News - April 2026

Arkansas farmers could see more than $150M in disaster relief

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas farmers being squeezed hard by higher fuel and input prices this year could see more than $150 million in total disaster relief with a second round of Supplemental Disaster Relief Program payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

LITTLE ROCK — Consumers who see parallels between crude oil and gas prices might expect the same for food, but what seems like a straightforward relationship between prices at the farm and prices at the grocery store is anything but simple, say economists with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. 

Farmers should ‘buckle up’ as petroleum-related costs may add to interest expenses

LITTLE ROCK — While interest rates have declined from post-pandemic highs, higher input costs related to oil prices may add to farmers’ interest expense burden, said Ryan Loy, extension economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Longtime 4-H volunteer, extension retiree Judy Riley accepted into National 4-H Hall of Fame

LITTLE ROCK — Though she admits that few occasions render her at a loss for words, Judy Riley said she was “completely speechless” when she learned of her acceptance in the 2026 National 4-H Hall of Fame.

UADA bringing on-farm knowledge to cheesemaking workshops

LITTLE ROCK — Farmers and city-dwellers alike with an interest in cheesemaking are invited to a series of Cooperative Extension Service workshops focused on process, marketing and more.

As row rice acres rise in Arkansas, billbug pest takes center stage

LITTLE ROCK — Rice billbug has been a pest in U.S. rice production for as long as farmers have been growing it. But in 2026, it’s almost certainly going to be the No. 1 pest Arkansas rice farmers will need to control.

Rice processing research points to evolving milling rates as quality factor

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Research by the Arkansas Rice Processing Program is showing valuable insights for rice farmers that affect their take-home pay and the quality of rice for food makers.

Young Makers Market to showcase youth entrepreneurs at Arkansas 4-H Center

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas youth from throughout the state — including woodworkers, photographers, jewelry makers and more — will have a chance to sell their products to the public at the upcoming Young Makers Market, held at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center on May 9.

Arkansas drought lingers as nature fast-forwards beyond usual rainy spring

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas’ weather seems to have hit fast forward in 2026, largely skipping over the stormy, rainy portion of spring, as farmers open the irrigation taps early to get their row crops growing. 

Arkansas 4-H members test technical, artistic skills in annual photography contest 

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas 4-H members from 53 counties practiced their creativity and submitted entries to the 2026 Ross Photography Contest, with Catelyn Stearman from Washington County bringing home Best in Show.

Could glass be dethroned as wine’s top packaging? Researchers unbox consumer perceptions of wine packaging

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With nearly 400 years under its cork, glass is still the top choice for consumers when it comes to packaging preferences for wine, but sustainability concerns may open the way to other container types, a study by food science and economics researchers has found.

National Science Foundation CAREER Award supports soft-food robotics research

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Autonomous robots may be able to drive through rush hour traffic in Los Angeles, which can test the sanity of even the most skilled human drivers, but robots have yet to master the science of grasping soft foods like meat products or fruits with the speed, delicacy and precision of human hands.

Compost celebrated with week of webinars, in-person events May 4-8 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An ancient horticultural practice that’s finding new adherents and applications, such as the rooftop garden at the University of Arkansas Student Union, is being celebrated May 4-8 during Compost Awareness Week. 

Breeding spinach to better withstand Pythium

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Breeding efforts at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture to improve spinach tolerance to a pathogen called Pythium will help both indoor and outdoor growers of the popular leafy green.

Pecan grower meeting, farm tour to focus on marketing specialty crop

SEARCY, Ark. — Facing low prices, pecan growers are looking for ways to add value to their harvest and market their crop more effectively.

Extension hosts inaugural Family and Consumer Sciences Day at the Capitol

LITTLE ROCK — The second-floor rotunda at the Arkansas State Capitol buzzed with conversation as Cooperative Extension Service staff connected with legislators, agency leaders and community organizations during the inaugural Family and Consumer Sciences Day at the Capitol on April 16.

New project ‘floats’ idea of solar panels on irrigation reservoirs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Electricity and water don’t usually mix, but technological advancements in floating solar arrays open the potential to generate electricity while decreasing impacts on farm irrigation reservoirs and agricultural land.

May 12 Cooperative Extension Service event to showcase agriculture's role across education

HARRISBURG, Ark. — Educators, administrators and parents are invited to the Agriculture Across All Curriculum Showcase, an event designed to illustrate how agriculture plays a part in every walk of life and applies to a wide variety of intellectual disciplines.

Mid-South ag law conference highlights SCOTUS updates, trends

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions in agriculture impact every region of the country, and an upcoming session at a premier agricultural law conference will highlight the latest developments in the Mid-South.

Spotted a honey bee swarm? Stay calm and call a beekeeper

LITTLE ROCK — As spring blooms in Arkansas, honey bee populations are swarming, but there’s nothing to be afraid of — most swarms are harmless, and the colony will soon fly away to establish its new home.

Cooperative Extension Service celebrates Arbor Day with statewide events, free tree giveaway

LITTLE ROCK — Cooperative Extension Service offices in four counties will celebrate the importance of trees through several Arbor Day events in April and May, including a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Free Tree Fridays campaign.

UADA specialist receives $1.6 million grant funding to plant more than 166,000 trees in central Arkansas

LITTLE ROCK — John Pennington, extension water quality educator for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, has secured $1.6 million in grant funding to plant more than 166,000 native trees throughout six counties in central Arkansas over the next three and a half years.

Deere settles right-to-repair suit, but Federal Trade Commission case still looms 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Farm equipment maker John Deere has agreed to a $99 million proposed settlement of right-to-repair claims, but that’s not the last word — or litigation — in a wider situation that raised questions about data transparency and allegations of unfair business practices. 

UAM hosts region’s largest collegiate timbersports event 

MONTICELLO, Ark. — Flying axes and adrenaline-fueled saw work took center stage as the University of Arkansas at Monticello Forestry Club hosted the 67^th Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave.

Freeze, drought effects on pastures have some ranchers reaching into hay reserves 

SEARCY, Ark. — Some Arkansas ranchers are reaching into their reserve hay as drought intensifies across the state.  

Erf turned childhood curiosity into poultry immunology career 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gisela Erf’s lauded career in poultry immunology began with a simple question from her master’s degree adviser: “Would you mind working with chickens?” 

Thirsty Arkansas strawberry crop gets off to early start 

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas’ strawberry crop is not only looking good, but is also running a little early this year, said Amanda McWhirt, extension fruit and vegetable specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. 

March freeze event likely eliminated 2026 Arkansas peach crop

CLARKSVILLE, Ark. — The 2026 Arkansas peach crop was likely eliminated during a mid-March weather event that saw freezing temperatures in the low 20s across the state.

Crittenden County Extension, county judge collaborate on National Walking Day event

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — Crittenden County Judge Woody Wheeless said that when it comes to getting active, he is an example of the benefits of participating in Walk Across Arkansas, a program of the Cooperative Extension Service.

After nearly 30 years of weekly columns, Gerald Klingaman is putting away the pen

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — On the approach of his 80^th birthday, noted horticulturist and writer Gerald Klingaman has decided to end his "Musings on Nature" column. The column, begun in 2021, followed his long-running "Plant of the Week" column, which ran from 1997-2021.

Arkansas Poultry Chain distributes nearly 33,000 chicks to youth in Arkansas, Oklahoma

LONOKE, Ark. — In the early morning hours on April 8, Cooperative Extension Service staff and volunteers began the work of unloading a truckload of nearly 33,000 Hy-Line Brown chickens to be distributed to more than 1,900 youth as part of the Arkansas Poultry Chain program.

Arkansas SeaPerch program to send six teams to international competition

BENTON, Ark. — Six Arkansas 4-H teams earned top marks at the 2026 Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge and will advance to the international robotics and engineering competition in May.

Annual Rice Industry Alliance Meeting set for May 19 in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The latest advancements in rice research, economics and technology are the focus of the 2026 Arkansas Rice Processing Program Industry Alliance Meeting, May 19, at the Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences.

Genetic markers fast-track breeding of seedless muscadine grapes

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Using new genetic markers, fruit breeders can now tell whether grapes will be seedless and self-pollinating even years before vines bear fruit.

Predicting poultry pathogens focus of ARA Project Scope webinar on April 22

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When it comes to identifying bacterial contamination in poultry, speed and accuracy become critical in protecting people and the state’s most valuable agricultural commodity.

NALC, NASDA Foundation to host Agricultural & Food Law Policy Briefing in Washington, D.C.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center, in partnership with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the NASDA Foundation, will host the Agricultural & Food Law Policy Briefing on May 6 in Washington, D.C.

UADA researchers track Asian longhorned tick, first confirmed in Arkansas in 2018, as it spreads to 10 counties

LITTLE ROCK — For outdoor enthusiasts, the magic of spring is often tempered by the resurgence of chiggers, ticks and other nuisance insects. For researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the very pursuit of those creatures never really ends.

Lawsuit targets SNAP waivers 

 FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is being sued over waivers that exclude purchases of candy, soda and other items from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. 

9th Circuit Court tells USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service to rework bioengineered food standard 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Nearly a decade after Congress passed the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law, the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been ordered to rework parts of the standard it created under that law.  

Can unpaved roads and watersheds co-exist? Researchers wade into the question

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Imagine a dump truck dropping 13 tons of dirt into the waters of Brush Creek, a waterway that feeds northwest Arkansas’ primary drinking water source, Beaver Lake. 

Arkansas farmers to drop acreage in four major crops in favor of soybeans for 2026 

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas farmers plan to reduce planted acreage for four of the state’s five major crops, including corn, cotton, peanuts and rice, in favor of soybeans during the 2026 planting season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Arkansas Plant Health Clinic: Severe flooding in 2025 shaped plant disease trends

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In 2025, the Arkansas Plant Health Clinic diagnosed more than 1,500 plant samples from 62 of the state’s 75 counties, including an increased number of plants diagnosed with bacterial diseases after the state saw severe flooding last April.

Arkansas 4-H team to test knowledge of consumer rights, personal finance at National LifeSmarts Championship in April

LITTLE ROCK — For Arkansas 4-H member Brooklyn Luedecke, the LifeSmarts program teaches “the things that school doesn’t really teach you, giving you everything you need to know going into the adult world,” she said.

Oregano, rosemary and ‘time’: Long-term swine study shows natural-compound benefits

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In the search to replace antibiotic growth promoters with effective alternatives in modern swine production, plant-based essential oils are showing potential to provide lasting benefits.

National Agricultural Law Center hosts webinar on international ag trade developments

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The National Agricultural Law Center will host an upcoming webinar, “International Ag Trade Update: Tariffs, IEEPA, Refunds, & Related Issues,” on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from noon-1 p.m. EDT or 11 a.m.-noon CDT.