSF and IPPE meetings

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two students of the University of Arkansas poultry science department received prestigious awards at the 2021 International Poultry Scientific Forum and the International Production and Processing Expo held virtually, January 26-28, in Atlanta, Ga.

Deep freeze, snow create multiple worries for cattle, poultry operations

LITTLE ROCK — Single-digit wind chills, freezing water in pipes and troughs and high snow loads on roofs are causing concerns for poultry and cattle operations, specialists from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said Monday.

Bob Frans, Arkansas weed scientist and teacher, dies at 93

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Robert “Bob” Frans, Emeritus Distinguished Professor in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences died Jan. 11 in Fayetteville. He was 93.

Exhibitors warned about virus that could affect their show swine

LITTLE ROCK — Youth who show swine are being warned about Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, or PED, that may affect their pigs.

X-ray research confirms importance of glass transition phase to rice drying and processing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A former graduate student’s research with x-rays has verified a hypothesis by Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists about why rice kernels often break during milling.

Arkansas cotton farmers, extension specialists examine profitability of soil health
LITTLE ROCK — Improving soil health is in the best interest of Arkansas cotton farmers, but producers use different strategies for doing so. By Tracy Courage. 462 words.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Soybean Breeding Program to expand variety offerings with Enlist E3® soybean trait

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists are breeding new Arkansas-adapted soybean varieties with the Enlist E3^® soybean trait. With these upcoming varieties, experiment station soybean breeders aim to give Arkansas growers greater weed-control flexibility.

Experts offer advice on best practices for tree care, maintenance

LITTLE ROCK — Beautiful, healthy trees can enhance homes and businesses, but growing trees takes time, effort and money to help them thrive. The Arkansas Urban Forestry Council, in collaboration with the Cooperative Extension Service, is offering free online presentations that teach best practices for tree care. 

Division of Agriculture to offer online strawberry school

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — For growers who have ever wanted to try their hand at cultivating strawberries, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is providing a golden opportunity to do it with expert advice and guidance, all year long.

Federal crop insurance considerations & updates to be addressed in Feb. 17 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Attorney Grant Ballard will provide clarity on the current landscape of federal crop insurance in a National Agricultural Law Center webinar on Feb. 17, discussing the latest legal developments, important case law, regulatory changes and issues producers should consider for the 2021 season.

Robert Bacon, wheat breeder, professor and department head, retires after 37 years with Division of Agriculture, Bumpers College

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Robert Bacon joined the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station as a wheat breeder in 1984. But really, he counts his start with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as an hourly worker while still an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas.

River Valley Beef Cattle Webinar Scheduled for Feb. 23

LITTLE ROCK — The River Valley Beef Cattle Conference, a mainstay event brought to Arkansas cattle producers by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is moving online for 2021.

Proctor, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station professor emeritus in food science, named visiting professor at Suffolk

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Andy Proctor, university professor emeritus with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's department of food science, has been appointed to a visiting professor position at the University of Suffolk in the United Kingdom.

DIY: Grow your own groceries — extension can teach you how

LITTLE ROCK — In response to frequently-asked gardening questions, the Cooperative Extension Service has developed a series of online “Grow Your Own Groceries” presentations to share agents’ expertise in growing and preparing fruits and vegetables.