News - August 2025

New direct-fed probiotic for poultry, swine commercially released

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new probiotic discovered by poultry science researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station recently became commercially available through co-development with KENT Nutrition Group and a partnership with Life Products, Inc. of Norfolk, Nebraska.

Arkansas 4-H hosts International 4-H Camp, welcomes youth from three countries

LITTLE ROCK — For Gabriella Pardo, a member of Texas 4-H who attended the International 4-H Camp hosted in Arkansas, global citizenship involves meaningful connections with neighbors near and far.

Risk and opportunity: Arkansas’ forest growth outpacing timber harvest

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas’ tree growth is outpacing removals, but the abundance doesn’t just signal a rich timber supply. It also increases the risks for disease, pests and wildfires. A trio of researchers took a deeper look at the gap and the factors behind it.

Better breakfast month: Why breakfast matters

LITTLE ROCK — Good timing and the right foods can turn breakfast into a something of a superpower — a meal that can improve cognition, memory and metabolic health. 

SIDEBAR: Better breakfast month: Fuel your day the right way

LITTLE ROCK — We’ve all heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and it’s true! 

SIDEBAR: Breakfast recipes from the Cooperative Extension Service

UNDATED — Need some ideas for easy, healthy breakfasts? Check out these recipes from the Cooperative Extension Service. 

Extension opens applications for 2026 Experiential Scholars Program

LITTLE ROCK — For undergraduate juniors and seniors pursuing careers in water and soil conservation, health and nutrition or community and economic development, the Experiential Scholars Program offers an opportunity for valuable mentorship and hands-on learning in a paid, nine-week summer internship.  

Calcium tests in poultry offer chance for improved feed efficiency

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — One percentage point of feed conversion loss in large-scale poultry production can cause millions in lost revenue, so even small improvements — like fine-tuning a single nutrient in feed — can make a big difference.

Ross: ‘Could be some Christmas soybeans’

UNDATED — Jeremy Ross isn’t expecting Arkansas’ soybean harvest to be a quick affair.

Arkansas corn harvest accelerating, rice finding its stride

JONESBORO, Ark. — Harvest has begun in Arkansas and corn growers are moving ahead of last year’s pace, while rice growers are starting to find their stride, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

AI in Agriculture Symposium, hackathon set for September in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The inaugural AI in Ag Symposium, hosted by the Center for Agricultural Data Analytics within the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, will highlight the latest in AI research and real-world applications for agriculture on Sept. 15.

Mitchell named Fryar Center associate director-extension

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — James Mitchell’s appointment as associate director of extension at the Fryar Price Risk Management Center helps the center close a critical gap.

Registration for fall edition of Walk Across Arkansas opens Aug. 25

LITTLE ROCK — What starts with your feet can do a world of good for your brain, said Bryce Daniels, assistant professor and state extension health specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

From curiosity to confidence: How EFNEP transformed one Arkansan’s health journey

MARIANNA, Ark. — Melodie White found that EFNEP is more than just an acronym; it was a pathway to a healthier life.

New soil microbiologist aims to study plant-microbe relationships, improve crop growth

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Following an unexpected path from dreams of medical school to agricultural science, soil microbiologist Mark McDonald is eager to improve soil health and crop growth by investigating plant-microbe relationships.

Monarchs, milkweed and migration

LITTLE ROCK — A pollinator admired for its beauty and migratory endurance; monarch butterflies are being proposed for addition as an endangered species and some in Arkansas are supporting these highly recognizable insects as they migrate and breed.

SIDEBAR: Mystery of the Methuselah monarchs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The  Methuselah monarchs — those that make the multi-thousand-mile flying commute between the United States and central Mexico  — are different from the monarchs that flit around in the milkweed all summer

Fungal disease threatens pine plantations in Arkansas – UAM’s Arkansas Forest Health Research Center fights back

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Forest health experts from the University of Arkansas at Monticello have identified brown spot needle blight on loblolly pine in 11 additional counties in Arkansas this year, bringing the total number of confirmed counties to 25.

Rice Research and Extension Center field day brings ag professionals face-to-face with the reality of 2025

STUTTGART, Ark. — “As the saying goes: If you don’t have anything nice to say, come stand by me,” said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, kicking off his 2025 crop report at the annual Rice Research and Extension Center field day.

Tropical systems spin up Mid-South crop insurance rates

LITTLE ROCK — Farmers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, pay four to six times more for crop insurance than their counterparts in the upper Midwest, and Hunter Biram wanted to know why.

Youngest members of state Master Gardener program learn, grow in Craighead County

JONESBORO, Ark. — As the youngest members of Arkansas’ Master Gardener program, siblings Jakin and Elia Riddle said they are happy to use their training to spread beauty in Craighead County.

Spring bumper hay crop followed by dry fall in Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas is expected to harvest more hay over more acres this year than last, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Wastewater and nutrient management engineer aims to help farmers boost profitability, protect the environment

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, according to wastewater and nutrient management engineer Yiting Xiao.

NASS sees Arkansas corn, peanut acres rise, while cotton, soybean acres fall

JONESBORO, Ark. — Estimated corn and peanut acres in Arkansas are up since March, while cotton and soybean acreage estimates have been pared back by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Smart golf balls and fields fit for the Hogs: 2025 turf field day presents research, tech

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — About 200 participants attended this year’s Turfgrass Field Day and learned the latest research and technology to help keep their golf courses, lawns and sports fields in top shape.

Tick-borne pathogen Theileria orientalis detected in Cleveland County cattle

RISON, Ark. — A tick-transmitted livestock disease has been confirmed in Cleveland County for the first time, bringing to 11 the number of Arkansas counties with Theileria orientalis detections.

August NALC webinar to explore agricultural labor law

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — From wage rates to worker programs, navigating agricultural labor laws can be complex — but an August webinar from the National Agricultural Law Center will help producers and other professionals sort through it all.

Study: Soybeans seem to inherit the bad memories of their parents

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When soybean plants survive attacks from insects and periods of drought, they remember.

Arkansas 4-H alumna appointed to National 4-H Young Alumni Advisory Committee

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For Arkansas 4-H alumna Diamond Jones, advocating for the next generation of 4-H members is “like watering a plant,” she said. “We grew from seeds, and now it’s time to help these new flowers bloom.”

Rice and soybeans to be highlighted at Pine Tree Field Day on August 14

COLT, Ark. — The latest rice and soybean research and recommendations will be the focus of the upcoming Pine Tree Field Day on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Howard County 4-H team wins 2025 Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge

LITTLE ROCK — For the Howard County 4-H Culinary Clovers, their first-place win at the 2025 Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge came as the result of quick thinking, teamwork and months of practice.

Rice Research and Extension Center to host annual field day

STUTTGART, Ark. — One of Arkansas’ longest-running institutions focused on the art and science of rice production will hold its annual field day on Thursday, Aug. 7.

Rice milling yields and ‘Make America Healthy Again’ top discussions at 2025 NERREC Field Day

HARRISBURG, Ark. — From the broad scope of national agricultural law, to the more narrow perspective of Arkansas rice conditions, the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center Field Day covered all bases for corn, rice and soybean producers in Arkansas.

Arkansas 4-H forestry team wins first place at National 4-H Forestry Invitational

WESTON, W.Va. — The Arkansas competitor who wound up with the highest individual score at the National 4-H Forestry Invitational said she knew little about forestry when she was invited to join what would become the national-title-winning Montgomery County team.

Lonoke County 4-H, Master Gardeners team up to host Green Thumb Camp

LONOKE, Ark. — When deciding on a theme for Lonoke County Extension’s last 4-H day camp of the summer, Kristi Warren turned to the Master Gardeners to share their plant knowledge and passion for horticulture. 

Arkansas 4-H Foundation awards more than $100,000 in scholarships, sponsorships

LITTLE ROCK — Paying for college got a little easier for several Arkansas 4-H members.

The Arkansas 4-H Foundation awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships and sponsorships to 4-H members who have demonstrated excellence in their projects and leadership abilities.