News - March 2022

Arkansas growers go in strong for cotton and soybean, pull back from corn

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas growers intend to plant significantly more cotton and soybean acres in 2022, while greatly reducing corn acreage, according to the 2022 Prospective Plantings report released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Phosphorus supplements may not be needed for heifers grazing high-P pastures

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Cattle grazing pastures with high soil-test phosphorus may be getting enough of the nutrient from the grass to eliminate the need for a phosphorus feed additive, according to Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research.

How to avoid romance scams while online dating

LITTLE ROCK — In the digital age, navigating online dating websites and apps can feel like a minefield, especially as romance scams have become more prevalent. Going into online dating with open eyes is key to avoiding falling victim to one of these hoaxes.

Former Cooperative Extension Service director inducted into Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame

LITTLE ROCK — Former Cooperative Extension Service Director Rick Cartwright is among the latest crop of individuals to be inducted into the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame for their contributions to the state’s largest industry.

New survey open to gauge consumer awareness, use of Arkansas-made wines

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Quality Wine program is rolling out a follow-up to its 2021 survey to help gauge consumer awareness and consumption of commercially produced, Arkansas-made wine.

Survey finds grape variety an important factor in wine selection for Arkansas wine consumers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When it comes to choosing a wine, Arkansans look to three factors: cost, place of origin and grape variety, according to a survey conducted by the Arkansas Quality Wine program.

Statewide rainfall unlikely to phase field prep efforts

LITTLE ROCK — Despite a daylong deluge that reached almost every corner of the state Tuesday, field preparation efforts, particularly those in the Delta region of Arkansas, will likely be unaffected, for better or worse.

Inflation, war in Ukraine prompt revisions in crop enterprise budgets

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Economists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have revised enterprise crop budgets for the 2022 growing season, adjusting for significant changes in fuel, fertilizer and commodity prices.

Women’s History Month: Cooperative Extension Service celebrates service of women agents

LITTLE ROCK — For the month of March — Women’s History Month — the Cooperative Extension Service is recognizing the integral role women have played in fulfilling extension’s mission since its inception in 1914.

City Council member, mayor and more: Monroe County Extension administrative specialist Diane Cunningham serves constituents for nearly 45 years

CLARENDON, Ark. — For more than four decades, Diane Cunningham has served the people of Monroe County. During that time, she has served both as a Clarendon City Council member and — currently — the city’s mayor. And for nearly 45 years, she has helped generations of farmers and their families as an administrative specialist at the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service.

Beef Quality Assurance certification course set for May 13 in Magnolia

MAGNOLIA Ark. — Arkansas ranchers will have an opportunity on May 13 to either earn certification in the Beef Quality Assurance program or be re-certified during an event led by faculty and staff from the Cooperative Extension Service and Southern Arkansas University.

Extension Tips: Don’t let gas prices wreck your budget

LITTLE ROCK — With gas prices hitting new all-time highs in March, Arkansans are feeling the pinch on their pocketbooks at the pumps.

As Canadian rail strike looms, potash prices likely to continue to rise in U.S. as demand shifts ‘from rail to river’

LITTLE ROCK — If a Canadian Pacific Railway strike becomes a reality on Sunday, U.S. farmers north of Arkansas who normally rely on rail freight to deliver fertilizer may end up seeking inputs via river routes from the south — increasing demand on an already pricey necessity.

Pacific GeneTech plans Arkansas production facility for animal vaccine licensed from Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research on animal vaccines for economically important pathogens such as Salmonella, Eimeria and Avian influenza has led to a new manufacturing and business development by Pacific GeneTech.

Tailwater recovery research shows significant water savings in row rice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers are steadily improving water conservation tactics. They can now grow rice with about half the irrigation water used in levee rice systems.

Future of Food Fellowship application deadline extended

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  The deadline for application to the Future of Food: Opportunities and Careers for Undergraduate Students Fellowship Program has been extended to March 28.

Luke Howard retires after 24 years investigating hidden health benefits of food

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Luke Howard devoted his career to teasing out the hidden health-inducing properties of foods. He investigated the isolation and use of naturally occurring phytochemicals that can turn ordinary foods into health-boosting “functional foods.”

Division of Agriculture to offer remote produce safety training

LITTLE ROCK — For produce growers, keeping their farms free of microbial contamination and reducing foodborne illness outbreaks is key to the success of their crop and business. To support these efforts, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer a two-day, remote produce safety training workshop for fruit and vegetable growers, providing important information on best practices, risk management and regulatory requirements.

Potential potash, phosphate shortage latest ingredient to ‘perfect storm’ for growers, economists, soil experts say

LITTLE ROCK — A potential halt to rail traffic in Canada could further hinder spring planting in North America if a labor dispute is not resolved within the next week.

UAM student among 11 chosen for Cooperative Extension Service internship

MONTICELLO, Ark. — After nearly a 20-year absence, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service is bringing back its college internship program. One of the 11 students chosen to participate in the 2022 program is Rayvin Callaway, a University of Arkansas at Monticello student.

Researchers investigate health impacts of residual pesticides on wild bees

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Farmers know not to apply pesticides on their fields during flowering season when bees are present. But wild bees can come into contact with pesticide residues, in some cases, for months after spraying.

Arkansas 4-H teams win top spots at Mid-South 4-H Food Pantry Competition

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — In communities with limited access to food or grocery stores, it can be difficult to create a nutritious meal on a tight budget. Four Arkansas teams tested this skill — and emerged victorious — at the Mid-South 4-H Food Pantry Competition on Saturday, Feb. 26 as part of the 2022 Mid-South Farm and Gin Show.

APHIS confirms avian flu in wild birds in Mississippi flyway

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been found in all four of the flyways of North America, according to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Cooperative Extension Service 2022 summer interns announced

LITTLE ROCK — As college students prepare to enter the workforce, those with a passion for agriculture and helping others are searching for hands-on ways to apply their skills. The Cooperative Extension Service recently created a new learning opportunity for students at this intersection of interests.

Fields, Meullenet named as finalists in UA System VP for Agriculture search

LITTLE ROCK — A search committee to find the next vice president for agriculture for the University of Arkansas System named two internal candidates as finalists who will participate in formal interviews and public presentations during the next month.

Arkansas’ Sartor recognized by Mississippi State University as a Distinguished Fellow

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Martha Ray Sartor, associate vice president for both the Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H programs in Arkansas, has been named a Distinguished Fellow for the School of Human Sciences by Mississippi State University.

March 17’s clovers are a cue to help Arkansas 4-H

FERNDALE, Ark.  —  When you see March 17’s clovers come out, that’s a cue to think about supporting the Arkansas 4-H youth development program, said John Thomas, managing director, for the Arkansas 4-H Foundation.

Deadly H5N1 avian influenza creeping closer to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A deadly strain of avian flu is creeping closer to Arkansas, having claimed a commercial broiler flock in southeastern Missouri.

Three webinars about deadly H5N1 avian influenza for small flock owners set for March 9, 19, 31

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As a deadly strain of avian influenza closes in on Arkansas, Arkansas extension veterinarian Dustan Clark will be hosting three webinars for small flock owners on March 9, 19 and 31.

March 23 National Agricultural Law Center webinar will provide insight on carbon contracts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Soil carbon contracts are unlike other contracts signed by farmers and ranchers, and present new challenges and questions. As a result, these contracts will be the focus of the National Agricultural Law Center’s webinar, “Considering Carbon: Understanding the Legalities of Soil Carbon Sequestration Contracts,” on March 23, at noon EDT/11 a.m. CDT.

Janet B. Carson Master Gardener Scholarship available for high school seniors  

LITTLE ROCK — As Arkansas high school seniors finalize plans for secondary education this spring, those interested in pursuing plant science degrees may benefit from a scholarship opportunity available through the Arkansas Master Gardener Program.

Rowbothams honored with Family Farm Environmental Excellence Award

HAGARVILLE, Ark. —Theron and Jeanie Rowbotham call their operation Infinity Ranch for a reason: they are in agriculture for the long run.

Zawislak appointed assistant professor of apiculture, urban entomology for the Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — Had it not been for the honey bee, Jon Zawislak might be working in a newsroom.

Russia-Ukraine conflict will likely mean hardship, opportunity for agricultural producers

LITTLE ROCK — The Russian invasion of Ukraine is causing “gut-wrenching” volatility in grain markets and pushing already high prices for fertilizer and diesel even higher, economists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said this week.

Future of dicamba, 2023 Farm Bill on agenda at June 10 Mid-South Agricultural & Environmental Law Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Pesticide use, foreign ownership of farmland and the 2023 Farm Bill are among the hot topics on the agenda for the ninth annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference on June 10 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Future of Food Fellowship Program seeks food science crossover undergraduates

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Future of Food: Opportunities and Careers for Undergraduate Students (F²OCUS) Fellowship Program is a new 10-week, summer research and extension opportunity coming to Fayetteville in 2022. Deadline for application is March 11.

Reviton, Rogue receive EPA labels for Arkansas, offer growers new tools in time for spring burndown

LITTLE ROCK — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new labels for two herbicides, offering growers new tools for the 2022 growing season.

Don Hubbell receives honors from Research Center Administrators Society

NEW ORLEANS — Don Hubbell, of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been recognized for his service by the Research Center Administrators Society during its meeting Feb. 13-15, 2022.

Reid, Davlin receive honors from Research Center Administrators Society

NEW ORLEANS — Gerald Reid and Joe Davlin, both of The Ohio State University, have been recognized for their service by the Research Center Administrators Society during its meeting Feb. 13-15.

Irrigation, water management schools planned for 2022

STUTTGART, Ark. – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture irrigation team will host a series of irrigation and water management schools for Arkansas producers seeking to reduce their water use in 2022.