News - August 2023

Arkansas 4-H receives first donation of $50,000 pledge from Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — The C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center has long been a gathering place for camps, conferences and more. Soon, the location will be even more welcoming.

50-year-old Endangered Species Act finally has a manual for farmers thanks to the National Ag Law Center

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A half-century after Richard Nixon signed it into law, the Endangered Species Act now has a user manual to help farmers, thanks to the National Agricultural Law Center.

SIDEBAR: EPA’s Endangered Species Act-driven pesticide strategy may increase impacts on ag

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Environmental Protection Agency’s new strategy for pesticide registrations, driven by Endangered Species Act-related court rulings, may multiply impacts on agriculture, said Brigit Rollins, staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center. 

EPA issues post-Sackett WOTUS rule, removes numerous waterways from Clean Water Act regulation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The highly anticipated new waters of the United States, or WOTUS, rule released Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency will remove scores of water bodies from regulation under the Clean Water Act.

Corn basis following Mississippi River levels downward

LITTLE ROCK — Corn basis is sinking along with the levels of the Mississippi River as drought grips the upper reaches of the river and many of its tributaries.

Street retires as director of design and construction for Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After more than 32 years with the University of Arkansas System, Dan Street is hanging up his hard hat as director of design and construction for the Division of Agriculture. 

‘Keep the air moving, keep the water cool’ to help poultry flocks survive summer heat

LITTLE ROCK — With the extreme heat felt across much of the United States this summer, agricultural producers need to take measures not just to protect themselves and their laborers, but also their crops and livestock as well.

Melonworm threatens Arkansas pumpkins, growers should scout now through October

LITTLE ROCK – With fall approaching, Arkansas pumpkin growers are nearing harvest. But while fruit ripens on the vines, growers should be on the lookout for melonworm. 

More than just mortgages: Interest rate hikes affect farming too

LITTLE ROCK — Expect one more interest rate hike before the end of the year, says Ryan Loy, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

2023 Arkansas Agriculture Profile paints portrait of recovering industry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 2023 edition of the Arkansas Agriculture Profile shows that the state’s largest industry is not only making a post-COVID comeback, but it’s also growing, the authors said.

UA-Monticello scholarship honors former dean, center director Kelly Bryant
MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello's College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources is honoring the legacy of Kelly Bryant, its former dean of agriculture, by naming an endowed scholarship for him

Shooting at the broad side of barnyardgrass with fenclorim

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A recent technology licensing agreement between the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Pennsylvania-based UPL Ltd. is expected to bring relief to rice farmers fighting herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass, and potentially other weeds, without the need for an herbicide-tolerance genetic trait in the plant.

Food safety heavy hitters to converge on northwest Arkansas for annual conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With sessions on blockchain, farm-to-fork pet food and “Between the Bun” — a look at food safety in plant-based meats — the 15^th annual Arkansas Association for Food Protection conference Sept. 26-28 at Fayetteville will showcase food safety innovation and research.

June Mann, widow of former Cotton Council president, Arkansas cotton farmer Lon Mann, dies at 93

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — June Beasley Mann, a supporter of land grant agriculture whose husband was honored with the naming of the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station Marianna, has died at age 93.

Keith Stokes remembered as avid supporter of agriculture, for his willingness to serve others

DARDANELLE, Ark. — The first things you noticed about Keith Stokes were the kind eyes and smile that always shone below the broad brim of his cowboy hat.

Farmers for Tomorrow fundraiser set for Sept. 14 at Center for Arkansas Farms and Food

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food will hold a fundraising event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, to support the Farmers for Tomorrow fund, a program to help aspiring farmers start their small farm businesses.

New poultry extension specialist brings love of teaching to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Poultry science extension specialist Zac Williams is passionate about education, both in the poultry house and in the classroom.

Registration opens Aug. 28 for Walk Across Arkansas Fall 2023

LITTLE ROCK — As families resume their busy back-to-school schedules, it’s important to take time to exercise. Walk Across Arkansas, an eight-week, group-based exercise program from the Cooperative Extension Service, is designed to help Arkansans get moving and collaborate with peers. 

Cooperative Extension Service receives CDC High Obesity Program funding

LITTLE ROCK — In many rural Arkansas counties, access to healthy food, nutrition education and safe places for physical activity are limited, contributing to higher rates of obesity. To help improve these conditions, the Cooperative Extension Service has received a five-year, $4 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s High Obesity Program.

Updates in soybean and rice research featured at Pine Tree Field Day

COLT, Ark. — The Pine Tree Field Day, hosted Aug. 10 by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, featured research updates in two of the state’s biggest agriculture arenas: rice and soybeans.

While corn condition across the country suffers, Arkansas crop appears strong

LITTLE ROCK — Despite a significant dip in mid-season corn condition across the United States, growers in Arkansas may be heading toward a significantly stronger harvest.

Income Tax School offers in-person, virtual training for advanced income tax preparation

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansans interested in advanced income tax preparation, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer five in-person and virtual Income Tax School training courses later this year. 

Arkansas blackberry breeder will develop new tools to unlock consumer preference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Despite leaps in Arkansas blackberry breeding over the past few decades, there is still room for advancement with the help of genomewide association mapping, consumer panels and a machine with a mouthful of a name — a gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometer.

Arkansas agriculture agents want to hear how you use extension farm, livestock, garden resources

LITTLE ROCK — Extension agriculture agents from all 75 Arkansas counties want to know how their constituents use the livestock, forage and gardening resources of the Cooperative Extension Service, and have opened a survey for feedback.

Hammerhead worms, jumping worms lives entwined, researchers find

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers have found that two invasive species of worms that attracted national attention thanks to their “ewwww factor,” have something in common, said Vic Ford, extension head of agriculture and natural resources for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Southeast Arkansas youth receive show ring coaching

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Heidi Parrish takes care of her animals on a small farm outside of Judsonia, Arkansas.  She has a couple of heifers, a steer, a donkey, chickens, and a Guinea.  She’s been showing her steer Trampus and heifer Sassy at county and state fairs for the last three years with reasonable success. This year, however, she decided she is ready for a change and bought her first sheep, named Pringles

Heavy rains drub ripening rice in eastern Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas rice farmers in northeastern Arkansas were checking their fields for losses after storms on Thursday dumped more than 6 inches of rain; a less-than-ideal situation for a crop so near to harvest.

Future of Food fellowship opens students’ eyes to possibilities in food industry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture program is opening more eyes to the possibilities of careers in food science.

Aug. 23 NALC webinar to detail the USDA Discrimination Financial Assistance Program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened a program to provide funds for farmers who experienced discrimination in its farm loan programs. To help potential recipients navigate the complex application, the National Agricultural Law Center is hosting a webinar on Aug. 23.

Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge teams compete to create healthy, tasty meals on a budget

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — In many rural Arkansas communities, access to fresh, nutritious food is limited and creating healthy meals on a budget presents a challenge. Arkansas 4-H youth from around the state rose to the occasion recently, putting their cooking skills to the test at the Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge on Aug. 4. 

Gene editing improves grain quality and reduces heat stress in rice

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As global temperatures continue to rise, maintaining the quality and yield of crops adapted to lower temperatures will increasingly become a challenge.

Rice farming industry gathers for Arkansas Rice Field Day

STUTTGART, Ark. — With the '23 harvest approaching, rice farmers and industry professionals took some time to regroup at the Arkansas Rice Field Day.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Plan in advance, get children involved with preparing nutritious school lunches and weeknight meals

LITTLE ROCK — With busy family schedules, it can be difficult for parents to find time to prepare nutritious lunches and afterschool snacks, and weeknight meals can often involve a fast-food drive-through. Planning, creativity and getting children involved with meal prep can help develop healthy eaters for life and ease parents’ stress. 

Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center celebrates 25 years

STUTTGART, Ark. — Administrators with the University of Arkansas System of Agriculture and other institutions gathered in Stuttgart earlier this week to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center.

Arkansas Turfgrass Field Day returns in person after four years

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Aside from a hook or slice, a lot can go wrong on a golf course, with pathogens that cause problems like “dollar spot” and water-repellent soil that can impact performance. 

Truth in advertising: NALC webinar to discuss alternative enforcement methods

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Claims about misleading food advertising are typically made to federal agencies, the courts, or the manufacturer, but there is another avenue – BBB National Programs' National Advertising Division, a nonprofit organization that provides information and ratings on businesses and charities.

MEDIA ADVISORY: 2023 Arkansas Rice Field Day set for Thursday, Aug. 3 

STUTTGART, Ark. —  From production to policy, the 2023 Rice Field Day will hit all the big topics for Arkansas rice growers, consultants and agriculture professionals.