News - May 2026

Division of Agriculture awarded grant funding for beef education and promotion

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Beef Council has awarded $29,500 in grant funding to University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture researchers and educators for five projects, including the Beef Quality Assurance Program, a youth quiz bowl and more.

Sustainable aerogels from agricultural waste research supported by NSF CAREER grant

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A handful of rice bran, or many other agricultural byproducts, may not look like much to most people. But in Ali Ubeyitogullari’s eyes, they are building blocks strong enough for a spacecraft.

Economists: 2nd planting usually more profitable than taking prevented planting

LITTLE ROCK — Rice growers unable to finish their initial planting are weighing whether to try again, plant soybeans, or take a prevented planting payment, extension specialists said.

Arkansas EHC members serve as delegates to Associated Country Women of the World conference

OTTAWA, Ontario — Two members of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council gained a global perspective on their volunteer efforts as delegates to the Associated Country Women of the World 31st Triennial World Conference.

Larry Galligan keeps research moving at the Vegetable Research Station

ALMA, Ark. — On a round table near Larry Galligan’s desk sits a box of brass fittings, spools of wire, a box of switches and a diverter valve he is rigging for a tractor sprayer at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Vegetable Research Station.

Adequate potassium management is key to maximizing cotton yield and fiber quality

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With the 2026 cotton planting season in full swing, research out of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station provides a fresh reminder of the importance of sufficient potassium for cotton lint yield and quality.

Washington County Master Gardeners to host Garden Gate Tour of seven Fayetteville gardens

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Northwest Arkansas residents will have the opportunity to experience thriving local gardens and increase their plant knowledge during the Garden Gate Tour, hosted by the Washington County Master Gardeners on June 6.

Arkansas EHC members’ textile art featured in Crystal Bridges’ “America 250: Common Threads” exhibit

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Anna Goff said it was a “sincere honor” to have a quilt made by her late mother, Ann Prince, selected for the “America 250: Common Threads” exhibit at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.

Extension financial expert offers tips for parents to find summer jobs for teens

LITTLE ROCK — For parents looking to help their teenager secure a summer job, an extension financial expert has tips for choosing the right kind of job, smart ways to search and tips for saving money wisely.  

Arkansas 4-H’ers advance to state BBQ competition

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H members Jose Aguillon of Monroe County and Caitlin Cooper of White County are headed to the state BBQ championship next month after winning top honors in the 4-H Central Arkansas BBQ Competition on Saturday.

With planting nearly complete, Arkansas rice faces a challenging spring

LITTLE ROCK — Rice planting in Arkansas, which provides about half of the country’s total crop, is always a weather-dependent process. Whether the preceding winter is harsh or mild, the spring wet or dry, every turn of the calendar page presents a new challenge. But in 2026, this real battle began after most of the crop was in the ground.

College students to gain hands-on experience as Cooperative Extension Service summer interns

LITTLE ROCK — John D. Anderson, extension director for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, advised the 2026 class of extension summer interns to “embrace questions you don’t know the answer to, because that’s how new knowledge gets created.”

The science of barbecuing: grilling, smoking and beyond

LITTLE ROCK — “Barbecue,” as anyone in the South can tell you, is a loaded word. 

“It means different things to different people,” said Janeal Yancey, extension animal science instructor for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. But, she said, one thing ought to be clear: “Barbecuing” is not for hamburgers.

Practice food safety when grilling this Memorial Day

LITTLE ROCK — As pools open and family and friends gather to light up the grill this Memorial Day, it’s important to keep food safety top of mind to ensure a delicious and healthy holiday for all.

May WASDE signals optimism for soybean, corn, cotton, rice growers

JONESBORO, Ark. — May’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, or WASDE, report is shining a biofueled ray of light as it forecasts higher average prices for soybeans and corn.

Cooperative Extension Service to host Streets to Streams Watershed Fair

LITTLE ROCK — Central Arkansas residents can learn more about their local waterways at Streets to Streams: A Watershed Fair, a new event hosted by the Cooperative Extension Service and community partners.

Bennet Chen retakes first place in state Soybean Science Challenge

LITTLE ROCK — Bennet Chen, a Little Rock Central High School junior, took first place in this year’s Soybean Science Challenge state-level competition. It was Chen’s third time on the podium in three consecutive years.

Drought has ranchers playing a waiting game 

LITTLE ROCK — For many ranchers, 2026 is shaping up to be a waiting game: waiting for the rain to come and waiting for summer forages to grow. 

Arkansas gin numbers hold steady on smaller 2025 cotton crop 

JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas was still the No. 3 cotton producer in the United States in 2025 despite growing fewer acres than the previous year, and this year, farmers may grow the smallest number of cotton acres in nearly a decade. 

Upcoming SCOTUS ruling in ‘failure-to-warn’ case could change course of glyphosate litigation 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in Monsanto v. Durnell could change the way opponents of pesticides fight their battles, according to an attorney with the National Agricultural Law Center. 

Learn to manage food safety risks, support farm success at extension produce safety training

FORREST CITY, Ark. — The Cooperative Extension Service’s Local, Regional and Safe Foods team will host a free produce safety grower training for Arkansas producers on June 18 in Forrest City.

Saline County Master Gardeners bring spring cheer to residents at Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center

BRYANT, Ark. — On a sunny May morning, Saline County Master Gardeners joined elderly residents of the Southern Trace Rehabilitation and Care Center in Bryant to plant flowers, part of the facility’s celebration of National Skilled Nursing Care Week.

Extension to host May 22 webinar addressing Theileria, Asian longhorned tick

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture will host a free webinar on May 22 addressing the prevalence of Theileria, a tick-borne pathogen affecting cattle, and the Asian longhorned tick, which is known to carry it.

Extension row crop verification program helps farmers maximize yields

LITTLE ROCK — With clear skies but relatively little rain, verification program coordinators with the Cooperative Extension Service spent April working overtime to ensure verification fields were planted and ready for irrigation across the state.

Extension financial expert shares tips to navigate high gas prices

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas drivers are paying higher gas costs at the pump, and a financial expert with the Cooperative Extension Service says some households may need to adjust their spending habits to accommodate increasing gas prices.   

Extension ArHOP program, Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas hosting monthly food distributions via mobile pantry

FORREST CITY, Ark. — To combat food insecurity in St. Francis County, the Arkansas High Obesity Prevention Project is collaborating with the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas’ Nourish Mobile Pantry to host monthly distributions of fresh produce to rural communities.  

Recent rain welcome on Arkansas farms, but more rain is needed to erase drought

JONESBORO, Ark. — Amid a few rounds of rain, Arkansas corn and rice planting are nearly complete in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Craig Bacon to lead department of food science

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After a 35-year career in food production, Craig Bacon is bringing his love of teaching and research to the University of Arkansas as its next food science department head.

In troubled times, FARM Champions emerge

LITTLE ROCK — At a time when farmers are facing their darkest season in four decades, there’s a cohort of FARM Champions ready to help.

Researchers document rice plants trapping and killing fall armyworm caterpillars

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Rice plants and Venus flytraps share something in common that was not scientifically documented until recently.

Farmers for Tomorrow Benefit Happy Hour set for June 11 at CAFF Farm

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In 1961, President John F. Kennedy told Congress that “the family farm should be protected and preserved as a basic American institution.”

Genetic location of primocane-fruiting discovered in blackberries

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Lifting a veil of uncertainty in blackberry genetics, a national team of horticulture scientists have discovered evidence pointing to the single genetic region that controls primocane-fruiting, or the ability to flower and fruit on first-year canes.

How short-form videos may aid teaching small engine maintenance

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The 1974 novel “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” offered a simple but enduring idea: working on machines should not be about just fixing them, but slowing down, paying attention and reflecting on both the work and oneself in the pursuit of quality.

Hot Spring County 4-H receives inaugural Community Organization of the Year award

MALVERN, Ark. — The Hot Spring County 4-H program received the inaugural Community Organization of the Year award from the Malvern/Hot Spring County Chamber of Commerce, recognizing the organization’s integral role in youth development.  

Five Arkansas 4-H members named finalists for Governor’s Award

LITTLE ROCK — For the first time in three decades, five Arkansas 4-H members have been named finalists for the Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award.

Arkansas net farm income forecast to drop

LITTLE ROCK and FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Weighed down by low commodity prices, heavy fuel and fertilizer outlays and the costs of war, disease and weather, Arkansas’ net farm income is expected to fall for the fourth straight year, with farmers enduring on government support.

Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council celebrates social, community impact during EHC Month

LITTLE ROCK — Denise Bailey, member of the Garland County Extension Homemakers Council, said when she first became interested in the organization, she thought she was “just signing up to do a craft show and wound up getting a family.”

Arkansas Outdoor School, county day camps promise adventure and learning for youth and teens throughout summer

LITTLE ROCK — As Arkansas families set their schedules for the summer, the Cooperative Extension Service will offer several opportunities for day camps and overnight camps throughout the season.

Failure to Warn: NALC’s latest webinar dives into efforts to limit liability for pesticide manufacturers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center will host an upcoming webinar, “Failure to Warn? A Look at Recent State and Federal Action on Pesticide Labeling,” on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from noon-1 p.m. EDT or 11 a.m. to noon CDT.

Oliveira joins UADA with focus on beef cattle production systems

HOPE, Ark. — Ramiro Oliveira, assistant professor of beef cattle production systems and integrated resource management, has joined the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture after recently completing post-doctoral research at Texas A&M AgriLife.