News - June 2022

Rusty Tractor Vineyards Chambourcin takes best of show in Arkansas Quality Wine competition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A Little Rock vineyard’s Chambourcin took best of show in the 2022 Arkansas Quality Wine competition — an event that impressed judges with its stereotype-breaking breadth of flavors and styles. 

SIDEBAR: Humble muscadine shines in 2022 Arkansas Quality Wine competition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The humble muscadine propelled three wines into the “best of” categories in the second annual Arkansas Quality Wine competition.

Did biosecurity lessons in 2015 curb the 2022 bird flu outbreak deaths? An Arkansas agricultural economist has a clue.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Did lessons in biosecurity from the 2015 avian flu outbreak help save domestic birds in the 2022 outbreak?

U of A, UA System Division of Agriculture Sign Special Agreement

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas and the UA System Division of Agriculture (UADA) have signed a special agreement to guide the ongoing cooperation and fundamental interactions between the two entities.

Research tracking cattle disease turns up invasive ticks in Washington County

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Scientists conducting research on tick-transmitted cattle diseases in Arkansas have turned up new samples of the invasive Asian longhorned tick.

SIDEBAR: Cattle producers urged to monitor cattle for ticks; take preventative measures

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas cattle producers are being urged to check their herds for unusual ticks and take measures to prevent transmission of theileriosis or other tick-related diseases.

Find summer meal sites for k-12 students using USDA’s “Find Meals for Kids” map

To help feed Arkansas families dealing with food insecurity over the summer, parents and caregivers of K-12 students can find information about summer meal sites in their communities using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program “Find Meals for Kids” map.

New ag economist focuses on food systems and agricultural supply chains

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new agricultural economist who works with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station says marketing in a world with endless options requires producers to know more about consumer demand.

As high grain prices meet high temperatures, clock is ticking for corn, soybean growers

LITTLE ROCK — After years of depressed commodity prices, this could be the year for Arkansas grain growers to cash in — if just a few things go their way.

July 20 webinar to help in hard decision between long-term care costs, farm assets

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Aging farm families face the prospect of making a difficult decision between buying long-term care insurance and keeping farm assets. 

Arkansas 4-H teams compete at International SeaPerch Challenge in Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — As the field of robotics continues to develop, its role in space exploration and deep-sea research has become critical to the future of science and discovery. Three Arkansas 4-H teams recently took their robotics knowledge to the next level at the 2022 International SeaPerch Challenge in College Park, Maryland, where they competed with students from across the country and around the world.

UAM cattle breeding program enters new phase

MONTICELLO, Ark. — The cattle herd at the University of Arkansas at Monticello is getting an upgrade, receiving more than two dozen hand-picked Beefmaster cows and calves donated by James and Mary Ann Skelton of Springdale.

Meullenet earns Excellence in Leadership award from Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was recently named the 2022 recipient of the Southern Association of Agricultural Experiment Station Directors’ Excellence in Leadership award.

Fryar: Morrill Acts, GI Bill made huge impacts on growth of U.S.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890 and the 1944 law that became known as the GI Bill had an enormous influence on the growth of the United States through the last two centuries, said Ed Fryar, entrepreneur, former professor and now trustee for the University of Arkansas System.

‘Revolutionary change’ coming in trade law, Mid-South Conference keynote says

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — If the proposed America Competes Act is passed, the United States will see a “revolutionary change in trade law,” Stephen Vaden, judge on the Court of International Trade, told attendees at this year’s Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference.

Farm Bill witnesses urge protection improvements amid high input costs

JONESBORO, Ark. — Eleven witnesses testifying at a Farm Bill field hearing in Arkansas sought stronger protections amid high production costs, as well as support for conservation measures, programs to increase broadband in rural areas and programs to fight hunger.

Water conservation focus of first poultry science research day

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and the Poultry Science Graduate Association hosted the first Poultry Science (POSC) Research Day on May 25 to highlight water conservation efforts throughout the industry.

Crop insurance ratings, precision agriculture focus of Arkansas agricultural economist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With farmers in the national spotlight amid soaring production costs, crop risk mitigation practices like crop insurance and futures options are more important than ever for the nation’s producers of food, fiber and fuel.

Bradley County All-Tomato Luncheon celebrates Arkansas tomatoes

WARREN, Ark. — In Bradley County, the Pink Tomato is more than just Arkansas’ state fruit and vegetable: it’s a cause for celebration. On Saturday, June 11, more than 200 guests gathered at the 63^rd annual All-Tomato Luncheon at First Baptist Church in Warren to celebrate the tomato in its many forms and recognize the local families who grow them.

Environmental stability on Drew Co. Farm receives recognition

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Diversity and environmental stability are among the qualities that led to judges to naming Rocky and Alicia Lindsey, along with their two sons Isaac and Jonah, as the Drew County Farm Family of the Year.

SIDEBAR: Drew County Farm Family’s Lindsey to move into new role

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Rocky Lindsey, veterinarian and associate professor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, will be scaling back his teaching duties. 

Bees need watering too

LITTLE ROCK — When temperatures rise, so does the need for honey bee hydration, said Jon Zawislak, an extension expert in bees and urban entomology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas Department of Agriculture kicks off Arkansas Farmer’s Market Week

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As summer begins in the Natural State, many Arkansans will turn to farmer’s markets for fresh produce and other farm products to feed their families nutritious meals. To recognize the efforts of local growers and markets, Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward delivered Governor Asa Hutchinson’s proclamation of June 12-18 as Arkansas Farmer’s Market Week. 

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences professor named assistant director of Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As an assistant director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Mary Savin will expand collaborative efforts that advance food and agriculture research initiatives on a state and national level.

Entomologist wants to know if invasive mosquitoes, native biting midges make good neighbors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Robert Frost derided the idea that good fences make good neighbors. But what hinders neighborliness among bloodsuckers? Emily McDermott, assistant professor of entomology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, wanted to find out if invasive Asian tiger mosquitoes and native biting midges — commonly called “noseeums” — were inclined to share habitat resources.

June 22 field day talks cotton sustainability on the farm and in the stores

NEWPORT, Ark. — A June 22 field day at the Judd Hill Foundation Farm near Trumann, will feature discussions on why sustainability is important not only to cotton farmers, but also to the brands that use American-grown cotton and their consumers.

Identify, avoid Arkansas’ six venomous snake species this summer

LITTLE ROCK — As summer approaches in the Natural State, many Arkansans will take to hiking trails, campgrounds, lakes, rivers and favorite swimming holes to enjoy time outdoors. While doing so, it’s important to be aware of Arkansas’ native snakes – including six venomous species – and how to avoid them.

Horticulture field day — live — returns after two-year hiatus

HOPE, Ark. — It had been a long, lonely summer or two since the Southwest Research and Extension Center had hosted its premier event, the annual Horticulture Field Day, “live and in-person.” On June 7, however, the doors were open — and growers and agents alike were glad to be back. 

Program aims to improve soil health for northwest Arkansas specialty crops

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture scientists are surveying soils in the first stage of a program to help improve and maintain soil health for northwest Arkansas produce farmers.

Senate to hold Farm Bill field hearing in Jonesboro on June 17

UNDATED — With the 2023 Farm Bill in the works, Arkansans involved in agriculture are invited to attend a U.S. Senate committee field hearing June 17 at Jonesboro.

Hunter vs. landowner: National Agricultural Law Center webinar focuses on who is responsible for injury or damage occurring on leased land

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A New Hampshire hunter who was seriously injured when a tree stand collapsed in 2009 sued the landowner. The hunter dropped the suit when he learned another party owned the tree stand, but how do you determine who is liable for injuries or other legal issues on leased land?

Backyard vineyard a lifeline for Southern Sensation grape

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Sometimes it’s the strays you take home that wind up being the most successful.

SIDEBAR: How diseases shaped today's grapes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two insect-transmitted afflictions, Pierces disease and phylloxera, play different, but significant, roles in the shaping of the Southern Sensations grape.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station presents 2022 RoPE Awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station recognized three research faculty and staff for sustained outstanding performance during a staff appreciation event May 31.

Food science professor Wang chosen as Fulbright Scholar for rice project

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ya-Jane Wang, professor of carbohydrate chemistry in the Department of Food Science, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholarship to teach and conduct research in Brazil.

Agricultural Experiment Station director selected as interim dean for Bumpers College

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station will become interim dean of the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences on July 1.

Longtime Cleveland County extension agent to help new agents as livestock and forages educator

RISON, Ark. — New Cooperative Extension Service agents can face a steep learning curve on the issues that impact their clients. For Les Walz, his new position as Agriculture and Natural Resources Livestock and Forages Educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an opportunity to mentor county agents and teach them about these two major production systems and more.