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News - December 2025
| Date | Article |
|---|---|
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
Hightower to retire after more than two decades with Division of Agriculture LITTLE ROCK — Mary Hightower, chief communications officer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, will retire from the organization in January 2026 after 23 years of service. |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: Ag seeking the light at the end of the tunnel LITTLE ROCK — Following one of agriculture’s darkest years, some farmers are looking
for anything that might improve the bottom line, while others are looking for the
exit. |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Foreign ownership of farmland, questions over whether federal law pre-empts state tort law liability and another round of proposed rules for the Clean Water and Endangered Species acts, were among the biggest stories in ag and environmental law in 2025, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. |
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND SIDEBAR: 2026 enterprise budgets ‘a step in the right direction’ JONESBORO, Ark. — The annual crop enterprise budgets created by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, aren’t just as tool to help farmers manage the crop season to come, they are a mirror of farming’s economic landscape. |
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: New year, new proposed WOTUS definition FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Foreign ownership of farmland, questions over whether federal law pre-empts state tort law liability and another round of proposed rules for the Clean Water and Endangered Species acts, were among the biggest stories in ag and environmental law in 2025, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. |
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: 2025 proves another trying year for Arkansas soybean growers LITTLE ROCK — 2025 was an uphill fight and then some for most Arkansas growers, especially those heavily invested in soybean acres. |
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: 2025 a year of highs and lows for Arkansas rice growers LITTLE ROCK — Across the board, row crop farming in 2025 was not an easy row to hoe in Arkansas — and rice production was no exception. |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: Arkansas forestry industry closes strong in 2025 despite declining timber prices While timber prices have shown signs of decline in 2025, Arkansas’ forestry sector continues to demonstrate resilience, innovation and economic significance across the state and the broader southeastern United States |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: Poultry farmers continue to battle avian flu in 2025, aMPV in turkeys FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While egg prices are back down to normal levels, chicken meat
is reasonably inexpensive and Thanksgiving turkey prices were comparable to last year, avian influenza remained a serious threat to the poultry
industry in 2025. |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: 2025 Arkansas corn acreage up ‘dramatically’ despite historic April floods LITTLE ROCK — Despite severe flood damage in April of 2025 that caused producers to replant or delay planting, Arkansas corn acreage increased significantly this year compared to 2024 |
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: Beef prices keep climbing, no signs of cattle herd rebuild in 2025 FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Beef prices are projected to continue increasing as U.S. beef production declines with no signs of a cattle herd rebuild. |
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Dec. 22, 2025 |
YEAREND: Arkansas strawberry growers pivot with new varieties for 2025-26 crop LITTLE ROCK — After an emerging disease swept the strawberry industry in 2024, many growers and plant suppliers are looking to new, potentially resistant varieties for the 2025-26 crop. |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
LITTLE ROCK — With excessive rainfall at planting and hot, dry weather mid-season,
Arkansas cotton growers were relieved to finally catch a break with a smooth harvest
in 2025. But that relief may be overshadowed by a downward-trending cotton market. |
|
Dec. 22, 2025 |
MONTICELLO, Ark. — On Dec. 3, Union Bank & Trust Co. gifted $100,000 in support of the recently created Snowden Waterfowl Center of Excellence, a nationally unique research center dedicated to advancing waterfowl and wetlands science based at the University of Arkansas at Monticello in partnership with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. |
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Dec. 20, 2025 |
New year, new proposed WOTUS definition FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have submitted a proposed new definition of waters of the United States, or WOTUS, but the situation is very fluid, said Brigit Rollins of the National Agricultural Law Center. |
|
Dec. 19, 2025 |
Bradley County’s John Gavin celebrates long, fruitful career as tomato expert WARREN, Ark. — Bradley County Extension Agent John Gavin has long been the go-to expert on tomato production — so much that producers and colleague affectionately refer to him as ‘Tomato John’ and ‘Dr. Tomato’ for his extensive tomato expertise. After 42 years of service to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Gavin will retire at the end of 2025. |
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Dec. 17, 2025 |
Cooperative Extension Service to host first Grow Your Own Groceries LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service’s online Grow Your Own Groceries Series has been so popular that organizers will host the first in-person Grow Your Own Groceries Conference in 2026. |
|
Dec. 16, 2025 |
Extension Homemakers to start 2026 with new lessons LITTLE ROCK — As 2026 approaches, many people will make familiar resolutions — to get healthier, manage their money better, or learn something new — in the new year. Arkansas Extension Homemakers Clubs offers a way to accomplish all three goals and more. |
|
Dec. 15, 2025 |
Voluntary wintertime cover crop adoption up 5 percent in Arkansas FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Using satellite imagery and government data, researchers measured a 5 percent increase in voluntary, or non-subsidized, cover crop adoption by Arkansas farmers. |
| Dec. 15, 2025 |
Peak of waterfowl migration poses risks to poultry, Arkansans urged to report sick, dying birds LITTLE ROCK — The fall migration of waterfowl is at its peak, and with it comes both a greater risk of spreading the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or bird flu, as well as sick and dying birds. |
| Dec. 15, 2025 |
HOLIDAYS: Tips to avoid overspending, overconsumption when gift giving LITTLE ROCK — Cultural pressure to buy perfect, plentiful gifts for friends and family can cause consumers to make irresponsible financial decisions. Brittney Schrick, extension associate professor and family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, recommends shifting the conversation away from “more is more” and prioritizing quality time together during the holidays. |
| Dec. 15, 2025 |
Arkansas Hay Verification Program seeking participants for 2026 LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas ranchers, pasture managers and other producers responsible for growing the hay that fuels livestock are invited to participate in the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Hay Verification Program in 2026. |
| Dec. 12, 2025 |
Shredded cheese products recalled by FDA upgraded to higher risk classification LITTLE ROCK — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a list and is advising consumers to check it twice before whipping up any cheesy dishes this holiday season. Several shredded cheese products from Great Lakes Cheese Co. were recently recalled for potentially containing metal fragments. |
| Dec. 12, 2025 |
With U.S. beef slaughter down, consumer prices likely to remain high LITTLE ROCK — American beef cow slaughter fell during the fall quarter by 19 percent from the same period in 2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data released in the wake of the recent federal shutdown. |
| Dec. 11, 2025 |
HOLIDAYS: Tips to stay mentally, physically healthy during holidays LITTLE ROCK — As temperatures drop and social calendars fill up during the holiday season, it’s important to protect your physical and mental health. To stay safe and healthy during the holidays, extension experts share tips for preventing illness and managing stress. |
| Dec. 9, 2025 |
UAM to offer Ph.D. in forest resources MONTICELLO, Ark. — The University of Arkansas at Monticello will offer a Ph.D. in forest resources in the spring 2026 semester, following recent approval from the Higher Learning Commission. |
| Dec. 9, 2025 |
Farm Bridge Assistance package comes at critical time for farmers LITTLE ROCK — While commodity payment rates won’t be released until the end of December, the $12 billion Farm Bridge Assistance package announced Monday will provide funding at a critical time for farmers, an economist said. |
| Dec. 9, 2025 | Mid-South Berry Conference set for Jan. 22-24
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Strawberry, blackberry, blueberry and grape growers in the Mid-South will have the opportunity to network with and hear updates from fellow growers, researchers and industry leaders at the 2026 Mid-South Berry Conference in Fayetteville Jan. 22-24. |
| Dec. 9, 2025 |
Experimental microneedle painkiller patch for pigs shows proof of concept FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An experimental pain-relieving drug delivery method for farm animals using microneedle patches may not have delivered an effective dose, but it took a pivotal step that offers new leads for innovation. |
| Dec. 8, 2025 |
Tri-State Soybean Forum returns to Arkansas DUMAS, Ark. — Experts from Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi will share information about issues facing soybean producers in the South at the 69th annual Tri-State Soybean Forum on Jan. 9, 2026. |
| Dec. 8, 2025 |
Kordsmeier to take helm of UADA communications FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The new chief communications officer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture comes to the position with a science background — useful for a land-grant organization built on discovery and bringing those discoveries to those who can use them. |
| Dec. 8, 2025 |
UADA winter production meeting calendar available online LITTLE ROCK — At a time when making the most of every cent, minute and acre counts, this year’s winter production meetings will focus on improving a farm’s bottom line and mitigating negative impacts. |
| Dec. 5, 2025 |
4-Hers focus on leadership, service at National 4-H Congress LITTLE ROCK — Thirty Arkansas 4-H members had much to be grateful for over the Thanksgiving break: the opportunity to attend National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, the premier leadership event for senior 4-H members. |
| Dec. 2, 2025 |
Extension staff recognized for innovation, excellence in serving Arkansans LITTLE ROCK — The Cooperative Extension Service this week celebrated the passionate, innovative work of faculty and staff who worked to serve Arkansas families and their communities during a particularly difficult year for the agriculture industry. |
| Dec. 1, 2025 |
UAM hosts Leadership Development Events for southeast Arkansas FFA members MONTICELLO, Ark. — More than 100 FFA members from across southeast Arkansas took part in skill development competitions while getting a peek at future career possibilities during the annual Pine Tree Subarea Leadership Development Events hosted at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. |
| Dec. 1, 2025 |
OPINION: Two visions for Arkansas’ forests: Which will we choose? MONTICELLO, Ark. — Arkansas’ forests are overweight and becoming more obese every year. |
| Dec. 1, 2025 |
Extreme financial pressures on farmers bring fears of losing legacy, identity, purpose LITTLE ROCK — Farmers “are not just worried about losing the farm; they are afraid of losing an identity, a legacy, and a sense of purpose,” said Erica Fields, associate director of the Southern Risk Management Education Center. |
| Dec. 1, 2025 |
Extension offers resources, training to help farmers manage stress LITTLE ROCK — As more Arkansas farmers and their families face increasing economic challenges, the Cooperative Extension Service offers training in farm stress management and mental health first aid to equip producers — and other members of the agriculture community — with tools to navigate what one extension expert calls “a mental health crisis among farmers.” |