News - June 2023

June 30, 2023

Tomato, corn pests in town for the 4th of July 

LITTLE ROCK – As summer moves along, the season is running according to plan for many Arkansas crops – including annual pest issues. 

June 30, 2023

Could drones be the future of corn production?

PINE TREE, Ark. — When attendees of the 2023 Corn Field Day were asked how many use drones for their field crop operation, only two hands went up. But researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture believe this number could grow over the next five years.

June 30, 2023

Higgins, Miller recognized in national communications contest

CINCINNATI — Two staffers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture came away from the National Federation of Press Women national communication conference with honors.

June 30, 2023

U.S. malaria cases emphasize need for insect protection, entomologist says

LITTLE ROCK — All it took was one mosquito bite to launch Bob Scott on a multi-week-long struggle against malaria.

June 30, 2023

Division of Agriculture welcomes Mahfouz as general counsel

LITTLE ROCK — Nga Mahfouz is bringing more than 25 years of public and private sector experience as she joins the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture as its general counsel.

June 30, 2023

Pests, weeds, variety trials focus of Horticulture Field Day in Hope

HOPE, Ark. — More than 130 people braved the heat Wednesday at the 2023 Horticulture Field Day to hear from experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture on issues facing Arkansas specialty crop growers.

June 30, 2023

Mid-South soil health study seeks links between tillage, carbon sinks, yield potential

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As much as the Mississippi Delta has been farmed, the impact that agronomic practices such as cover crops, carbon sequestration, reduced tillage, and nutrient management have on Delta soil quality has not been heavily investigated.

June 28, 2023

EPA to issue new WOTUS rule by Sept. 1

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers plan to issue a revised definition of waters of the United States, or WOTUS, by Sept. 1, the EPA said in a court filing on Monday.

June 28, 2023

July 12 NALC webinar to detail USDA’s label approval requirements for meat, poultry

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Given the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent expansion of the type of meat and poultry labels that may be generically approved, it’s even more important that companies know what category their label falls in, said Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC Principal John Dillard.

June 27, 2023

Soil management survey seeks answers from farmers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Soil fertility can heavily impact production agriculture. With several sampling, testing, and tracking options available, researchers want to know how Arkansas producers approach soil fertility management. 

June 27, 2023

Practice sun safety to enjoy summer fun and avoid sunburn, skin cancer

LITTLE ROCK — As summer temperatures heat up and Arkansans enjoy the Natural State’s many hiking trails, swimming holes and state parks, it’s important to practice sun safety by using and reapplying sunscreen and avoiding prolonged sun exposure during the hottest parts of the day. 

June 26, 2023

Extension Livestock Clinic offers hands-on skills for youth new to show ring

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Aside from the practicality of raising animals for income or food, there’s also the thrill of stepping into the show ring with a prized animal and winning accolades. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a free Livestock 101 Clinic on July 15 for youth interested in learning to show cattle, sheep, market and dairy goats, sheep, swine, rabbits and poultry.

June 23, 2023

Division of Agriculture veteran to show new extension agents ‘how it’s done’

LITTLE ROCK – With 30 years of experience under his belt, Chad Norton is ready to shepherd in the next generation of agriculture extension agents in Arkansas.

Celebrating Arkansas Blackberry Month with research, education

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proclaimed June as Arkansas Blackberry Month and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture celebrated by hosting a field day to showcase its research and education efforts.

New ornamental horticulture specialist followed winding path to arrive at extension

LITTLE ROCK — From the time he was a boy spending summers on his grandparents’ farm, Anthony Bowden knew he was destined for some aspect of agriculture. But it wasn’t until the final semester of his undergraduate studies that he veered from row crop agronomy to horticulture.

Tenth annual Mid-South Conference looks behind the bench at SCOTUS

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The common portrayal that the U.S. Supreme Court as being made up of liberal vs. conservative voting blocs simply isn’t true, said Tim Bishop, an attorney who has argued significant cases before the high court.

First food product rolls out from Expanding Farmers’ Opportunities in northwest Arkansas Program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Aromatic steam rose off a cooking vat in the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s Arkansas Food Innovation Center earlier this month while rows of glass jars stood ready to receive a savory, tomato-based sauce. You won’t find this product on your supermarket shelves but at the farmers markets in northwest Arkansas.

Extension forestry specialist named state forester

LITTLE ROCK — Kyle Cunningham, a longtime extension forestry specialist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been appointed state forester for Arkansas.

Extension plans forestry management workshop in DeGray region

BISMARCK, Ark. — With more than half of Arkansas covered in forests, a lot depends on how well those woodlands are managed. Air and water quality, wildlife habitat and jobs that sustain the state’s economy are all directly affected.

Jackson County Extension Center celebrates opening of Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Producers Building

NEWPORT, Ark. — Jackson County Extension Center’s newest building — the Arkansas Corn and Grain Sorghum Producers Building — is open for business and already being put to use.

Muscadine wine rises to the top in 2023 AQW competition

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The humble native grape has shouldered aside wines made with traditional grapes, as judges named Wiederkehr Wine Cellars’ White Muscadine the best of show in the 2023 Arkansas Quality Wine competition.

Search launched for new Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service director

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture has launched the search for a new director for its outreach arm, the Cooperative Extension Service. 

Nitrogen and drones on agenda for 2023 Arkansas Corn Field Day

COLT, Ark. — Producers looking to implement optimized management practices in large-scale corn production won’t want to miss the 2023 Corn Field Day. The event, hosted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will feature discussions of mid-season tissue sampling, multiple uses for drones and more.

NALC webinar to provide overview of U.S. charitable food system

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Food insecurity affects more than 34 million Americans in the United States and more than a quarter of them are children, according to Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station recognizes employees for career performance

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station has honored five faculty and staff with Early Career Recognition of Professional Excellence Awards. The RoPE Awards recognize outstanding performance.

Celebrate Arkansas Farmer’s Market Week June 11-17

LITTLE ROCK — As summer arrives in the Natural State, many Arkansans are heading to their local farmer’s markets for fresh produce and other farm products. Rip Weaver, extension food systems and food safety technician for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said farmer’s markets are an important source for healthy, fresh and affordable food, especially for communities with limited access to such food. 

Arkansas 4-H honors teen leaders, announces Hall of Fame inductee 

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H honored some of its best and brightest leaders June 7, inducting its newest member of the Arkansas 4-H Hall of Fame and announcing 54 new Teen Stars who are leaders in their clubs and communities.

Arkansas blackberries take the stage at 2023 Summer Blackberry Field Tour

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — Despite a cold snap early in the season, there will be plenty of Arkansas blackberries to go around at the 2023 Summer Blackberry Field Tour.

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station taps into solar energy

A 25-year solar service agreement with Entegrity Partners will provide renewable energy for over 80 percent of the annual electricity consumption at the Milo J. Shult Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Fayetteville.

Researchers turn to AI, remote sensing to find cause of pine decline

LITTLE ROCK — Researchers plan to use artificial intelligence and remote sensing alongside some good old-fashioned detective work to find the cause of the pine decline seen in parts of Arkansas.

Artificial intelligence in agriculture isn’t the future; it’s now

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Cengiz Koparan knows first-hand the need for agricultural technology.

Dry weather patterns leave pastures thirsty; ranchers worried

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas livestock producers may be getting a little worried as their forage and hay pastures turn thirsty and rainfall is more random and scattered.

Sessions on heirs’ property, health care planning for farmers to kick off Mid-South conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — What happens to the farm when something happens to the current generation? The June 8-9 Mid-South Agricultural & Environmental Law has two sessions on topics that especially impact farm families: heirs’ property and long-term health care planning for farmers.

Director of United Nations Forum on Forests visits 4-H Forestry Competition

MONTICELLO, Ark. — After a years-long hiatus, the Arkansas 4-H Forestry Competition returned to the University of Arkansas at Monticello this May, with an especially notable guest in attendance.

Land grants, collaborators launch Southern Ag Today digital platform

LITTLE ROCK — More than a dozen land-grant institutions, including the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, have collaborated with three other entities to launch Southern Ag Today, a digital platform aimed at providing timely, concise and insightful analysis facing southern agriculture. 

Restaurateur-turned-farmer gets first goods to local farmer’s markets

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — As farmer's markets reopen for the summer, communities are feeling and tasting the impact of the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food's programs.

Division of Agriculture staff score 12 awards in APW annual competition

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Seven University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture staffers shared a dozen awards in the 2023 Communications Contest held by Arkansas Press Women.