News - January 2022

Division of Agriculture releases high-yielding Clearfield rice variety through Horizon Ag

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new high-yielding, Clearfield^® rice variety developed by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station will be available to rice growers from Horizon Ag in 2023. The new rice, CLL18, averaged 221 bushels per acre over two years in the 2020-21 Arkansas Rice Performance Trials conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas tomato fruit worm study develops new insecticide recommendations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  When it comes to managing tomato fruit worms in Arkansas, using the right product once is often as good as it gets.

Statement from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

We are pleased that the Arkansas Legislative Council today approved our request for $6 million from the Restricted Reserve Fund to support two projects that are very important to us. Five million of this amount will go toward our Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Poinsett County, while $1 million will go to the Division of Agriculture’s Endowment for Waterfowl and Wetlands Conservation Research.

‘This is a year to survive’: High input costs, weed pressure top concerns for growers gearing up for 2022

HAZEN, Ark. — When it comes to preparing for the 2022 growing season, Tommy Butts, extension weed scientist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, doesn’t mince words: “This is a year to survive.”

Horticulture Industries Show enjoys solid turnout for 40^th anniversary despite COVID concerns

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After a 2021 cancellation, the Oklahoma & Arkansas Horticulture Industries Show returned to Fayetteville for its 40th anniversary, featuring more than 50 presentations.

Who has the final say in pesticide law? Upcoming webinar providing insight into glyphosate litigation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — This question will be a focus of the National Agricultural Law Center’s webinar, “A Legal Roundup of Glyphosate: History and Outlook,” on Feb. 16, at noon EST/11 a.m. CST.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station rice breeders release two new conventional lines, Taurus and Ozark

FAYETTEVILLE — Rice breeders with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have developed two new conventional rice varieties that outperform their predecessors in yield potential.

Arkansas Plant Health Clinic’s updated Plant Disease Image Database now available

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansas growers, gardeners, and homeowners, the ability to identify plant health issues is critical to the success of their crop. The Arkansas Plant Health Clinic, located in Fayetteville and supported by the Cooperative Extension Service, serves these growers by providing resources to help solve plant disease problems.

Jonesboro to host 2022 Conservation Systems Conferences

JONESBORO, Ark. — The dialogue among researchers, farmers and industry is a key asset of the Conservation Systems Conferences event, which will mark its 25^th anniversary when it opens Jan. 31-Feb. 2 in Jonesboro.

Arkansas nanotech researcher Jin-Woo Kim named IEEE fellow

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jin-Woo Kim, a professor and researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, was inducted as a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on Jan. 1 for his contributions to nanotechnology.

Extension Service seeking input on in-home COVID test use

LITTLE ROCK — Now that every home in the United States is eligible to order in-home COVID tests for no cost from the federal government, the Cooperative Extension Service wants to see whether people prefer at-home testing over those done in a medical office.

Analysis: House bill on cattle price discovery may chill innovation in beef markets, could mean cost burden on Arkansas cow-calf operations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A Congressional bill intended to increase transparency in the beef supply chain may hinder pricing innovations that have contributed to beef demand growth over the last 20 years and translate into lower prices for Arkansas producers, according to an analysis by the Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence.

Division of Agriculture presents forest management plan for its stations, includes oak regeneration project at Pine Tree

COLT, Ark. — Forest researchers will be working to regenerate a declining ecosystem in Arkansas — bottomland oak forests — to help restore healthy and productive red and white oak ecosystems to provide timber and improved habitat for deer, quail, ducks, turkeys and other species.

Wonders of Waterfowl workshop offers 4-H members hands-on learning

The new Wonders of Waterfowl Workshop, hosted by the Five Oaks Agriculture, Research and Education Center in partnership with Arkansas 4-H and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, will take place on Saturday, Feb. 12 in Dewitt, the heart of Arkansas duck land. The outdoor workshop for junior and senior 4-H members will focus on duck identification, wing identification, habitat and food, mallard migration and GIS technology, and duck banding.

With new policy, EPA prohibits two Enlist herbicides in 11 Arkansas counties

LITTLE ROCK — Growers in 11 counties in western Arkansas are among those in more than 200 counties nationwide who will find themselves without the use of two popular herbicides for the 2022 growing season.

Division of Agriculture releases 2022 versions of weed, pest and disease management guides

LITTLE ROCK — The most widely used publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have been updated for 2022 with the latest research-based recommendations for managing pests, weeds and diseases in row crop agriculture, as well as fruit, vegetable and garden production.

‘Club in a tub’ program provides resources for new and returning 4-H club leaders

LITTLE ROCK — Among the many things the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted, the passing along of leadership roles within organizations — 4-H clubs among them — can be one of the most difficult to navigate.

River Valley Beef Cattle Conference to focus on efficiency

MORRILTON, Ark. – This year’s River Valley Beef Cattle Conference will focus on efficiency, presenting the latest recommendations for cattle producers looking to keep costs down and profits up.

'Relevant Risk' agribusiness podcast launched by Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Fryar Price Risk Management Center of Excellence launched a podcast Jan. 13 to offer more timely analysis of current agribusiness issues. It is hosted by John Anderson and Andrew McKenzie, professors of agricultural economics and agribusiness with the University of Arkansas System.

New Livestock and Forestry Research Station director aims to expand, advance research programs

BATESVILLE, Ark. — Shane Gadberry said the Livestock and Forestry and Research Station is a natural fit for him to advance his work on behalf of Arkansas beef producers. After 25 years as an extension livestock specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, he has been appointed resident director of the research station near Batesville. 

Best Care provides professional development for thousands of Arkansas childcare professionals

LITTLE ROCK — The Best Care training, a professional development course that reaches thousands of Arkansas childcare professionals annually, will be offered virtually and in-person in 2022. Family and consumer science agents with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture plan to conduct 35 Best Care trainings from January to May this year.

Gus Lorenz, extension entomologist, retires after 36 years

LONOKE, Ark. — After more than three and a half decades with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Distinguished Professor and extension entomologist Gus Lorenz has left at least one distinct image among his cohort: What you see is what you get.

Water use takes a front seat Jan. 26 Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas farmers and other agriculture professionals will share how adoption of new technology and practices have improved irrigation efficiency as part of the online Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference on Jan. 26.

Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association to hold winter members meeting Feb. 5 in Little Rock

LITTLE ROCK — Managing labor, marketing and insects are among the topics on the agenda Feb. 5 for the third annual winter meeting of the Arkansas Blackberry Growers Association.

Arkansas hits new annual yield records in rice, cotton; winter wheat acres expected to decline

JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas’ rice and cotton crops both hit record yields in 2021 as expected, while yields for corn and soybeans were roughly the same as the previous year, according to Wednesday’s report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that summarizes 2021 crop production.

Vines Center (again) scores five Arkansas Business Best of Biz titles

LITTLE ROCK — For the fourth year in a row, the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center has won five Best of Biz titles as voted by readers of Arkansas Business.

Drew County, Arkansas Farm Bureaus endow scholarships honoring retired professors

MONTICELLO, Ark. — The Drew County Farm Bureau and Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation are making sure that recently retired agriculture professors Drs. Bob Stark and Paul Francis, from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, aren't forgotten.

Cooperative Extension Service’s ‘Grow Your Own Groceries’ series continues in 2022

LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service’s series of “Grow Your Own Groceries” online presentations will continue in 2022. The virtual classes connect Arkansans with agents’ expertise in growing, preparing, and preserving fruits and vegetables at home.

Northeast Rice Research & Extension Center Director Tim Burcham honored with 2021 Professional Achievement Award from Clemson University

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center director was recently recognized by Clemson University for his achievements and contributions to agriculture.

2022 Beginning Farmer Classes start with new focus

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food will present a new round of Beginning Farmer Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 11 to March 1. 

Cooperative Extension Service to host in-person livestock and forage winter production meetings

LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service’s livestock and forage production meetings will take place in-person in winter and spring 2022. Kevin Lawson, director of extension’s Ozark District, said county agents and producers are excited to gather face to face again.

Wind and solar farms as ‘crops’ of the future?  Jan. 19 webinar provides legal perspective in land use conflicts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Should agricultural land be used for wind and solar farms? This question will be the focus of the National Agricultural Law Center’s webinar, “Wind and Solar Farms in Farm Country: Addressing Land Use Conflicts” on Jan. 19, at noon EST/11 a.m. CST.

Tri-State Soybean Forum rotates to Mississippi on Jan. 7

STONEVILLE, Miss. — The Tri-State Soybean Forum returns to Mississippi in 2022, organized as an in-person meeting Jan. 7 at the Delta Research and Extension Center.