News - April 2023

Phosphorus runoff studies show importance of stable banks, cover crops

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Spring rains are great for flowers and kayakers, but the season also prompts concern about algae bloom-causing phosphorus runoff into drinking water sources.

Liquid-state poultry litter digester prototype makes struvite, biogas and clean water

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers have assembled a novel prototype system that could help alleviate the issue of excess nutrient runoff in watersheds from poultry litter.

NALC’s 10th annual Mid-South conference features peek into future of ag industry, international trade

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With a decade of highlighting key industry insights, the Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will offer a peek into the future of agriculture and international trade.

Beginning farmers, ranchers increase as total farm numbers decrease

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  An economic analysis of agricultural credit usage and census data conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture can’t tell the whole story of the changing landscape of America’s farms, but a few things stand out.

Miller County extension agent organizes donation drive for Little Rock tornado victims

LITTLE ROCK — For McKenzie Rigdon, the urge to help those affected by the March 31 tornadoes stemmed from personal experience with the harm a tornado can cause.

Extension horticulture specialist receives national recognition

LITTLE ROCK — The American Society for Horticulture Science has recognized Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, for her extensive public education and outreach efforts.

Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour offers professional development, networking opportunities for college students 

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansas college juniors and seniors studying agriculture-related majors, the Cooperative Extension Service’s Future Ag Leaders Tour provides a first-hand look at careers in the agriculture industry — the No. 1 employer in the state. 

Greene County Extension breaks ground on new office in Paragould 

PARAGOULD, Ark. — Cooperative Extension Service staff, local elected officials and community members gathered April 19 at the future site of the new Greene County Extension Office in Paragould. The groundbreaking ceremony highlighted the collaboration between the city of Paragould and Greene County to support the mission of extension in the community.

Division of Agriculture releases high-yielding Clearfield medium-grain rice variety amid increased medium-grain demand

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station has released a new high-yielding medium-grain Clearfield^® rice cultivar at a time of elevated U.S. demand for medium-grain rice.

Rice planting rockets ahead for northeastern Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — For the first season in several years, Arkansas rice growers, particularly in northeastern Arkansas, are far ahead of schedule. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the state’s growers had planted 33 percent of their 1.2 million planned rice acres as of April 16 — about two-thirds better than the five-year average of 20 percent for this point in the season.

Ahrendsen receives USDA Economists Group Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Bruce Ahrendsen, an agricultural economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was recently presented the Bruce Gardner Award by the USDA Economists Group for his innovative work.

Strawberry growers need to keep a close eye on temperatures this weekend

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’s strawberry growers may be reaching for the plant covers this weekend as an approaching cold front threatens to drop overnight temperatures into the 30s on Friday and Saturday in northern Arkansas.

Record number of Poultry Chain participants learning animal husbandry, flock management

LONOKE, Ark. — The sound of 38,000 peeping chicks filled the air at the Lonoke County Fairgrounds on April 12 as the birds awaited their distribution to more than 2,000 youth across Arkansas. 

NALC webinar to detail critical differences in Emergency Relief Program Phase 2

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The second phase of a program to help farmers offset the effects of natural disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021 is open for enrollment until June 2, but farmers should know that Phase 2 of the Emergency Relief Program, or ERP, is not like Phase 1.

Cooperative Extension Service welcomes new assistant vice president of 4-H and Youth Development

LITTLE ROCK — Debbie Nistler, extension’s new assistant vice president of 4-H and youth development for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is a 4-H alumna and proud member of a “4-H family.” 

Research uses nanotechnology to boost dietary value of 3D printed foods

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ali Ubeyitogullari is using an advanced nanotechnology to increase the nutritional value of 3D printed foods.

Food scientist improves plant-based protein processing for meat, dairy substitutes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food scientist and grain processing engineer Mahfuzur Rahman uses soundwaves and other technologies to improve plant-based meat and dairy substitutes.

Poultry science researcher awarded grant to help develop vaccine against costly disease

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers in Arkansas are beginning research to help develop a new broiler chicken vaccine targeting a disease that causes millions of dollars in losses each year.

While cattle prices continue to rise, high production costs, inflation undercut profits

LITTLE ROCK — It’s true: Cattle market prices are at what some analysts have called “historic highs.” Unfortunately, profits are not.

Arkansas Food Freedom Act focus of workshops for specialty crop producers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Plan. Produce. Profit. That’s the message from a series of spring workshops, facilitated by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Law Center, that will provide needed knowledge for Arkansas specialty crop producers to operate within the Arkansas Food Freedom Act. 

Former Extension Director David Foster remembered as fair, consummate professional

FAIRFIELD BAY, Ark. — David Foster, director of the Cooperative Extension Service from 1991-2000, is being remembered as a visionary and consummate professional who helped lead the land-grant organization into the 21^st century.

Arkansas soybean, corn growers now eligible for Margin Protection insurance

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas soybean and corn producers are now eligible for Margin Protection insurance under an expansion announced by the Risk Management Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

North Dakota judge blocks new WOTUS rule for 24 states, including Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal judge in North Dakota has issued an injunction against the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent rule defining waters of the United States in a case covering 24 states, including Arkansas.

Forest management workshop to focus on white oak woodlands

BATESVILLE, Ark. — An upcoming workshop aims to help forest managers better understand white oak woodlands in the Ozark region, from improving the health of the habitat to selling harvested timber.

Bald Knob restaurants’ shortcakes a bellwether for strawberry season

BALD KNOB, Ark.  — When shortcake is back on the menu at the Farmhouse Café, it’s a sure sign that strawberry season in Arkansas has begun.

Herbicide drift study validates EPA prediction models, provides new recommendations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Farmers and agricultural aviators may be able to reduce herbicide drift by making simple adjustments, according to a recently published study.

Arkansas growers lay out the season ahead

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas growers expect to plant approximately 52,000 more acres of principal crops in 2023 than they did in 2022, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report published March 31. While this is only a small ripple amidst the state’s 7 million acres of farmland, it reflects the encouragement of rallying markets in 2022, tempered by high input costs and unpredictable weather.

New small ruminants specialist plans to lead from the ground up

LITTLE ROCK — After growing up in rural Brazil and conducting research at several universities there, in Europe and the United States, Dan Quadros said he is ready to bring three things to Arkansas: motivation, innovation and confidence.

Mid-South Ag & Environmental Law Conference marks 10th year; features solid issues lineup and establishes scholarship

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will mark its 10th year on June 8-9 with something new: establishment of a memorial scholarship to help bring new talent to the field of agricultural law.

ARKANSAS TORNADO

How to help children cope with disaster

LITTLE ROCK — After a devastating tornado struck parts of central and eastern Arkansas on March 31, many children may be experiencing confusion, sadness or fear about the disaster.

Whitaker’s interest in helping youth translated into a first-class animal science center

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Pauline Whitaker’s desire to make life better for children in northwest Arkansas has played out in many ways, including the construction of the animal science center that bears her name at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

2023 Arkansas farm income expected to retreat following record year

UNDATED — Arkansas’ farm income is expected to fall in 2023 following 2022’s record high, and the decline is expected to exceed the national rate, the Rural & Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center said Monday.

ARKANSAS TORNADO

Disaster recovery: What to do about insurance, documents, taxes

LITTLE ROCK — One of the most difficult parts of disaster recovery is managing the paperwork that follows.