News - April 2019

Arkansas corn growers facing ‘most challenging season since 2007’

DE VALLS BLUFF, Ark. – Along with the state’s other major commodities, Arkansas corn growers are fighting an uphill — if not upriver — battle to get seed in the ground and establish a stand, as the last days of “early planting” roll by.

NSF Career award supports plant pathologist’s protein research, teaching program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Plant pathologist Clemencia M. Rojas received a $900,000 National Science Foundation Career Award that will help support her investigation of the biological warfare waged between plants and pathogenic bacteria.

May 22-23 conference to help ag professionals, academics understand latest Farm Bill

UNDATED – The nation’s Extension Risk Management Education Centers are hosting a workshop May 22-23 to help agriculture industry professionals and academics get up to speed on the latest Farm Bill, so they can help their clients. 

Endangered Species Act on agenda for at Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Environmental regulations provide both protections and challenges — protections for natural resources and the people and animals who depend on them; compliance challenges for many landowners. At the Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, Jim Noles, founding partner at Barze Taylor Noles Lowther, LLC, will address how attorneys, lenders and landowners can best navigate related regulatory issues.

One of Arkansas’ largest volunteer organization celebrates achievements with gubernatorial proclamation for EHC month

LITTLE ROCK – One of the state’s largest volunteer organizations will celebrate more than a century of achievements with a gubernatorial proclamation of May as Extension Homemakers Month.

April 29 webinar: Growing industrial hemp in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is hosting an April 29 webinar that will parse the legalities of industrial hemp production in Arkansas.

Division of Ag’s Blueberry School to appeal to novices and experts alike

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – The upcoming Blueberry School, a three-date educational event organized by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will cover everything from the first-day-in-the-field fundamentals to the latest in research-based recommendations, said Amanda McWhirt, extension commercial horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture.

While soybeans suffered in the 2018 market, Arkansas rice crop value soared

LITTLE ROCK – The value of the state’s No. 1 crop fell by 15 percent in 2018 as the effects of an ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China took hold through the summer. 

Rural Innovation Director to Address Breakthrough Solutions Conference in June

LITTLE ROCK – Matt Dunne, founder and executive director of the Center for Rural Innovation in Hartland, Vermont, will be the keynote speaker at the 2019 Breakthrough Solutions Conference, scheduled for June 26 at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service headquarters in Little Rock.

Cattle preconditioning helps improve odds for return on investment

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas cattle producers looking to improve their return on investment should consider preconditioning calves before taking them to market, extension specialists told attendees at the Livestock and Forestry Station field day on Tuesday.

Baleage, economics, pasture applications on agenda for May 7 stored forage workshop

BATESVILLE, Ark. – Ranchers looking to sharpen their pasture and baleage management tactics can learn how on May 7 at the stored forage workshop being hosted by the Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville.

Arkansas entomology student earns $15,000 PEO Scholar Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Three years of dedication, academic excellence and ambition have earned University of Arkansas entomology graduate student Hillary Fischer the $15,000 Scholar Award from the Philanthropic Education Organization.

Cattle genetics expert hosts AI programs April 25-26, June 27-28

HOPE, Ark. – Cattle producers wanting to improve their stock through artificial insemination will have the opportunity to take part in a comprehensive, hands-on training program to be held  April 25-26 and June 27-28.

2 Arkansas Clearfield rice varieties will be available from Horizon Ag in 2020

STUTTGART, Ark. — Two new high-yield, Clearfield^®rice varieties developed by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will be widely available from Horizon Ag in 2020.

4-H Center’s Holiday Helpings program returns for Easter

LITTLE ROCK – The C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center is offering families a chance to take the cooking stress out of the Easter holiday weekend with the return of the Holiday Helpings program.

Arkansas Pecan Growers Association hosts annual education meeting May 4 in Lonoke

LITTLE ROCK – Pecan scab, pruning and marketing are all on the agenda for the Arkansas Pecan Growers Association’s annual education meeting on May 4 in Lonoke.

Faulkner Co. Roundup gets second-graders face to face with ag

CONWAY, Ark. – The hives, hooves, horns and plants of the 2019 Farm Round Up will bring agriculture up close and personal for the more than 1,150 second graders registered to take part in the April 17-18 event.

Star City junior wins state championship in Soybean Science Challenge

CONWAY, Ark. — A Star City junior won the Soybean Science Challenge state championship at the 2019 State Soybean Science Challenge award at the Southwestern Energy Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair at Central Arkansas University in Conway, March 30. 

Arkansas rice production bounced back in 2018

LITTLE ROCK — After a bruising 2017, in which substantial spring flooding cost growers in the state an estimated $175 million in lost production and damaged acreage, rice growers saw higher production in 2018 than in any of the three previous years, according to an April 4 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

With 2019’s rough weather behind them, Arkansas Flower and Garden Show board members begin thinking about 2020: A Garden Odyssey

LITTLE ROCK – After nearly three decades, the Arkansas Flower and Garden Show has seen its share of of highs and lows. And while the freezing rain of early March dealt both attendees and organizers a tough hand in 2019, it hasn’t deterred board members from looking forward to what’s expected to be a landmark year for the show in 2020.

Watermelon, cover crop demonstrations scheduled for Alma, Hope

LITTLE ROCK – Watermelon growers interested in use of cover crops and seedless varieties will be able to see relevant University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture research in action at two field days in May.

Salem junior takes Soybean Science Challenge Award award at ASU Science Fair

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Salem High School junior has won the Soybean Science Challenge at the 2019 Northeast Arkansas Regional Science Fair, held at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro, on March 8.

Horticultural field day to help growers succeed with produce, identify common pests

HOPE, Ark. – The 2019 Horticultural Field Day is scheduled for May 16 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope. The day-long event will include a symposium of experts speaking on subjects ranging from blackberry, blueberry and muscadine production to identifying and managing troublesome pests, including root-knot nematodes and common diseases.

U of A poultry science expert recognized by national Research Chefs Association

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A professor and poultry expert with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has been named a recipient of the 2019 President’s Award from the Research Chefs Association, a national professional association dedicated to culinary arts and the science of food.