News - November 2025

Improving Indian agriculture focus of new UADA partnership

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture recently entered a five-year agreement with the Indian National Horticulture Board and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to help farmers in India improve agricultural production by limiting spread of pathogens.

New extension beef cattle specialist focused on nutrition

LITTLE ROCK — Ally Grote knew from a young age how important nutrition is for a competition animal.

“I was a barrel racer, so making sure my horses were fed was a top priority,” said Grote, the new extension beef cattle specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Long-term cattle performance focus of research review, call for collaboration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Despite the United States’ long and storied past with cattle ranching, long-term research on health, nutrition and management is rarely wrangled, hamstrung by budget constraints and the segmented nature of the industry.

Governor pardons turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving holiday

LITTLE ROCK — Conway County 4-H members Caroline, 11, and Adeline Dixon, 8, took their prize-winning turkeys to the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion on Thursday, where Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders pardoned them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Partnership boosts water quality research in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ridding the environment of potentially harmful chemicals called PFAS and detoxifying harmful algal blooms are goals of a continued research partnership between the Arkansas Water Resources Center and the University of Arkansas College of Engineering.

Texas equine herpes outbreaks puts Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma horse communities on alert

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma agriculture departments are putting horse owners in their states on alert following an outbreak of an easily spread, but preventable virus that can be fatal to equines.

Williams remembered as ‘old school,’ highly knowledgeable in cotton

LITTLE ROCK — In the days before questions were answered with “Google it,” east Arkansas farmers depended on Jerry Williams for answers.

Rice research takes important step in solving the high nighttime temp problem

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station have identified genetic mechanisms in rice that can help counteract the negative effects of higher nighttime temperatures.

USDA releases first crop production report since September; Arkansas sees sizable shifts in corn, rice

LITTLE ROCK — After more than a month of statistical silence from the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to the federal shutdown, the agency released its monthly Crop Production report, showing expected declines in rice and soybean yield.

UAM Forestry Club claims top spot in technical events category, second overall at Texas timbersports competition

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Showcasing skill and teamwork, the University of Arkansas at Monticello Forestry Club had a successful day at the 2025 Lake Striker Axe Days, bringing home a first-place finish in the technical events category and securing a second-place overall finish at the competition. 

Land-grant recognition founded by John W. White lives on 49 years later

FERNDALE, Ark. — Forty-nine years ago, Glenn Nelson, a researcher and retired professor of agricultural engineering, became the first of a long line of honorees for an award named for John W. White to honor excellence in land-grant work.

Arkansas net farm income projected to decline by 8 percent in 2025 

UNDATED — Arkansas net farm income is projected to decline 8 percent to $2.91 billion in 2025, however, there are some signs that 2026 might see higher soybean and corn prices and the promise of ad hoc assistance, economists said. 

HOLIDAYS: Turkey prices trending higher as holidays approach 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Wholesale turkey prices were trending higher as the holidays approach, said James Mitchell, extension livestock economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

Arkansas research identifies temperature ranges for eight cover crops

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Knowing what temperatures that a plant can withstand is a hallmark of botanical science, but those temperatures had not been well documented for many cover crops.

HOLIDAYS: Handle, store food safely this holiday season to avoid foodborne illness

LITTLE ROCK — Festive food plays an important, joyful role during holiday gatherings. But the increased volume of food prepared during this season — along with bigger crowds gathered to enjoy it — can lead to a heightened risk of foodborne illness. Extension experts stress the importance of handling, cooking and storing food safely to avoid health risks.

Hempstead County resident wins 140 ribbons at 2025 Southwest Arkansas District Fair

HOPE, Ark. — In 1999, LaJuan Thompson submitted her first entries of canned and baked goods, sewing projects and horticulture items to the Hempstead County Fair. Since then, Thompson has won — by her count — “hundreds and hundreds” of blue ribbons at the local and district level, including 95 first-place awards at the 2025 Hempstead County Fair.

Volunteers collect nearly 400 pounds of trash from Coleman Creek

LITTLE ROCK — More than a dozen volunteers armed with gloves, bags and grabbers marched into Coleman Creek and collected nearly 400 pounds of trash from the waterway.

Experts warn Arkansans to be ‘Bear Aware’ as populations rise across the state

MONTICELLO, Ark. — With Arkansas’ black bear population continuing to grow and sightings becoming more common, wildlife experts are urging Arkansans to stay informed about bear behavior and safety practices in the outdoors.

Soybean Science Challenge now offering condensed online course

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Soybean Science Challenge, a long-running educational program administered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, now offers a condensed online course for Arkansas students.

Donnie Smith, former Tyson Foods CEO, credits servant-leader model for his success

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Chief executive officers shouldn’t think of themselves as the top of a pyramid, but rather the trunk of a tree, said Donnie Smith, former CEO of Tyson Foods.

Strawberry, blackberry, muscadine researchers awarded Specialty Crop Block Grants

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — That first bite into an Arkansas-grown strawberry, blackberry or muscadine grape has a lot of research behind it by scientists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

HOLIDAYS: Tips for holiday shopping on a budget

LITTLE ROCK — As the holiday season approaches, the cost of gift giving can add stress to already-stretched household budgets. To help Arkansas families avoid overspending, an expert with the Cooperative Extension Service offers tips and tricks for shopping wisely.

National Agricultural Law Center announces inaugural Scott E. Fancher Agricultural Law Fellowship

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center has partnered with two other national organizations to launch a first-of-its-kind fellowship focused on developing the next generation of attorneys to work in the agriculture industry.

A new study offers insights on the power of imagery in conservation initiatives

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — From Ansel Adams’ national parks landscapes to Apollo astronaut William Anders’ iconic photo “Earthrise,” photography has been a powerful influence on conservation efforts in the United States.