News - February 2023

Experiment Station, Bumpers faculty selected for LEAD21 leadership program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Two faculty members with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences have been selected to participate in this year's Class 19 LEAD21 program.

Create savings plan, set financial goals during America Saves Week

LITTLE ROCK — For many people, saving money can appear so daunting that it might seem impossible. America Saves Week, which runs Feb. 27-March 3, is designed to help Americans set a savings goal and make a plan to achieve it. 

Cooperative Extension Service to offer produce safety grower training March 16 in Jonesboro

JONESBORO, Ark. — For commercial produce growers, keeping produce free of microbial contamination and reducing foodborne illness is critical to the health and success of their business. To support these efforts, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will offer a one-day, in-person produce safety training workshop for fruit and vegetable growers. 

From UA-Monticello

Farm Bill listening session draws interest from southeast Arkansas farmers, businesses

MONTICELLO, Ark.— The University of Arkansas at Monticello’s Agriculture auditorium was near capacity on Feb. 21 as farmers, businessmen, bankers, educators, and other stakeholders gathered for a listening session on the 2023 Farm Bill.

Division of Ag’s Fields to moderate March 17 panel discussion for water lecture

LITTLE ROCK — Deacue Fields, vice president-agriculture for the University of Arkansas System, will serve as moderator March 17 for a Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lecture Series event focused on water.

Wonders of Waterfowl: 4-H members get bird’s eye view of wildlife management

HUMPHREY, Ark. — Learning takes on new dimensions when the classroom is the great outdoors. That was the case for 50 Arkansas 4-H members who gathered at the Five Oaks Agriculture Research and Education Center on a cool February Saturday to learn about one of Arkansas’ star attractions — the ducks, of course.

Arkansas 4-H members head to Little Rock for 4-H Day at the Capitol

LITTLE ROCK — Expect to soon see green at the State Capitol. Nearly 500 Arkansas 4-H members, agents and volunteers will be in Little Rock on Feb. 28 for 4-H Day at the Capitol – all wearing their signature 4-H green.

Ark-La-Tex feral hog damage assessment provides deeper understanding

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Managing feral swine — the land-damaging, disease-carrying wild hogs that roam throughout the country — starts with good data, according to Nana Tian, a forest economics researcher for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center.

Ranchers get full day of production advice at Little Red River Beef Cattle Conference

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. — You can’t judge a bale of hay by its cover, but you can use a Cowculator to help make better decisions.

Think green, give green: March 17 is a day to help Arkansas 4-H

FERNDALE, Ark.  —  See some green. Give some green.

Mitchell: We haven’t reached the bottom yet in U.S. cattle inventories

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. — The decline in the cattle inventory in the United States probably hasn’t hit the bottom yet, said James Mitchell, extension livestock economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Congress urged to strengthen price, revenue supports, crop insurance programs at Farm Bill listening session

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Farmers urged Congress strengthen price and revenue support programs, take a new look at crop insurance and streamline the way for migrant labor during a Farm Bill listening session held Tuesday at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

SIDEBAR 

Shipman: Delayed budget could influence development of 2023 Farm Bill

UNDATED — Uncertainty over President Biden’s budget and whether Congress can achieve true bipartisan agreement are among the challenges facing the 2023 Farm Bill, said Hunt Shipman, principal and director of Cornerstone Government Affairs.

Scott recognized for distinguished service to rice research, education

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — A national body of rice researchers has awarded the Distinguished Service Award to Bob Scott, senior associate vice president – extension for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Rhoads named Fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — University Professor Douglas Rhoads has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest general scientific society and publisher of the journal Science.

2023 irrigation schools set for Feb. 24, March 3

STUTTGART, Ark. — Two irrigation schools covering surge valves and soil sensor use are scheduled for Feb. 24 and March 3, according to Chris Henry, professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Kyung Soo Kim, retired Division of Agriculture researcher, dies at 89

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kyung Soo Kim, a retired professor of plant pathology for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences at the University of Arkansas, died Feb. 8.

‘Homesteading with Independence’ conference planned for March 1

BATESVILLE, Ark. — Homesteading appeals to those who seek self-reliance and self-sufficiency, so what better place to host a homesteading conference than in Independence County?

New researcher works the intersection of statistics, biology, computer science

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Rich Adams builds new statistical algorithms to make sense of the biological data from DNA, RNA, proteins and other complexities of biology.

Delay pruning woody ornamental plants damaged by winter temperatures

LITTLE ROCK — Woody ornamental plants that suffered damage from this winter’s single-digit temperatures and wind chills shouldn’t be pruned until spring growth begins, said Randy Forst, extension consumer horticulture educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas 4-H youth aim for perfection in BB shooting

LITTLE ROCK — One bullseye might be considered a lucky shot. But 40 perfect shots is undeniable skill. That’s exactly what Madison County 4-H member Caleb Mahan,15, did to become the top shot in this year’s Arkansas 4-H BB Shooting Competition.

Discovery Farms Conference conversations center on conservation; bringing new farmers, funds into the field

FERNDALE, Ark. — Farmers must not only conserve the soil and water it has today, but it must also seed the ground for future farmers and public efforts to strengthen agriculture, speakers at the Arkansas Discovery Farms Conservation Conference, said on Wednesday.

Arkansas ag researchers seek climate-resilient rice as part of USDA grant

STUTTGART, Ark. — Scientists at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Rice Research and Extension Center seek to develop rice that is more resilient in the face of climate change and usable water depletion.

Crop science M.S. student places second in international yield prediction contest

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Igor Fernandes, a master's degree student in crop, soil and environmental sciences in the University of Arkansas’ Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, recently placed second in an international prediction contest conducted by the Genomes to Fields Initiative.

Teaching method increases students’ interest in programming and breadboarding

FAYETTEVILLE — Researchers validated a curriculum development model that increased the confidence and interest of beginning agricultural students learning how to breadboard and program Arduino UNOs.

Registration opens Feb. 27 for spring edition of Walk Across Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — The start of a new year often includes resolutions to develop better exercise habits and improve physical health. Walk Across Arkansas, an eight-week, group-based exercise program supported by the Cooperative Extension Service, is designed to help Arkansans get moving. 

Center for Arkansas Farms and Food back in action with public events set in March

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food has several educational and networking events planned for March following the kickoff of its 2023 Farm School and Apprenticeship programs. 

New Arkansas medium-grain rice Taurus in high demand as drought plagues California

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The new conventional medium-grain and long-grain rice varieties developed by the Arkansas researchers to achieve increased yield potential are proving popular with seed growers.

Arkansas engineering faculty member recognized for outreach to aid poultry sustainability efforts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Yi Liang, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering, was recognized on Jan. 13 for her outreach efforts to assist the poultry industry in solving its biggest challenges.

U.S. beef cattle inventory lowest since 1962

LITTLE ROCK — Beef cattle inventories across the United States are at their lowest point in more than six decades, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Arkansas APEX Accelerator program changes name to APEX Accelerator

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center — part of the Cooperative Extension Service — is changing its name to Arkansas APEX Accelerator, but its mission to boost small businesses remains the same. 

Feb. 15 webinar focuses on successful estate planning for farm families

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Heir strategies, distribution plans, incorporating trusts, and more: a lot goes into estate planning. Preparing for the future can present challenges for farm families, but it can also set families on a path towards success.

Extension book review series spotlights leadership

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has kicked off the Leadership Book Review Series, which summarizes key themes and takeaways from a new book each month – all in the time it takes to eat lunch.

Well Rooted Homesteading Conference offers workshops in living sustainably, self-reliantly

ASHDOWN, Ark. — The Little River County Extension Office will host its first Well Rooted Homesteading Conference, with workshops in everything from chickens to cheesemaking, designed to help folks learn to live sustainably and self-reliantly.

Janet B. Carson Master Gardener scholarship open to high school seniors

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas high school seniors interested in pursuing a plant sciences degree may benefit from a scholarship opportunity available through the Arkansas Master Gardener program. 

Feb. 28: Learn the art of pruning for specialty crops at Fruit Research Station workshop

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Fruit and pecan growers who want to sharpen their pruning skills to enhance growth and yields can learn from the professionals at the Fruit Research Station during a half-day workshop on Feb. 28.

Winter Forage Conference, focused on surviving drought, rescheduled to Feb 23

EL PASO, Ark. — The Winter Forage Conference, originally planned for Feb. 2, has been rescheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23.

How to keep your food safe during a power outage

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food safety is on the minds of many Arkansans this week, with over 72,000 customers losing power during the icy weather.

Farm stress in one generation can reach into the future

LITTLE ROCK — Steve Watkins knows that farm stress isn’t just a current problem, but one that also “reaches into the future” of farm families.

American Society of Animal Science names Arkansas researcher distinguished service award winner

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Beth Kegley, professor of animal science for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, has been named recipient of the 2023 Southern Section Animal Science Distinguished Service Award by the American Society of Animal Science.

Arkansas turfgrass research shows drones adaptable to golf course water, labor issues

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, used by turfgrass scientists at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station offer potential solutions for two of the biggest challenges in turfgrass management.

Ice storm recovery: Assess the damage safely

Cold comfort: Ensuring a newborn calf’s survival during a sleet storm

JUDSONIA, Ark. — Making sure cattle have enough food and water during an ice storm is hard enough, but being a midwife too adds a whole new layer of challenge.

Feed your need: National Agricultural Law Center launches bi-weekly ag update

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The body of laws, policies and regulations affecting agriculture is vast and fast-changing, but the National Agricultural Law Center has introduced The Feed, a biweekly newsletter aimed at keeping industry professionals up to date.