News - December 2024

UPDATED with Dec. 26 appellate court ruling

YEAREND: Corporate Transparency Act, Foreign Ownership, Chevron shift mark turbulent 2024

LITTLE ROCK — Upending of a 40-year precedent in rulemaking and a pair of end-of-year plot twists for two laws meant to prevent fraud and improve national security were just some of the events that marked a turbulent year in agricultural and environmental laws.

UPDATED with Dec. 23 appellate court ruling

LITTLE ROCK — Upending of a 40-year precedent in rulemaking and a pair of end-of-year plot twists for two laws meant to prevent fraud and improve national security were just some of the events that marked a turbulent year in agricultural and environmental laws.

Farm aid could be on the way with proposed Continuing Resolution  

LITTLE ROCK – Amid worries that an expired Farm Bill would leave farmers without an economic safety net, Congressional leadership released a Continuing Resolution Tuesday that includes $10 billion for crop producers. 

4-H clubs deliver holiday cheer; community service a year-round effort

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H members learn early on the value of service to their communities. During the holidays, their efforts shine especially bright.

YEAREND Top Stories: Great yields a bright spot in a turbulent year

LITTLE ROCK — A season of weather that enabled both early planting and harvest ended in record or near-record yields for several crops in Arkansas. But it wound up being overshadowed by low commodity prices and tumult surrounding development of the next Farm Bill and aid to farmers.

YEAREND: Corporate Transparency Act, Foreign Ownership, Chevron shift mark turbulent 2024

LITTLE ROCK — Upending of a 40-year precedent in rulemaking and a pair of end-of-year plot twists for two laws meant to prevent fraud and improve national security were just some of the events that marked a turbulent year in agricultural and environmental laws.

YEAREND: 2024’s battles over the next Farm Bill, dismal outlook for farm economy to extend in to 2025

LITTLE ROCK — The economic clouds from 2024 are expected to persist into 2025 as progress toward a new Farm Bill stagnated, commodity prices lagged and profit margins for farmers remained razor thin at year’s end.

YEAREND: Plant closures, groundbreaking mark the year in forestry

MONTICELLO, Ark. — The Arkansas timber industry faced significant challenges at the start of 2024, including plant closures and natural disasters. However, the year concludes on a high note marked by the establishment of the Arkansas Forest Health Research Center and the expansion of forest businesses in the state, signaling a promising future for the sector. 

YEAREND: Dry weather, armyworms and high input costs made 2024 a rough year for Arkansas cattle producers

LITTLE ROCK – Although cattle prices remain high, Arkansas producers had no shortage of obstacles to keep profit margins thin in 2024. 

YEAREND: Arkansas poultry industry sees reduced disease impact, job market woes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Despite a decrease in the influence of highly pathogenic avian influenza — HPAI — on Arkansas’ poultry industry, restructuring and closing of plants have posed increased challenges in the poultry producer-integrator dynamic.

YEAREND: Lower prices, more inputs put corn in the corner

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For Arkansas farmers who grew corn this year, it was a good year with near-record yields but there was a lot less corn grown in the state.

YEAREND: Soybean producers broke another record and hopefully won’t break the bank

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Soybean farmers keep breaking yield records, for a few reasons, but more beans don’t necessarily equate to happy bean counters.

YEAREND: Arkansas cotton, peanut production both suffer from wet spring, fall

LITTLE ROCK — A wet May sharply curtailed expectations for Arkansas cotton growers in 2024, an experience similar to that of growers in many crops across the state.

YEAREND: After a promising start, Arkansas rice suffers low milling yields

LITTLE ROCK — With only 20 minutes to summarize the Arkansas research findings and rice crop outlook for those in attendance, Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, began his address to the 2024 USA Rice Outlook Conference like so:

“Profitability isn’t in the 2025 vocabulary,” Hardke said.

Fraud leaves a bitter taste in honey industry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The decision not to hold a honey competition at the World Beekeeping Awards in 2025 is a symptom of a global problem that’s making life tough for beekeepers in the United States, said Jon Zawislak, a bee expert with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Federal judge puts Arkansas foreign ownership restrictions on hold

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal judge in Arkansas has halted enforcement of the state’s foreign ownership restrictions for plaintiffs owning a crypto-mining business.

HOLIDAYS: Set healthy conversational boundaries, spend funds wisely to avoid holiday stress

LITTLE ROCK — Though gathering with family and friends is a joyful part of the holiday season, navigating political tension can lead to hurt feelings. Brittney Schrick, extension associate professor and family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said setting firm boundaries about the topics up for discussion and redirecting conversation to shared interests and neutral subjects are key to maintaining a cheerful atmosphere.

HOLIDAYS: Tips for forming habits, making lifestyle changes in the new year

LITTLE ROCK — A new year often involves resolutions to improve health, form a new habit or change one’s behavior. To better achieve these changes, Brittney Schrick, extension associate professor and family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, recommends setting SMART goals by ensuring they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-sensitive.

Division of Agriculture faculty, researchers to present at January commodity production conferences

UNDATED — More than a dozen faculty and staff with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will address attendees at a series of concurrent agricultural education conferences in Memphis, Tennessee.

$791,000 grant to support future nematode-resistant soybean varieties

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Causing an estimated $160 billion in damages globally each year, one of agriculture’s biggest enemies is too small to see without a microscope.

Warm, dry fall helping fall foliage hang on — but not for long

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ colorful foliage has had an unusually long run this fall. Sadly, it likely won’t last much longer, said Jaret Rushing, extension forestry instructor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas 4-H state barbecue winners take third, fifth place at National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After winning top marks in the state 4-H barbecue contest in June, two Arkansas 4-H members have brought home third and fifth place awards in the chicken and turkey barbecue competitions at the National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference, held Nov. 19-22.

Norsworthy honored with Rice Industry award

LITTLE ROCK — Jason Norsworthy’s origin story as a weed scientist began on a truck farm in south Arkansas, and was told through unnumbered long, hot hours spent at the end of a gooseneck hoe chopping weeds from in sweet potato and purple hull peas.

Jan. 3 Tri-State Soybean Forum moves to Mississippi

LELAND, Miss.— The annual Tri-State Soybean Forum rotates to Mississippi in January, with an agenda that features talks on drones, regulatory changes and the commodity outlook for 2025.

Weyerhaeuser’s $500 Million investment in Drew County shows promise of creating an economic boost, supporting forest health   

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Weyerhaeuser’s announcement of a $500 million investment in Drew County marks a monumental moment for Southeast Arkansas, bringing economic growth and advancing sustainable forestry practices, according to the Arkansas Center for Forest Business. 

Vegetable and Fruit Growers News recognizes Aaron Cato with 40 under 40 award

LITTLE ROCK — Fruit and Vegetable News has recognized Arkansas Extension Horticulture Specialist Aaron Cato by including him in its 40 under 40 Awards.

AmeriCorps volunteers tackle projects at Arkansas 4-H Center

LITTLE ROCK — A group of AmeriCorps volunteers are putting their minds and muscles to work in central Arkansas, improving the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center with projects great and small during the final months of 2024.

New probiotic shown to improve digestion in poultry and swine

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A novel probiotic has been developed as a direct-fed microbial in both poultry and swine feed to improve gut health and weight-gain efficiency. Additionally, feed cost savings may be realized through greater utilization of soybean meal in diets.

Robbins remembered as global expert in nematode taxonomy 

UNDATED — University Professor Emeritus Bob Robbins may have had a global reputation for as a nematode expert, but he was never too busy to help local farmers.

Texas federal judge issues nationwide injunction, suspends business ownership reporting requirements

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The deadline for millions of businesses across the country to report ownership information under the Corporate Transparency Act, or CTA — just weeks away — has been suspended.

Extension agents, specialists, staff honored for excellence

LITTLE ROCK — Faculty and staff at the Cooperative Extension Service celebrated a successful year of serving Arkansas families and communities— from starting Crittenden County’s first farmer’s market to creating professional development opportunities to teach college students about agriculture in Arkansas.

National Ag Law Center Bridges Initiative prioritizes career development for students

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The nation’s leading source of agricultural and food law research and information, the National Agricultural Law Center, is prioritizing outreach to a group with tremendous impact on the future of agriculture: students.

REDI-NET launch brings new line of defense against emerging diseases

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station helped develop an early warning system for the military to help identify the next contagion.