Division of Agriculture releases 2026 versions of weed, pest and disease management guides
Jan. 14, 2026
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Three updated publications available: Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control, Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas, and Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide
- Free print editions available at county extension offices
- Free digital downloads at uaex.uada.edu/publications/new.aspx.
(482 words)
Image of three guides
LITTLE ROCK — The most widely used publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have been updated with the latest research-based recommendations for managing pests, weeds and diseases in row crop agriculture, as well as fruit, vegetable and garden production.
The 2026 publications include:
- MP44 — Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control
- MP144 — Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas
- MP154 — Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide
More than 16,000 copies of the guides have been distributed to county extension offices, where they can be picked up free of charge. Digital copies of guides, along with other extension publications, are available online at uaex.uada.edu/publications/new.aspx.
“MP” stands for “miscellaneous publication.”
Shane Gadberry, head of agriculture and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service, said the publications aim to support farmers and ranchers in Arkansas.
“Our clients find these a helpful resource in both the office and the field for complex pesticide management decisions,” he said.
Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control
MP44, or Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control, offers information about herbicides, applications and the most up-to-date weed control recommendations for Arkansas. The guide includes labeled products only and their uses.
“This year, a number of old products were removed from MP44 that are either no longer available or used,” said Bob Scott, extension weed scientist. “In addition, several edits were made to reflect proper rates and plant-back intervals, which can be critical to the successful use of these herbicides. There were no major new herbicides added or deleted this year.”
Data from more than 100 weed science trials provided the basis for the 2026 recommendations.
“The work is funded by the Division of Agriculture and industry, but the work is truly driven by the various grants we receive from the Arkansas commodity boards,” Scott said.
Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas
Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas — or MP144 — contains information on recommended insecticides in row crops, animal agriculture, fruits, nuts, vegetables and household pests.
There’s also a mobile-friendly edition of the guide available at mp144.uada.edu. Users can search specific crops and types of pests to get proper insecticide recommendations quickly.
Plant Disease Control Products Guide
The Arkansas Plant Disease Control Products Guide — or MP154 — includes a list of fungicides and nematicides registered for use in Arkansas that are used to control diseases of row crops, vegetables, small fruits, turfgrass and ornamental plants.
“The goal of the MP154 is to give producers a practical, research-based guide for plant disease control products labeled in Arkansas,” said Terry Spurlock, professor and extension plant pathologist. “Each year, we update the publication to include new products and remove those that may no longer be offered.
“We also update the product efficacy tables in the soybean, corn and wheat sections,” he said. “These efficacy tables are compiled from data generated by extension plant pathologists in multi-state collaborative working groups and provide producers with additional information beyond the product label.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on X and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on X at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
# # #
Media Contact: Tracy Courage
Director of Communications-Extension
U of A System Division of Agriculture
501-658-2044