News - July 2019

Reminder: Friday’s rice field day offers peek into new hybrid varieties, furrow-irrigation trails and more

STUTTGART, Ark. – Producers, consultants and other agriculture industry professionals will be offered a first look this Friday into the latest in rice-related research and more from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Flood recovery meeting for ag producers set for Aug. 15 at Conway County Fairgrounds

MORRILTON, Ark.  – Arkansas farmers affected by the spring’s record-breaking flooding will be able to learn about available options for recovery efforts at a meeting Aug. 15 at the Conway County Fairgrounds.

Arkansas youth attend camp to learn more about livestock, communication skills

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The annual Livestock Judging Camp brought lessons about priorities in livestock selection, current industry trends and communication skills to two dozen Arkansas students from across the state this June, with hopes of cultivating a new generation of experts.

Ag Roundtable: Farmers need to diversify; reduce reliance on China as a customer

LONOKE, Ark.  – An agricultural roundtable on Monday presented two key takeaways for farmers: find ways to reduce their reliance on China as a market, and don’t count on Market Facilitation Program payments to become permanent.

What USDA’s Market Facilitation Program means for Arkansas farmers

JONESBORO, Ark.  – Not long after Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced details of a support package for farmers, Scott Stiles' phone started ringing.

Division pours brewer interest into Aug. 15 hops workshop

LITTLE ROCK – An explosion in craft brewing in Arkansas has raised interest in hops, a crop whose commercial potential is being evaluated by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Industry Alliance Meeting showcases research that could fight nutrient deficiencies; examines AWD rice production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Rice, already a staple grain for billions around the planet, could become an even more important food source with additional nutrients. Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Processing Program presented this, and other hopeful insights based upon their academic research at the Annual Industry Alliance Meeting.

Rice Research and Extension Center hosts visit by Commodity Futures Trading Commissioner

STUTTGART, Ark. – Wednesday wasn’t a typical day in the office for Dan Berkovitz, a commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, who traded a desk in Washington for a morning among green rows and blue skies at the Rice Research and Extension Center.

Burnett wins Governor’s Award, highest honor in Arkansas 4-H

LITTLE ROCK – Sagely Burnett was honored Wednesday as the Arkansas 4-H Governor’s Award winner, the youth development program’s highest honor.

Breakthrough Solutions speaker describes how digital economy offers new opportunities for rural communities

LITTLE ROCK – As the nature of working life continues to shift away from manual labor and local manufacturing, creating a digital ecosystem will likely prove key to revitalizing rural areas.

Division of Agriculture to host July 29 farmer roundtable on 2019 growing season

LITTLE ROCK – The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is hosting a roundtable discussion and economic overview for crop and livestock producers on July 29 at the Lonoke Extension Center.

Kegley elected president of American Society of Animal Science

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Beth Kegley, professor of animal science for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been elected president of the American Society of Animal Science.

Looper receives American Society of Animal Science Administration Award

AUSTIN, Texas – Michael Looper, head of the animal science department for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, received the 2019 American Society of Animal Science Fellow Award for Administration during the July 8 opening ceremony at the 2019 ASAS-CSAS annual meeting in Austin, Texas. 

Ag communications professor elected treasurer of professional organization

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jeff Miller, professor of agricultural communications in the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, has been elected treasurer by the national membership of the Association for Communication Excellence in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life and Human Sciences.

Hundreds expected on Fayetteville campus for 2019 Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ready. Set. Ignite! Hundreds of 4-H members from across Arkansas will be on the Fayetteville campus this week for State O-Rama, a week of competition, inspiration and recognition.

Some rice and soybean growers face latest twist in difficult year

LITTLE ROCK – While most of Arkansas may have escaped the worst of what Hurricane Barry augured in potential wind and rain, crops in many areas are struggling to move past the primary and secondary effects of the latest twist in an already difficult year.

Division of Agriculture remembers Milo J. Shult for dedication and public service

LITTLE ROCK – Milo J. Shult, the longest-serving head of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, is being remembered for his dedication to improving the lives of Arkansans through research, extension and education, as well as his life of public service.

Record blackberry reflective of a wet season

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. – As with every season, high summer in central Arkansas has its own traditions — not least among them, the hunt for the largest berries in the land.

SW Arkansas bears brunt of Barry’s rain

LITTLE ROCK – With rainfall totals of more than a foot in some places on Tuesday, the slow-moving remnants of Hurricane Barry washed out roads, shuttered businesses and had ranchers checking to be sure their cattle hadn’t drowned.

Aug. 8 Pine Tree Field day has comprehensive soy, rice tours

PINE TREE, Ark. – Soybean seeding rates, effects of urea application on soy protein concentration and how drones are used in multiple inlet irrigation in rice are among the topics included in the tours set for the Aug. 8 field day at the Pine Tree Research Station.

Barry’s wet and windy saunter through state brings worries to Arkansas farmers

LITTLE ROCK – The slow-rolling bête noir that was Barry was best summed up in a tweet by Stephen Hoskyn, who farms near Stuttgart: “Tropical Storm Barry is like that friend that comes over, drinks too much, and then won’t leave hours after all the sensible folks left.”

Arkansas peach wins first, second place in premier Alabama festival

CLANTON, Ala. — Mark Knight wasn’t even considering entering a white-fleshed peach in the Chilton County Peach Festival contest in Alabama this year. His daughters talked him into it.

Aug. 2 Rice Field Day features updates on weeds, drones, furrow irrigation 

STUTTGART, Ark. – Weed management, furrow irrigation and drone use in agriculture are all on the agenda Aug. 2 for the annual Rice Field Day being hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture at the Rice Research and Extension Center in Stuttgart.

Space program spinoff keeps food supply safe

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing is a reminder of the scores of technological advances that came out of America’s space program, including cordless appliances and retractable stadium roofs — and one innovation consumers experience nearly every time they eat: a process called HACCP, or Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. 

Arkansas cotton crop finally coming out of rough early-season problems?

MARIANNA, Ark. -- While Arkansas cotton crop management is being complicated by a wide range of planting dates, and though late, the dreaded Fourth of July bollworm moth flight still looms. There are also a handful of other things growers need to keep an eye out for.

Arkansas fruit specialist McWhirt honored at international horticulture symposium

ZURICH – An Arkansas extension horticulture specialist has been honored by the International Society for Horticultural Science with its 2019 Young Minds Award for best presentation.

Research trials examine potential benefits of cover crops in watermelon production

HOPE, Ark. – Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are conducting a series of experimental trials that may help the state’s watermelon growers improve their yields while improving the soil and reducing pest pressure.

Glyphosate trials, hemp laws addressed in 2019 congressional briefing

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Congressional staffers working with agricultural law and policy issues received a briefing on the latest developments in herbicide litigation, industrial hemp and cultured meat from senior staff attorneys with the National Agricultural Law Center.

Cover crops, regenerative agriculture hot topics for July 25 field day

MARIANNA, Ark. – When it comes to ag, the prettiest fields aren’t always the most profitable.

Barry could pose a triple threat to Arkansas rice crop already weathering a hard year

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’ rice crop, delayed by a wet spring and bludgeoned by high heat, is now facing a triple threat from Tropical Storm Barry, whose remnants are expected to drop heavy rain on the eastern side of the state on Sunday.

Arkansas corn acreage 2nd highest in history despite planting delays

MARIANNA, Ark. – Despite all of the struggles to get corn planted last spring, the June 28 USDA crop acreage report indicated Arkansas farmers planted approximately 810,000 acres of corn in 2019. That is the second highest acreage in recent history, only slightly behind the record year of 2013.

Managing weeds, insects, fertility in corn, cotton, rice, soybeans Rohwer Field Day Agenda on July 18

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Better ways to manage weeds, soil fertility and learning the latest in variety breeding and testing are part of the wide-ranging agenda at the July 18 Row Crops Field Day at the Rohwer Research Station.

Division of Ag researchers work to improve wine made with Arkansas grapes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas’s climate is tough on grapes destined for wine, but what may be tougher is finding the right style to turn those grapes into ones that will delight both the nose and palate.

Can thumping help you pick the perfect watermelon? Horticulture experts weigh in

LITTLE ROCK – You’ve seen them. Buyers thumping, listening, sniffing, lifting and peering, all in the quest for the perfect watermelon.

Division of Agriculture hosts international program for mite researchers, inspectors

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — International agricultural trade is a benefit to the world, but it comes with hidden dangers in the form of tiny hitchhikers that can unleash havoc on a nation’s farms.

Hunting leases: what you need to know, explained in July 17 webinar

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Leasing property for recreational use, such as hunting, can be a source of additional income, but these leases come with more factors than landowners may expect.

Soil moisture sensors, irrigation water management topic of July 3 Soil and Water Conservation virtual field trip

LITTLE ROCK – Learn about the technological advances that will help growers increase irrigation efficiency and maintain sustainability during a Soil and Water Conservation Virtual Field Trip set for July 3.

Burcham named director of NE Rice Research and Extension Center

JONESBORO, Ark. – Tim Burcham will be stepping up his duties with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as director of its planned Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center.