News - January 2023

China’s expanding swine herd cues demand for soybeans

LITTLE ROCK — Soybeans trended upward Tuesday morning with strong export numbers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Arkansas cattle prices surge as supply falls, demand holds steady

FRIENDSHIP, Ark. — If you ask James Mitchell about the bright side of the 2022 drought, he’ll tell you this: Better now than then.

‘Most Crop Per Drop’ contest rewards Arkansas producers for water efficiency

JONESBORO — When it comes to the annual Arkansas Irrigation Yield Contest, less is always more.

Division of Agriculture guides offer latest research on weed, pest and disease management

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has released the 2023 edition of three publications containing updated research-based recommendations for managing pests, weeds and diseases in row crop agriculture as well as fruit, vegetable and garden production.

Longtime Cooperative Extension Service economist named Farm Foundation Round Table Fellow

LITTLE ROCK — Ron Rainey, professor and assistant vice president for Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, has been named as a Farm Foundation Round Table Fellow.

Winter Forage Conference to focus on coping with drought

EL PASO, Ark. — Drought conditions in 2022 had an extraordinary impact on the cattle industry in Arkansas as well as much of the country. As water supplies became increasingly scarce throughout the summer, pastures and forage stocks throughout the Mid-South and beyond dwindled, and many producers were forced to cull their herds.

Consumers can expect easing of egg prices, but not to 2021 levels

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Egg prices won’t stay high forever, but with no clear end in sight for the current round of highly pathogenic avian flu, prices won’t descend to bargain basement levels, said Jada Thompson, a poultry economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas fruit breeder John R. Clark reflects on 42-year career with Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Take a walk through the fruit section at your local grocery store or farmers market and you’re bound to pick up a grape, peach, nectarine, blackberry or blueberry with John Reuben Clark's figurative fingerprints on it.

Researchers pursue cost-effective method to remotely monitor streamflow in small-scale watersheds

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have developed an economical method to monitor rainwater surges in small streams.

Tax filing season opens Jan. 23; extension offers tips for preparation, filing

LITTLE ROCK — Tax seasons officially starts Jan. 23, when the Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting and processing 2022 tax year returns. For those who haven’t started preparations yet, now is the time to collect documents and understand the changes to tax credits and deductions that may affect their finances.

Researchers receive $1 million grant to develop robotic system to assist poultry processing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The COVID-19 pandemic strained many poultry processing plants as employees became ill. With the help of a $1 million grant, Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers will soon begin designing robotics to help alleviate that potential strain. 

Arkansas Soil & Water Education Conference to showcase best practices, new technologies in soil, water conservation

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Soil and Water Education Conference has been educating Arkansas farmers and other agriculture professionals for a quarter of a century on how to use new technology and practices to improve irrigation efficiency.

Cooperative Extension Service welcomes new soil fertility specialist

LITTLE ROCK — Bronc Finch, the newest soil fertility specialist to join the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, said he is excited to work with colleagues and county agents to help growers in the state.

Soybean breeder Caio Canella Vieira joins Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Soybean breeder Caio Canella Vieira is building a bridge from the past to the future at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.

US hay stocks fall to lowest level since ’74; Arkansas hay production down in 2022

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — High fertilizer prices and drought in 2022 handed hay production in the United States its biggest decline in 11 years with stocks at their lowest level since data collection began, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

USDA: 2022 a near-record year for Arkansas soybean, cotton production; rice, peanut acreage fall significantly

LITTLE ROCK — Despite a second consecutive year with more than 40 percent of the contiguous United States toiling under drought conditions, Arkansas soybean and cotton growers managed to tie or improve their lot in 2022.

Fact sheet provides answers about ad hoc payments to rice farmers

LITTLE ROCK  — Rice farmers with questions about funding contained in the omnibus bill signed last month by President Biden, can find answers in a fact sheet released Friday by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Division of Ag, Bumpers College recognize extension, research, teaching excellence at ag awards

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences on Friday recognized excellence in the three land grant disciplines of extension, research and teaching at their annual Agriculture Awards ceremony.

Division of Agriculture faculty patents recognized at awards ceremony

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — The inventiveness of University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture land grant faculty was recognized Friday through the patents issued for their creations, which included fruit and grain varieties and an irrigation system.

How will the midterms affect ag laws and policy? Jan. 25 webinar discusses the implications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — What impact will the 2022 midterm elections have on agricultural law and policy? Hunt Shipman, principal and director at Cornerstone Government Affairs, will discuss the implications during a webinar Jan. 25.

After a difficult year, Mid-south soybean states keep hope alive for 2023

DUMAS, Ark. — After any three consecutive years of soybean farming in the Mid-South, it’s going to take more than one Biblical plague to make an impression on the pros.

Experts to offer advice in turfgrass management at annual conference

LITTLE ROCK —Turfgrass and landscape experts from Arkansas and beyond will share their expertise in lawn, golf course, park and sports turf management at the 2023 Arkansas Turfgrass Association annual conference Jan. 26-27 at the Hot Springs Convention Center.

Farm Foundation names Malone 2023 Agricultural Economics Fellow

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Trey Malone, an assistant professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, has been named Farm Foundation’s 2023 Agricultural Economics Fellow.

Set savings goals, check financial health in the new year

LITTLE ROCK — At the start of the new year, many people make resolutions related to physical health and fitness, but this can also be a great time to conduct a financial check-up. By calculating net worth, debt-to-income ratio and credit scores, one can better determine fiscal health and set savings goals for the year ahead.

Research team earns NSF entrepreneurship grant for consumer-savvy AI-guided imaging

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Science Foundation awarded an Innovation Corps entrepreneurship grant to an Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station research team for a machine vision system developed using artificial intelligence-guided imaging.

Cooperative Extension Service agents provide professional development training for thousands of Arkansas childcare professionals

LITTLE ROCK — In Arkansas, childcare providers are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of professional development annually. Family and Consumer Sciences Agents with the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, helped meet this need by conducting professional development training online and in person for thousands of childcare providers in 2022.

C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center scores in 5 ‘Best of Biz’ categories

LITTLE ROCK — Winning a title five times in a row is no easy feat, but the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center has managed to win five Best of Biz titles for five consecutive years.

NALC Jan. 18 webinar to provide legislative update on foreign ownership of ag land

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Foreign ownership and investments in U.S. agricultural land have increased to more than 40 million acres in the last decade, making up just over 3 percent of all privately held farmland within the U.S., according to the Farm Service Agency. For many legislators, that increase raises concerns over food supply and national security.

Cooperative Extension Service to co-host Arkansas Business Navigator informational session

BRINKLEY, Ark. — Do you need help growing or expanding your business? Is your business looking for financial assistance, but you don’t know what your options are? Is your inner entrepreneur in need of some guidance? An upcoming event, co-hosted by the Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center, likely has the answers you’re looking for.

Follow important safety guidelines to enjoy outdoor activities

LITTLE ROCK — During the cooler months in Arkansas, there are many opportunities for outdoor fun, such as hunting, camping and riding all-terrain vehicles. While enjoying these activities in the Natural State, it’s important to follow safety guidelines to avoid accidents and injuries.