News - August 2024

Early days of rice, corn harvests near record pace

LITTLE ROCK — The first few phone calls an agronomist receives during harvest tend to say a lot about how the fall will go. For Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the news has been overwhelmingly good this year.

55 years later, earliest African-American undergraduate of UA’s College of Agriculture receives overdue honors

LITTLE ROCK — When Harold Betton received his diploma and became the earliest known African-American undergraduate of the University of Arkansas College of Agriculture in 1969, something was missing. 

2024 Avian Influenza Summit to address virus’ impacts on global health beyond poultry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While surges in colds, flu and even COVID may come and go, agricultural producers are always on the lookout for avian influenza — and not just in poultry flocks. In 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected not only in birds, but cattle, swine and humans as well.

Crittenden County Farmers Market celebrates final event of inaugural season Sept. 14

MARION, Ark. — Community members from Marion, West Memphis and surrounding areas will have one last chance to visit the new Crittenden County Farmers Market at its final event of the season on Sept. 14. The market will feature a seed swap, a free yoga session and a touch-a-truck event for families.

Unique chicken line advances research on autoimmune disease that affects humans

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A unique chicken breed is helping researchers better understand vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that affects 1-2 percent of the world’s population.

Sowing support: Farmers for Tomorrow fundraiser to benefit aspiring farmers 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, CAFF, is hosting the annual Farmers for Tomorrow Benefit Happy Hour on Thursday, Sept. 12. The Farmers for Tomorrow Fund assists aspiring farmers in launching their businesses.

'Growing Careers' webinar will focus on how to start, run ag law student associations

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Law students interested in agricultural law have student associations available to them for networking, learning and other career opportunities, they just have to know where to look — or, how to build one.

Aug. 30 grand opening set for NE Rice Research and Extension Center

LITTLE ROCK — VIPs from the agriculture industry and academia will be cutting the ribbon for the Aug. 30 grand opening of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center.

Arkansas black bear populations are on the rise … slowly

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Black bear population are slowly rising in the bottom land hardwood forest of southern and eastern Arkansas according to wildlife expert, Don White, Jr.

Abundance of timber, slower housing market forecast keeps prices soft, cuts margins for loggers

MONTICELLO, Ark. — A nearly twofold increase in standing timber in Arkansas, coupled with a decline in housing demand, is keeping prices soft and tightening margins for loggers, according to economists at the Arkansas Center for Forest Business. 

Muscadines repeat as top wine in state competition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Muscadines again rose to the top in the Arkansas Quality Wine competition, a testament to the skills of state’s vintners handling this beloved and somewhat quirky and cantankerous grape.

Entomologist takes love of insects on the road

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Austin Jones wants the world to know that there’s so much more to insects and arthropods than creatures that sting or ruin your picnics, and he’s taking that message on the road.

Arkansas initiative advances organic farming, diversity 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With U.S. organic food sales topping $63 billion last year, the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food wants to help Arkansas farmers grab a larger share of that market. 

Looming railroad, port strikes could be additional blow for ag in already difficult fall

JONESBORO, Ark. — Potential labor strikes against Canadian railways and at ports in the United States could intensify an already difficult fall for agriculture.

Study shows successful use of ChatGPT in ag education

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT show promise as a useful means in agriculture to write simple computer programs for microcontrollers, according to a study published this month.

NASS forecasts new record soybean yield for Arkansas  

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is on track to break its year-old record for soybeans, as the National Agricultural Statistics Service on Monday forecast a statewide 57-bushel-per-acre average yield, up three bushels per acre from last year.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls several infant products for choking, fall hazards 

LITTLE ROCK — Parents of infants and young children should immediately stop using four products recalled Aug. 1 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for fall, suffocation and ingestion hazards.

USDA-NIFA awards $300K to study food safety, plant pathogens and pests in hydroponics

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming gain a greater foothold in modern agriculture, a new $300,000 grant aims to enhance hydroponic lettuce production.

2024 Southern Soybean Breeders Tour to spolight mid-South's opportunities, challenges

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.  — The Arkansas Soybean Breeding program invites all breeders, researchers, growers, and industry professionals to the 2024 Southern Soybean Breeders Tour for an in-depth exploration of the latest research, trials and innovations in soybean breeding across the Mid-South.

Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center hosts inaugural Rice Field Day

HARRISBURG, Ark. — The new Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg welcomed more than 250 attendees to its inaugural rice field day to hear region-specific updates from researchers and extension specialists.

Extension staff recognized for community, economic development achievements

LITTLE ROCK — The National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals has recognized University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture extension program associates for achievements in community and economic development.

Low Mississippi River levels expected to amplify weaker basis at harvest time

LITTLE ROCK — If forecasts hold, the Mississippi River level at Memphis, Tennessee, will again fall below zero as harvest season takes hold, raising the specter of the last two seasons’ higher freight rates, piled up grain and weaker basis.

2024 Rice Field Day updates producers on latest research, rice breeding

STUTTGART, Ark. — More than 350 people attended the 2024 Rice Field Day at the Rice Research and Extension Center on Aug. 1 to hear research updates on rice breeding, precision agriculture and weed control.

Economic impact of Arkansas timber damage from May tornadoes estimated at $89 million

MONTICELLO, Ark. — In May Arkansas saw a record number of tornadoes touch down in our state causing an estimated $89 million in total economic impacts and potential environmental risk associated with the forest damage experienced in five northern counties.

Registration for fall’s Walk Across Arkansas to open Aug. 26

LITTLE ROCK — The registration date for the Cooperative Extension Service’s biannual health initiative, Walk Across Arkansas, is fast approaching. Individual Arkansans are encouraged to form teams in their respective workplaces, neighborhoods or other communities and join the effort on Aug. 26.

Listen up: New economics podcast aimed at farmers

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas agricultural extension economists have launched a new weekly podcast aimed at giving farmers an earful — in a good way.

White County 4-H team wins Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Aug. 2, 124 participants from 36 teams put their food and nutrition knowledge — and cooking skills — to the test at the Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge.

Armed to Farm programs help military veterans, establish connections

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Veterans and other beginning farmers face numerous challenges getting into agriculture. Much goes into the development and management of any kind of agricultural business: from planning the business entity, to liability considerations, to marketing and running the operation.

Can solar energy and ag coexist? August 21 webinar takes up 'agrivoltaics'

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Does large-scale installation of solar panels on farms make the land unusable for other purposes?

Machine learning leads to a first in forestry management tools

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new dataset is providing a bird’s-eye view of Arkansas’ forests 1 meter at a time.

Income Tax Schools provide advanced tax preparation training, updates on tax law changes

LITTLE ROCK — Professional tax preparers and anyone interested in advanced income tax preparation can learn what’s in store for the 2024 tax season by attending one of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Income Tax Schools.

'New' herbicides in blackberry production could soon be an option for growers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two “new” herbicide options could soon be available for blackberry growers during the 2025 growing season.

Analysis indicates Warren plant closure could cost millions to state in revenues, GPD

MONTICELLO, Ark. — The idling of AHF Products’ Warren flooring facility will mean loss of 130 jobs with a ripple effect of millions in lost revenue and gross domestic product to Arkansas, according to an analysis released this week. 

BACK TO SCHOOL: Tax-free weekend starts Aug. 3

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ tax-free weekend can help savvy shoppers save money with a little advance planning.