News - November 2024

Hot water best for sanitizing in-shell pecans, sanitizers prevent cross-contamination

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Before those sweet and savory pecans make their way into your pecan pie or other holiday treat, they may go through an antimicrobial wash to reduce pathogens. But why would that be needed?

Extension’s Rowbotham humbled to be named to state influential list

LITTLE ROCK — Each day, Jeanie Rowbotham puts her heart into Arkansas agriculture, as a farmer and as an agent for the Cooperative Extension Service, working with its 4-H youth development program.

Governor pardons turkeys ahead of holiday, proclaims Nov. 24-30 as Turkey Week in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — At least two lucky birds won’t be the centerpiece of a Thanksgiving feast this year. Instead, they were the center of attention Thursday as Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pardoned “Tom and Gladys” and issued a proclamation celebrating the role of turkey production in the state’s agricultural economy.

NALC webinar reviews methods of 'clearing title' to resolve heirs property issues

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — “Heirs property” situations can result in economic and property loss, and families that find themselves in such situations need to know what methods are available to resolve it.

USDA-NIFA grant aims to bring more job possibilities for neurodivergent individuals

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With the help of a nearly $500,000 grant, Arkansas food safety expert Kristen Gibson is working to increase job opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.

A greenhouse gas-negative future for agriculture presented at UN Climate Change Conference

As delegates from around the world convene in Baku, Azerbaijan for the U.N. Climate Change Conference, a new report suggests that agriculture could become greenhouse gas negative.

Exploring new approaches to combat bovine respiratory disease

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It’s commonly known in the cattle industry that bovine respiratory disease is the most costly illness affecting cattle in North America. Samantha Howe received a USDA NIFA grant to explore the use of probiotics in bovine respiratory disease prevention.

Pelkki honored by Society of American Foresters for contributions to Forestry

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Matthew Pelkki, head of the Arkansas Center for Forest Business,  has received a top honor from the Society of American Foresters by being awarded Fellow status with the organization.

2025 crop enterprise budgets now available, feature easier access

JONESBORO, Ark. — The 2025 crop enterprise budgets for Arkansas farmers are now available online and this year feature enhanced access and customization, said author Breana Watkins, an economist and instructor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

HOLIDAYS: Make the most of Black Friday shopping and think outside the gift box

LITTLE ROCK — As Black Friday approaches, holiday shoppers should prepare a list, make and stick to a budget and consider shifting the emphasis from physical gifts to intentional gestures that don’t break the bank.

HOLIDAYS: Tips for mindful eating this Thanksgiving

LITTLE ROCK — The Thanksgiving holiday brings family and friends together to celebrate gratitude, but the festivities can be difficult for people with concerns about food or eating. It’s important to approach the day’s meal mindfully and aim for a “middle ground” between overeating or being too restrictive.

Ornamental, specialty crops at risk as freezing temperatures come to Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are advising floriculture and specialty crop producers to prepare for freezing temperatures toward the end of the week.

HOLIDAYS: Practice food safety during Thanksgiving festivities

LITTLE ROCK — As families around the United States prepare for their Thanksgiving celebrations, practicing food safety guidelines when thawing the celebratory bird and storing leftovers can help ensure everyone stays safe and healthy. 

Geospatial mapping study shows drought trend in ag-dominated Arkansas Delta

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —  The Delta, a regional powerhouse for Arkansas agriculture built by river flows, is showing a trend of increasing droughts.

Finding a preventative solution to a billion-dollar poultry problem

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The poultry industry loses up to $6 billion annually due to necrotic enteritis, a preventable intestinal disease in poultry, including broiler chickens. An Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station poultry science researcher is evaluating a new possible solution using a novel vaccine combined with a bile acid regimen. 

Need info on 'heirs property'? NALC publishes research-based resource on state heirs property laws

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tenancies in common, often referred to as “heirs property,” create real challenges to the survival of farming operations and, sometimes, to the family unit itself.

Scientist, teacher Robert Riggs remembered for lasting impact on soybean production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.— Researcher and teacher Robert Riggs is being remembered as a gentleman and “a nematologist’s nematologist,” who always kept Arkansas soybean growers in mind.

NWA Small Ruminants Field Day set for Nov. 15 at Hanna Family Ranch

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tips on breeding, nutrition, health care for goats and sheep are the focus of the next Northwest Arkansas Small Ruminant Field Day.

UAM Forestry Club shines at Texas Timbersports Competition

MONTICELLO, Ark. — The UAM Forestry Club demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork at the Lake Striker Axe Days competition in Texas on November 2, securing a 2nd place overall finish.

NASS November numbers keep soybeans on record pace while rice, cotton close to records

JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas soybeans are still on track for a record state average yield with corn and rice shaping up to be their second-best average yields ever, according to the November “Crop Production” report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

Arkansas winter ag production meeting schedule kicks off Jan. 9

UNDATED — Winter production meetings are a long-held tradition of agriculture’s off season, combining information and conversation — usually over catfish or barbecue — but sometimes even the most well-planned agendas can go up in smoke.

State approaches to heirs property the focus of Nov. 20 NALC webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When a landowner passes away and the land goes to the heirs, often without a will or estate plan, an “heirs property” situation can occur— leaving a property with numerous owners that increase as generations pass. 

From pets to pests: Researchers explore new tool to fight disease-carrying insects

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas researchers are testing a product commonly used to treat ticks and fleas on pets to target fly and mosquito larvae with the goal of helping reduce the spread of diseases carried by these insects.

Izard County 4-H members present Quilts of Valor to local veterans

MELBOURNE, Ark. — To recognize veterans for their sacrifice and service, Izard County 4-H Sewing Club members worked with Extension Homemakers Council members to create 16 Quilts of Valor. They presented the lap quilts to local veterans in a ceremony at Ozarka College on Nov. 1. 

Jouett sees development an opportunity to propel ideas, innovation

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ann Catherine Jouett says one of the rewards of working in development is the creation of “opportunities to propel ideas and innovations through developing authentic relationships that create success and advance people.”

Osage Ramen fusion dish wins Mathis new Top Chef NWA award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A recipe that paid homage to the Osage Nation won Chef Roni Mathis the title of 2024 Top Chef NWA. 

Months of drought conditions complicate winter feed strategies

LITTLE ROCK — The dry, warm autumn experienced by much of Arkansans’ pasture lands will likely mean the state’s cattle producers will have to start feeding hay earlier and longer, experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said.

Greene County Extension celebrates new home

PARAGOULD, Ark. — The Greene County Cooperative Extension Service has a new home — a stand-alone building that that is more accessible, spacious and visible to the residents that extension serves.

Cooperative Extension Service to offer artificial insemination workshop Nov. 7-8

HOPE, Ark. — Cattle producers looking to learn new skills, brush up on old ones or just expand their beef cattle operations are invited to attend an artificial insemination course Nov. 7-8 in Hope. Registration is $450, due Nov. 4.