News - March 2014 

Rice, cotton, soybean acreage expected to rise in 2014

LITTLE ROCK — The number of Arkansas acres planted in rice, cotton, sorghum and soybean were all expected rise this in 2014, with declines seen for corn and winter wheat, according to the Prospective Plantings report issued by the National Agricultural Statistics Service on Monday. 

U of A Division of Ag dedicates board room to Welch

LITTLE ROCK -- The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture honored a long-time advocate of agriculture on Monday, dedicating a boardroom to Ewell “Pete” Welch, former executive vice president of Arkansas Farm Bureau.  

Batesville Station hosts livestock field day April 15 

BATESVILLE, Ark. -- A look at the 300 Days Grazing program at five years, and the latest research on promoting growth in cattle and parasites are on the agenda for the April 15 Livestock Field Day at the Livestock and Forestry Research Station in Batesville. 

Ark Forage & Grassland Council offers ranch tours May 2

LITTLE ROCK – Two ranches in Lawrence and Randolph counties that weathered the extremes of drought and flood and still managed 300 days of grazing will be showcased as part of the Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council spring tour on May 2.

Urban tree care, effects of severe weather on forests on Forestry Field Day agenda

HOPE, Ark. -- Caring for trees in urban settings and the effects of severe weather on the states’ woodlands are part of the 2014 Forestry Field Day set for May 1 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center. 

Military kids find fun, friendship and adventure with 4-H Military Youth Camps

LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas’ military youth from all branches of service will have camping opportunities, thanks to funding from the Department of Defense, 4-H Military Partnership Programs, The Arkansas 4-H Foundation, and the Operation: Military Kids program. 

Go off road but on course for the 10^th annual 4-H Youth & Family 5k Trail Run/Walk

LITTLE ROCK – There are all kinds of races and fun runs for families in Arkansas, but only one gets you up close with nature. 

Is farm pond fertilization necessary? 

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Spring is finally here and farm pond owners may be wondering if they need to fertilize their ponds. In fact, there is little reason to fertilize most ponds, according to Dr. Nathan Stone, Extension fisheries specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. 

Manage coccidiosis to reduce losses among newborn animals, Part II 

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Estimates are that coccidiosis costs the beef industry $100 million annually, says Dr. David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Christensen joins as extension poultry specialist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Michael T. Kidd, Director of the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and Head of the Department of Poultry Science, has announced that Karen Christensen, Ph.D., has joined the Center as an Extension Poultry Specialist. She assumed her new position in January. 

Arkansas County Agricultural Agents Association salutes excellence

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. -- Agricultural extension agents from across the Natural State were saluted for distinction at the annual meeting of the Arkansas County Agricultural Agents Association, which was held March 10-12 in Hot Springs. 

Cooperative Extension Service unveils new platform-savvy website

LITTLE ROCK – Find what you want to know faster and from any device on the newly launched University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service site, www.uaex.uada.edu. 

Quick facts about the Cooperative Extension Service online

LITTLE ROCK – Facts and figures about the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. 

Rain brings fieldwork, planting to a halt

LONOKE, Ark. - A winter that just won’t quit has put a chill on farm fieldwork, extension agents for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said Monday

Homegrown Profits workshop rescheduled to April 22

LITTLE ROCK -- A workshop to help Arkansas growers expand the reach of their products has been rescheduled to April 22 at the ASU-Beebe student center.  

Reducing sheep mortality in the first eight days of life, Part I

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Lamb and kidding seasons are upon us, and producers should do everything possible to reduce losses during the neonatal period (first eight days of life) as that is when 84 per cent of all lamb deaths occur, says Dr. David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

State Water Plan regional workgroup meeting set for March 17 in Stuttgart

LITTLE ROCK -- A regional planning workgroup meeting for the State Water Plan is set for March 17 at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart. 

U of A Division of Ag researchers detail first quarter work on Big Creek study

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Members of the Big Creek Research and Extension Team studying a hog farm in the Buffalo River watershed on Tuesday presented details about its work so far and fielded pointed questions about what’s been done and what’s ahead.

Control weeds now for better pastures this summer   

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – With no green showing in the pasture, few livestock producers are thinking about weed control, but now is the ideal time to control troublesome pasture weeds, says Dr. David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Women Woodland Owners workshop set for March 26

LITTLE ROCK – Keeping the forest in the family will be among the topics on the agenda for the Women Woodland Owners Workshop set for March 26 at the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope.

Big Creek research team seminar rescheduled to March 11

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A seminar by the team of scientists from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture studying a hog farm in the Buffalo River watershed has been rescheduled to March 11.

National Agricultural Law Center offers assistance to Congress in revising fish and wildlife law 

WASHINGTON – A federal law on the books since 1900 regulating interstate game and fish shipments is causing concern among aquaculture producers and others who are worried about the heavy penalties – up to $250,000 for individuals – they could face for an inadvertent violation of the statute, a University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture official told a congressional panel on Feb. 27.

Arkansas Watershed Stewards workshop postponed

Big Creek Research and Extension Team Seminar postponed

The Homegrown Profits workshop set for Tuesday, March 4 at the ASU-Beebe Student Center has been postponed.  

Addendum issued for Big Creek first quarterly report

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Big Creek Research and Extension Team has issued an addendum to the first quarterly report on its study of a hog farm in the Buffalo River Watershed.