News - August 2022

Effects of pandemic show in latest Arkansas Agriculture Profile

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 2022 edition of the Arkansas Agriculture Profile shows some of the varied effects of the COVID pandemic on the state’s ag sector.

Extension state educator helps new agents become community resources

AUGUSTA, Ark. — As part of the Cooperative Extension Service, Family and Consumer Sciences agents help individuals and families develop important life skills to better care for themselves, their homes and their finances. For Leigh Ann Bullington, Family and Consumer Sciences educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, her role is an opportunity to mentor new FCS agents and help them become resources to their communities.

Arkansas Ag Experiment Station researcher to lead IEEE Nanotechnology Council

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jin-Woo Kim, a professor and researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, was recently named president-elect of the Nanotechnology Council of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for 2023.

Doctoral student wins American Society of Agronomy and Crop Science Society awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Carrie Ortel, a University of Arkansas doctoral student in crop, soil and environmental sciences, was named winner of two prestigious awards by national organizations and will be recognized at their joint annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, in November.

Sept. 7 webinar to offer insights to students exploring ag, food law careers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It was the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences, or MANNRS, organization that helped shape Caleb Pearson’s career.

Division of Agriculture demonstrates one possible ‘future of weed control’

KEISER, Ark. — The future of weed control may come down to selectivity. Using visual recognition and machine learning to selectively spray pesticides in crop fields, versus simply broadcasting chemicals over an entire area, is the core concept behind a technology that researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have been evaluating for several years.

Arkansas researcher’s collaborative method may reveal solutions to water quality issues

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Preventing fertilizer run-off from farms is essential to preserving water quality. But preventive measures also help farmers get the most use from their fertilizer.

Arkansas turfgrass scientists test more wetting agents to control 'localized dry spot'

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Many golf course managers in Arkansas have putting greens that suffer from a problem called "localized dry spot," patches of dying or dead grass. Tufgrass scientists with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station are narrowing in on how best to deal with it.

Muscadine Grape Workshop and Field Day set for Sept. 19 in Clarksville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Muscadine Grape Workshop and Field Day will be on Sept. 19 at the Fruit Research Station in Clarksville.

How to become a vendor at an Arkansas farmers market

LITTLE ROCK — Throughout Arkansas, farmers markets are important sources of fresh, local food as well as locations for community gatherings. For budding entrepreneurs, they may offer an opportunity to market their goods and services to that community.

Researchers use AI to assist with early detection of autism spectrum disorder

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Could artificial intelligence be used to assist with the early detection of autism spectrum disorder? That’s a question researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the University of Arkansas are trying to answer. But they’re taking an unusual tack.

New collaboration between Ag Law Center, 4-H opens opportunity to explore new career paths

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new collaboration between the National Agricultural Law Center and Arkansas 4-H will enable students to explore potential law careers in food, agriculture and the environment.

New president of American Society for Enology and Viticulture has Arkansas ties

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A former University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture fruit extension specialist was recently confirmed as the new president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture, an organization that supports grape growers and winemakers.

USDA: Drought drops U.S. cotton harvest to be lowest level since the 19^th century

JONESBORO, Ark. — The United States is expected to harvest its lowest number of cotton acres since the 19^th century, according to an estimate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

New rice varieties Ozark, Taurus and ARoma 22 highlighted at Rice Field Day

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In addition to several new long-grain rice lines, the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s Rice Breeding Program has one new medium grain and two new aromatic lines in the pipeline.

Soil nutrient replacement something to consider if burning, baling crop residue

STUTTGART, Ark. — Farmers are standing on money in their field when it comes soil nutrients.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency taps Division of Agriculture for crop insurance analysis, stakeholder feedback

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be collecting stakeholder feedback and providing data analysis for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency to help RMA improve its products and services to farmers.

Rain, soil moisture sensors can save water, money, while supporting healthy lawn

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Using rain and soil moisture sensors with an automated home irrigation system can save water, money and still support a healthy lawn, according to a three-year study conducted within the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge teaches youth to create nutritious, tasty meals in food desert scenarios

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansans who live in communities with limited access to food, creating a nutritious, fresh meal on a budget can be a challenge. Arkansas 4-H youth are practicing this important life skill through the program’s Healthy Living Project, and they put their cooking chops to the test at the Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge.

Weed scientists explore new modes of action on barnyardgrass in rice

STUTTGART, Ark. — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists are exploring new modes of action to combat barnyardgrass, the most problematic weed in Arkansas rice fields.

Catch up on routine vaccinations during National Immunization Awareness Month

LITTLE ROCK — As the new school year kicks off, one of the best ways families can protect themselves from illness is to ensure they’re up to date on vaccinations. This August, Arkansans can participate in National Immunization Awareness Month by contacting their doctors and scheduling routine vaccinations.  

New poultry science faculty member focuses on intestinal health research

FAYETTEVILLE — Intestinal health is a major concern in the poultry industry to mitigate disease and avoid drug resistance.

Why Pythium-resistant spinach and arugula is such a big deal

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Pythium is a dirty word for farmers in hydroponics, from the tropics to the arctic and outer space.

Pest management through plant defenses a focus of new Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station entomologist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Plants naturally equip themselves with defenses against insect herbivores. Understanding how those defenses work can reveal alternative approaches to pest management. Rupesh Kariyat, associate professor of crop entomology with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, researches the principles of those defenses to find innovative pest management strategies.

Arkansas 4-H awards college scholarships, sponsorships to outstanding youth

LITTLE ROCK — Years of detailed project work, community service and leadership efforts have paid off for 32 4-H members in the form of college scholarships. 

Hundreds gather for first in-person Rice Field Day in Stuttgart since COVID-19 lockdown

STUTTGART, Ark. — Hundreds gained new insights into weed control, irrigation technology, precision agriculture and soil health at the 2022 Rice Field Day on Friday, Aug. 5, at the Rice Research & Extension Center.

Division of Agriculture to partner with USDA on $10 million tax education effort for farmers, ranchers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are teaming up to provide taxpayer education to farmers and ranchers. The partnership aims to provide resources for educators and tax professionals who work with rural and agricultural clients as well.

Grown Up U podcast partners with GetREAL independent living program for youth in Fort Smith

FORT SMITH, Ark. — A new partnership between the Cooperative Extension Service’s Grown Up U: Facts for Success podcast and the GetREAL independent living program in Fort Smith will provide Arkansans aging out of the foster care system with advice to help develop important life skills. 

Bowery Farming collaborates with Arkansas scientists to develop super spinach

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bowery Farming, the national vertical-farming giant, has a new agreement with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture to support research for developing spinach varieties that are bred for high-quality indoor production and to thrive in Bowery’s proprietary growing system.

Logging brothers keep the faith amid industry challenges

MONTICELLO, Arkansas — Hard work, faith and a used chicken truck turned out to be a solid foundation for Reggie and Chris Goodman’s logging business.

Last weekend’s rain was helpful to Arkansas farmers, ranchers, but more wouldn’t hurt

LITTLE ROCK — Rain that fell in the last weekend of July was helpful, but more rain would be welcome by farmers and ranchers to revive pastures and to help soybeans fill pods and rice fill grain heads.

Buffalo River Watershed Enhancement Project encouraging landowners to develop ponds

LITTLE ROCK — Farmers and ranchers living in the Buffalo River Watershed should consider pond construction as insurance against drought and to ensure a high-quality water supply for livestock and crops.

Cooperative Extension Service to recruit volunteer Health Ambassadors in six counties

LITTLE ROCK — A new Cooperative Extension Service project is seeking to improve the health of rural counties by recruiting local volunteers, who will receive training and deliver extension health programming to their communities.