News - June 2021

Division of Ag researchers among U of A faculty honored by student groups

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture researchers are among eight U of A faculty named Outstanding Faculty Members of the Year by the Associated Student Government and the Graduate Professional Student Congress.

Entomology graduate student investigates ecosystem impacts of adding pollinator-friendly native plants to pastures, agricultural fields

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Many wild bee populations are decreasing throughout their ranges, including in Arkansas. But Olivia Kline, an entomology Ph.D. student at the University of Arkansas, is investigating a way Arkansas farmers can give the bees a boost.

Division of Agriculture staffers earn honors in national communications contest

PURCELLVILLE, Va. — University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture employees earned honors from the National Federation of Press Women national communication contest, including first place for news or feature release.

Wetland, wildfowl certificate program draws first class from four states

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Brandon Bennett knew from his earliest days what he wanted to do with his life.

July 15: Virtual field trip explores sustainability in the poultry industry

LITTLE ROCK — Join researchers and industry personnel on July 15 as they provide an overview of current and future efforts to build sustainability into the nation’s poultry industry.

Division of Agriculture preliminary estimate: Floods, storms cause more than $200 million in crop damage in southeastern Arkansas

DUMAS, Ark. — Farmers in five counties in southeastern Arkansas suffered more than $200 million in direct losses to major crops after the major flooding and storm event in early June, according to a preliminary estimate by experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said Monday.

In-person and online field days display Division of Agriculture research and extension programs to promote sustainable agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will present a series of online and in-person field days this summer that will display key research and extension programs. The series will kick off with a Cotton Sustainability Field Day in July.

Cooperative Extension Service to lead education effort regarding new FDA guidance on antimicrobial drugs for livestock

LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service will lead education and outreach efforts over the next 18 months concerning new guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding the sale and use of antimicrobial drugs used in veterinary applications.

Post-flood crop management meeting set for June 21in Dumas

ROHWER, Ark. — Farmers who suffered flooding and other damage from heavy rain and winds last week will be able to get their post-flood production questions answered by University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture agronomists and specialists at a meeting June 21at the Dumas Community Center.

Invasive plant removal field day aims to help Arkansans identify, control problem plants

LITTLE ROCK — Every now and again, the constant gardener is going to come across a plant that just doesn’t quite belong. Invasive plants, from Kudzu to Chinese Privet, are the bane of nearly every landscape, yard and garden in the Natural State — or at least, they’re giving it their best shot.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Stations report National Weather Service data

ROHWER, Ark. — The Rohwer Research Station in Desha County is known for hosting row crop variety trials as well as pest management and soil fertility experiments. This week it earned a bit of notoriety in another field: weather. 

End of an era: Arkansas Flower and Garden Show leaves three-decade legacy

LITTLE ROCK — For nearly three decades, the spectacular gardens and rich educational sessions at Arkansas Flower and Garden Show provided both a reprieve from winter and an inspiration to gardeners for the spring to come.

Governor declares state of emergency as rain, flooding continue in southeastern Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson declared a state of emergency on Thursday in response to the record rainfall and flooding in the southeastern area of the state.

Robotic berry picker, herbicide research among topics at Summer Blackberry Tour

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Do robots dream of electric blackberries?

Doubtful. But they may one day pick fresh blackberries for the rest of us if Renee Threlfall’s graduate students have anything to say about it.

Parts of Arkansas receive double-digit rainfall; flooding comes at critical time for wheat

MCGEHEE, Ark. — Desha County, along with most of the Delta Region and more than two-thirds of the counties in Arkansas, received extraordinary amounts of rain over the weekend and well into this week, continuing through Wednesday morning.

Entomologist rescues wayward bee colony from grocery parking lot

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bees, like teenagers, don’t always make the best decisions. So, when honeybees built a new colony in a large retail parking lot in Fayetteville, they were lucky that Neel Joshi happened by on his way to the grocery.

Two ‘Blackberry Days’ set in June to celebrate Arkansas-grown berries

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas farmers markets and pick-your-own farms will be joining in the blackberry month celebration with blackberry days on two consecutive Saturdays this month.

First box of Bradley County tomatoes delivered to extension office

WARREN, Ark. — The 2021 season for one of Arkansas’ favorite summer treats is off and running now that the first box of tomatoes has been delivered to the Bradley County Cooperative Extension Service office.

Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center satellite office now open in Newport

NEWPORT, Ark. — The Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center’s third office is open to help small and local businesses expand and help create a stronger economic base in northeastern Arkansas.

First Arkansas Quality Wine competition shows breadth of styles, grapes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If there’s a phrase to sum up the first Arkansas Quality Wine competition, it would be “our cup runneth over.”

Cotton sustainability field day set for July 30 at Judd Hill Foundation

NEWPORT, Ark. — The July 30 field day at the Judd Hill Foundation will explore various facets of sustainable cotton production, including soil health, water use and greenhouse gas production.

Gov. Hutchinson proclaims June blackberry month

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ governor has given the humble blackberry its own month.

Food science students design gummy treats to promote healthier snacking

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food science students in Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas developed a new recipe for gummy treats in an effort to promote healthier snacking.

Variety being tested in Arkansas is coming up with some ‘berry’ big results

KIBLER, Ark. — There’s no trophy, but an informal competition between two Arkansas agricultural research stations does come with a little bit of bragging rights for the biggest berry.

Student hits home run with vet school

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Hayley McGhee of Olathe, Kansas, may have hit a home run by attending the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources — but not before laying down a sacrifice bunt. 

Master Gardeners virtual auction offers gardening supplies and more 

LITTLE ROCK — You don’t need a green thumb to attend the Arkansas Master Gardeners auction this year. It’s online, open to all, and free to attend.