News - May 2023

Cooperative Extension Service to host artificial insemination training course for cattle producers

HOPE, Ark. — For producers interested in improving their cattle through artificial insemination, the Cooperative Extension Service is offering a two-day training course on June 8-9. 

Cooperative Extension Service welcomes new professor of organizational accountability and evaluation

LITTLE ROCK — Jeantyl Norze, a new extension associate professor of Organizational Accountability and Evaluation for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said he looks forward to increasing the visibility of extension, particularly in urban communities. 

Supreme Court WOTUS ruling narrows definition of wetlands, but what about levees?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling this week narrowed the definition of what is considered “waters of the United States” in the Clean Water Act. But there remains room for discussion on wetlands separated by levees for flood control and dry creek beds, said the National Agricultural Law Center’s Brigit Rollins. 

When barge traffic slows, soybean basis suffers

LITTLE ROCK — River high, river low — for growers looking to sell grain at cash market prices, halted barge traffic on the Mississippi River is bad news, whatever the cause.

Scientists assemble first complete genetic sequence for blackberries

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An international team of scientists has assembled the first complete sequence of the blackberry genome, creating a genetic tool that will help guide fruit breeders to develop new varieties with improved flavor, hardiness and other desired characteristics.

Division of Agriculture announces LeadAR Class 20 members

LITTLE ROCK — LeadAR, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s leadership program, has selected 21 Arkansans from around the state as members of Class 20. The 18-month program provides an in-depth learning experience about economic and social issues impacting Arkansas.

Arkansas hops researchers seek maximum yield and cone quality

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and microbrewery partners across the state are exploring Southern-grown hops and their unique characteristics for beer brewing.

Arkansas 4-H teams compete, place at 2023 International SeaPerch Challenge in Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — For students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the SeaPerch Challenge is an opportunity to practice these skills through building and piloting an underwater robot. Three Arkansas 4-H teams tested their remotely operated vehicles at the International SeaPerch Challenge on May 13. 

Novel wastewater disinfection technology aims to reduce water usage in poultry production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Poultry scientists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are testing new technology aimed at reducing the substantial amount of water typically used to process chicken for consumers.

Fruits, veggies and turfgrass focus of 2023 Horticulture Field Day in Hope

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Research results on vegetable, fruit and turfgrass field trials will be presented June 28 during the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's 2023 Horticulture Field Day at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope. 

Poultry house of tomorrow online today for Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  The poultry house of tomorrow is ready for research at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

NALC’s Rollins to discuss pesticides during May 24 Mid-South 'Early Bird' session

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Years of controversy, recent litigation and amended regulation of agricultural pesticides are changing and molding the farming landscape, including for the Mid-South region of the U.S.

Texas-to-Arkansas summer externship to bolster ag research, food science jobs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Entomologist Rupesh Kariyat developed a summer externship program with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to empower Hispanic student researchers of agriculture and food science.

Extension director Scott to return to faculty; Division of Agriculture to initiate nationwide search

LITTLE ROCK — Bob Scott, director of the Cooperative Extension Service, has announced his intention to return to faculty, and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will initiate a nationwide search to replace him, Deacue Fields, head of the Division of Agriculture, said on Monday.

Fertilizer Recommendation Support Tool development gets boost in USDA funding

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Efficient and profitable farming depends on accurate soil testing, but fertilizer recommendations for the same batch of soil differ across the nation. A coordinated effort from researchers across the United States seeks to solve that problem.

Mid-South speaker bringing environmental law expertise, Supreme Court experience to NALC’s 10th annual conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — What’s it like arguing an agricultural law case before the U.S. Supreme Court? Attorney Tim Bishop will share his experiences as part of the 10th Annual Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, June 8-9, hosted by the National Agricultural Law Center.

Woman who grew up 7 miles from Rohwer Research Station named its new director

ROHWER, Ark. — Linda Martin grew up just 7 miles from the Rohwer Research Station, and worked there as a high school student when she was 16. Now she’s the resident director at the research facility in Desha County.

How scientists developed a robotic hand to pick blackberries in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Imagine an autonomous bi-pedal robot with 10 arms, each tipped with three-fingered silicone grippers picking its way through rows of blackberries, and you’ll have an idea of what the future could hold for blackberry farms facing a labor shortage.

Division of Agriculture breaks ground for new rice center at Greenfield

GREENFIELD, Ark. — More than 220 people found their way to the Poinsett County site along Arkansas Highway 1 to witness a groundbreaking for the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, a facility intended to keep the state’s rice industry strong and help the public better understand how their food is produced

NALC webinar on May 17 to highlight antitrust litigation in major protein sectors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Over the past decade, various agricultural sectors have been subject to allegations of anti-competitive behavior.

Groundbreaking for NE Rice Research and Extension Center set for Tuesday

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 9.

May 18 event to provide matchmaking opportunities for vendors and minority- and women-owned businesses 

New customers are critical to any business, and a May 18 matchmaking event will offer opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to connect with public and private sector vendors. 

If the grass is greener on your neighbor’s lawn, it may not be grass

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — If you’re suffering from lawn envy, comparing your brown yard to the green one next door, take a closer look, said Wendell Hutchens, assistant professor-turfgrass science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Cooperative Extension Service announces 2023 summer interns

LITTLE ROCK — For college students with a passion for agriculture and helping others, the Cooperative Extension Service’s internship program offers a hands-on opportunity to learn about the roles of extension agents.

May 9 groundbreaking set for new rice center at Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, Ark.  — A groundbreaking ceremony May 9 will usher in a new land-grant research and extension center to serve the unique needs of rice growers in northeast Arkansas.

Division of Agriculture teams with Arkansas brewery to promote environmental stewardship

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is teaming up with one of the state’s beer producers to promote awareness of stormwater runoff and its effects on natural waterways.

Surging high or record low, Mississippi River levels weigh down soybean basis

LITTLE ROCK — Soybean growers might want to take a wait-and-see approach to contracting this spring until the Mississippi River is done carrying melted snowpack downstream, said Hunter Biram, extension economist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Can Arkansas rice make non-alcoholic beer better?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The growing demand for non-alcoholic beer has spurred new research using Arkansas-grown aromatic rice to expand flavor profiles of non-alcoholic beer, a category that has grown beyond “near beer” in recent years.

Arkansas 4-H photographers capture landscapes, animals in photo contest

LITTLE ROCK — Ready for her close-up, a handsome brown cow and the intricate textures of her tawny hair are the focus of nine-year-old Evelynn Wallace’s photo, which won Best in Show at the 2023 Ross Photography Contest.

Fields: Strengthening rural Arkansas is Division of Agriculture’s land-grant mission

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Improving conditions in rural Arkansas is the land-grant mission work done every day by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

New findings indicate gene-edited rice might survive in Martian soil

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Andy Weir’s bestselling 2011 book, “The Martian,” features botanist Mark Watney’s efforts to grow food on Mars after he becomes stranded there. While Watney’s initial efforts focus on growing potatoes, new research presented at the 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference by a team of interdisciplinary researchers from the University of Arkansas suggests future Martian botanists like Watney may have a better option: growing rice.

Colorado passes first right-to-repair law; others could follow

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — Colorado’s first-in-the-nation law allowing farmers to repair their own equipment could be “the first chink in the armor” that has allowed only manufacturers to complete some repairs, said Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center.

Cooperative Extension Service to offer remote produce safety training for fruit and vegetable growers

LITTLE ROCK — Keeping produce free of microbial contamination and reducing foodborne illness is critical to the success of commercial growers. To support these efforts, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer a remote, two-day produce safety training workshop for fruit and vegetable growers.