News - May 2015

Governor Hutchinson to speak at annual meeting of Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson will be the keynote speaker at this year’s annual meeting of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council in Hot Springs.

Chicot County experiencing heavy flooding in northern quarter 

LAKE VILLAGE, Ark. — Steady rains over southeast Arkansas, combined with overflowing tributaries heading toward the Mississippi River, caused the northern portion of Chicot County to suffer severe flooding this week, area Cooperative Extension Service staff said Friday.

Saturated ground a wait-and-see game for woodland owners

HOPE, Ark. – Arkansas’ rain-saturated ground is presenting a wait-and-see game for woodland owners, according to forestry experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

 Pollinator Stewardship Program designed to fight colony collapse disorder

 LITTLE ROCK — Entomologists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are introducing a new program aimed as preserving the health of the state’s honey bee colonies.

Ozark Feeder Cattle Conference to cover risk management, market outlook

LITTLE ROCK – Health, risk management and at look at how the market winds are blowing are on the agenda for the Aug. 1, Ozark Feeder Cattle Conference. 

Cooking lessons for the scientists: flames in the air and chocolate eclair

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Three times a year food scientists from the nation’s leading food processors come to Fayetteville and learn how to cook. But there’s more to it than that.

Heavy crop losses a likely outcome of continued rains, flooding in western Arkansas; overall economic impact uncertain

FORT SMITH, Ark.  — Overlapping storm events and near-historic river levels in western Arkansas may mean total crop losses for producers in Sebastian and surrounding counties, experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture said this week.

Storms bring twin headaches for livestock owners: disease, diminished hay

LITTLE ROCK – This spring’s wicked storms are giving Arkansas ranchers two kinds of headaches: declining hay quality and increased concern for livestock health due debris and bacteria stirred by floodwater. 

Cool, rainy spring boosts clover 

PIGGOTT, Ark. -- While that first cutting of fescue hay awaits rescue in rain-sodden meadows, Arkansas’ cool, rainy spring has one bright side: clover.  

How to pay for college 

LITTLE ROCK -- For students heading to college this fall, funding deadlines are quickly approaching, so it’s crunch time for financial decision-making, said Laura Connerly, assistant professor and family finance expert for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Liver Flukes pose another problem for ranchers with wet pastures

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – With pastures so wet and grass a little short early in the growing season, producers should be watching for signs of liver fluke infections, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension Program livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.  

Researchers, rice industries exchange information at annual meeting

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Producing high-quality rice is a team effort and the annual Rice Processing Program Industry Alliance meeting here is where industry leaders compare notes, research and resources.

Land & Life Video for May 22, 2015

We're proud to announce a new video series called "Land & Life." The bi-weekly series will cover a few, quick stories from around the state. This week: Chesapeake Bay Water Quality, Discovery Farms Growing and the 2015 Soybean Science Challenge Winner.

Extension irrigation educator to face the new normal: Lower aquifers, higher crop production

Michael Hamilton, the newly minted extension irrigation education area specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was hired for the position several years after noted irrigation specialist Phil Tacker retired from a similar position in 2009.

New Android App Helps Rice Growers Plan Efficient Irrigation

LITTLE ROCK — A new mobile app developed at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture may help rice growers save time, money and natural resources throughout Arkansas — and beyond.

Andrew Sharpley elected society president for 2017

MADISON, Wisc. — The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) has elected Andrew Sharpley, professor, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, president for the 2017 term.

Five corporate teams go head-to-head on Vines Center ExCEL Course May 21

FERNDALE, Ark. -- The business world is a very competitive place. On May 21, five teams from some of Arkansas’ best known businesses are taking their competitive nature to a whole new level at the ExCEL Corporate Challenge in the wilds of The Vines Center.  

Workshop will focus on phosphorus removal in Illinois River watershed

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Illinois River Watershed Partnership will hold a field day May 29 to demonstrate the use of phosphorus removal structures to improve water quality in the watershed.

Weather, prices depress planting estimates

JONESBORO, Ark. – Weather and declining prices are putting a dent in the expected total of rice and corn acres planted, said Scott Stiles, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Division of Ag expands research on non-GMO soybean varieties

LONOKE, Ark. -- The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is expanding its research into conventional or non-GMO soybean varieties as growers eye them as a way to combat escalating production costs and slipping commodity prices. 

Workshop to focus on small fruits, high tunnels

FAYETTEVILLE — Several varieties of grapes, blackberries and other fruit will be on display during the Small Fruits High Tunnel Production Workshop, scheduled for May 27 and presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Rain submerges crops in River Valley, SW Arkansas 

PERRYVILLE, Ark. -- Perry County Extension Agent Jesse Bocksnick didn’t even have go outside to know how much rain had fallen in the last week. 

Warm nights signal time to fertilize bermudagrass

LITTLE ROCK -- The cool wet weather hasn’t done bermudagrass any favors, but now that Arkansas’ nights are warming up, it’s time to fertilize, said John Jennings, forage professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Keynote speaker to focus on growing your own jobs at June 4 Breakthrough Solutions Conference

LITTLE ROCK – The upcoming 2015 Breakthrough Solutions Conference will focus on communities growing their own jobs, said Dell Gines, Senior Community Development Advisor with the Omaha Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Soybeans likely unfazed by weekend storms

LITTLE ROCK — Despite heavy rains taking place squarely in the middle of the Arkansas soybean planting window, the state’s number-one crop will likely emerge unaffected, experts said this week.

Spring rains leave mixed outlook for fruit crops in state

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. -- The recent onslaught of spring rains across Arkansas is having its effects on the summer fruit crop, and not all the effects are good. Damage and disease have hit some berries and peaches. The famed Hope area watermelons will be delayed because of the weather.

Storms, heavy rains and flooding leave at least two dead, many pastures under water

LITTLE ROCK — Heavy overnight rains throughout the state caused rivers to rise and creeks to overrun their banks, leaving pasturelands under inches — or feet — of water across much of western Arkansas.

The sound of love is in the air as Brood XXIII emerges

LONOKE — Residents throughout the eastern half of Arkansas are likely already hearing the creeping call of Brood XXIII, the cluster of cicada species emerging from a 13-year slumber to frenetically mate for the next three to four weeks before disappearing for another 13 years beneath the soil.

Fleet of bicyclists expected to make Bike to Work trek May 1

LITTLE ROCK – A fleet of commuters is planning to trade their gas pedals for bike pedals during Bike to Work day on May 15.

Walk Across Arkansas teams rack up 1.5 million-plus exercise minutes

LITTLE ROCK – Teams and individuals taking part in Walk Across Arkansas, one of the largest public health initiatives in the state, recorded more than 1.5 million minutes of exercise over eight weeks. 

Relationships: Can love and money mix?

LITTLE ROCK – When it comes to tying the knot, couples need to be sure that love and money can mix.

Credit vs. pay-as-you-go: What’s better for your finances?

LITTLE ROCK – In an effort to kept debt at bay, many consumers go through life paying as they go rather than relying on credit. 

Early Ozarks people & plants subject of upcoming seminar

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Nature lovers will have the opportunity later this month to learn about the native plants of the Ozarks and their historical use by area homesteaders. 

Lower Ouachita-Smackover watershed forum rescheduled to June 9

LITTLE ROCK — The Lower Ouachita-Smackover Watershed water quality forum postponed in April has now been rescheduled for June 9. 

After heavy rains pass, crop progress nearly on par with five-year average

LITTLE ROCK — After weeks of lagging well behind the state’s five-year average in planting progress, Arkansas growers have finally pulled within a few percentage points of historic averages, according to a crop progress and condition report published Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Lance Carpenter headlines 4-H benefit concert June 13

VAN BUREN, Ark. – Arkansas’ own country music singer-songwriter Lance Carpenter will be the headliner June 13 for a concert to benefit the Crawford County 4-H Youth Development program. 

Discovery Farms program expanding to four additional sites in 2015

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are expanding the Arkansas Discovery Farms program to four additional privately-owned farms in 2015, bringing the state-wide total to 13 by the end of the year.

Faulkner County Farm Round Up reset to May 11, for a 1-day format

CONWAY, Ark. – The Faulkner County Farm Round Up, postponed from April due to soggy grounds, has been rescheduled for May 11, the Faulkner County Extension Office said.

When squirrel-tree relationships turn bad

LITTLE ROCK – Some days a tree’s bark is no match for a squirrel’s bite. 

Cheap insurance for higher farm, ranch profits

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Vaccines are cheap insurance for higher farm and ranch profits, said David Fernandez, Cooperative Extension livestock specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Vaccines cost about $3 to $10 per calf and 50 cents to $1 per lamb or kid.