News - August 2026

Researchers zap microbe DNA in the name of food safety

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Researchers are gauging the effectiveness of electron beams in the fight against foodborne illness pathogens in poultry.

Growing Organic in Arkansas Conference set for Sept. 8 in Fayetteville

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Strengthening and expanding organic agriculture will be the focus of the Growing Organic in Arkansas Conference on Sept. 8, co-hosted by the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food and the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

As wildfire risk covers Arkansas, extension experts urge vigilance

LITTLE ROCK — With all but six Arkansas counties under a burn ban as of Thursday and elevated risk of wildfires across the state, experts with the Cooperative Extension Service are urging residents to take precautions to protect their land, property and lives.

‘Find your spark:’ How to join an Arkansas 4-H club

LITTLE ROCK — With more than 650 active clubs in the state, Arkansas 4-H provides youth in every county with hands-on opportunities to develop life skills and serve their communities.

Extension program teaches gardening skills, brings fresh produce to East Central Arkansas Community Correction Center

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — After planting their 0.25-acre garden in early March, participants in the Roots 2 Reentry Program at the East Central Arkansas Community Correction Center recently harvested more than 2,500 pounds of fresh summer produce.

Rice, corn harvest begin in Arkansas

JONESBORO, Ark. — This year’s droughted rice harvest in Arkansas will be something of a chase game, said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Reopening southern ports to cattle likely won’t bolster U.S. herd numbers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Phased reopening of ports to Mexican beef cattle imports won’t do much to expand the herd in the United States, said James Mitchell, extension livestock economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

NASS finds pause in decline of U.S. cattle herd numbers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Mid-year figures from the National Agricultural Statistics Service show a hiatus in an eight-year-long slide in United States cattle numbers, but that news should be taken with some caveats, said James Mitchell, extension livestock economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture

New online tool helps ranchers forecast operation economics

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ranchers now have a new online tool that allows them to make decisions to ensure the financial health of their cattle operations, looking up to 10 years into the future.

Gov. Sanders proclaims August Arkansas Breastfeeding Month

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proclaimed August as Arkansas Breastfeeding Month, recognizing the importance of breastfeeding for long-term health outcomes for mothers and children.

Will El Niño bring winter precipitation?

STUTTGART, Ark. — The rich farmland flanking the Mississippi River is green with row crops, but the soil underneath is thirsty.

Free satellite imagery, spray drones highlight precision agriculture opportunities

HARRISBURG, Ark. — One of the biggest opportunities in precision agriculture may already be available at no cost.

Arkansas horticulture grad accepted to future ag leaders program

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Before a new fruit variety ever reaches the field or a kitchen table, years of research and collaboration shape its future. Isabella Vaughn is taking it a step further by learning how to lead that work.

UADA researcher examines economic prospects of AI data centers in rural areas

LITTLE ROCK — Across the country, the explosive growth of massive data centers, many of them meant to power the growth of artificial intelligence, has drawn both criticism and support from communities in both rural and urban areas.

L.B. 'Bernie' Daniels, retired UADA professor, remembered for teaching, fundraising and more 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — L.B. “Bernie” Daniels, who retired from the University of Arkansas in 2001 as a faculty member in the department of animal science, died in Fayetteville on July 13. He was 85.

Food safety researchers seek answers to prevent the next recall

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Behind every food safety recall are researchers working quickly to understand what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again.

August Crop Production report offers bright outlook for soybeans, cotton

JONESBORO, Ark. — The August Crop Production report revealed sizeable and surprising acreage increases in soybeans, cotton and long-grain rice, as well as the potential for record-breaking soybean yields.

Arkansas 4-H Food Plot Project teaches wildlife, plant science

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas 4-H Food Plot Project, designed to teach youth how to prepare and maintain a food plot for wildlife, offers a variety of hands-on learning opportunities.

Sebastian County father-daughter pair is a presidential legacy in Arkansas 4-H

MANSFIELD, Ark. — For Karly Jones, the newly elected state president of Arkansas 4-H, serving in the role will mean following in her father Kevin’s footsteps.

Rice Research and Extension field day takes frank look at the road ahead

STUTTGART, Ark. — Between high stocks, higher input prices and low market prices, rice farmers in Arkansas and elsewhere are feeling the squeeze, as evidenced by the lowest planted acreage in about 50 years. At the 2026 Rice Research and Extension Center field day on Aug. 6, researchers with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture did their best to shed light on the road ahead.

Arkansas youth get creative in the kitchen at state 4-H Food Challenge

LITTLE ROCK — More than 80 youth from across the state gathered on Aug. 4 to compete in the 2026 Arkansas 4-H Food Challenge, a contest that tests participants on their cooking, teamwork and public speaking skills.

Major changes to federal foreign ownership reporting loom

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A federal report shows Arkansas had the nation’s second-highest number of farm acres divested from foreign ownership amid a trend in which the number of states allowing to foreign ownership of farmland was halved.

Arkansas researchers look at ‘genetic neighborhoods’ to find pathogenic bacteria

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When it comes to identifying harmful bacteria, it helps to look at the company their genes keep.

Arkansas soybean planting date, breeding studies seek to optimize production

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Soybean planting decisions in Arkansas can hinge on everything from soggy spring weather to shifts in the global rice market.

Extension financial expert shares keys to planning for a new baby

LITTLE ROCK — For first-time parents anticipating the arrival of their new baby, an extension financial expert says it is crucial to be proactive about the financial changes that come with starting a family.

Bullseye on determination, safety at Arkansas 4-H Shooting Sports Championship

FERNDALE, Ark. — Not everything is supposed to come easily. For Tessa Herring, 13, the junior shotgun competition at the Arkansas 4-H Shooting Sports Championship in mid-July was downright frustrating.

Extension experts share science behind electrolyte, alkaline water: what are the health benefits?

LITTLE ROCK — Consumers may have noticed more electrolyte water or alkaline water drinks being sold in stores or advertised online, but what benefits do these products actually provide?

Arkansas APEX Accelerator, Startup Junkie to host entrepreneur panel in Bentonville

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas APEX Accelerator and Startup Junkie are teaming up to host a panel focusing on entrepreneurship on Aug. 13 at the Shewmaker Center for Global Business Development on the Northwest Arkansas Community College campus.

Arkansas 4-H Foundation awards $153,000 in scholarships, sponsorships to 4-H members

LITTLE ROCK — More than 40 Arkansas 4-H members start college later this month with scholarships earned through their years of project accomplishments, leadership development  and community service through 4-H.

Science-based solutions for resilient farming highlighted at Rice and Soybean Field Day

HARRISBURG, Ark. — As tight margins continue to challenge Arkansas farmers, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture researchers are focused on providing recommendations that improve profitability and long-term resilience.

Ongoing fungicide study supports scouting, deliberate use of fungicide in soybeans

LITTLE ROCK — A bedrock principle of efficient farming is scouting your fields before applying pesticides — whether herbicides, insecticides or fungicides. This not only helps farmers save money but reduces the likelihood of pesticide resistance developing as well.

Drone + software adds up to significant irrigation savings

WEINER, Ark. — With a drone, three pieces of software and about 60 minutes, Mike Hamilton and Walker Harris could be saving one farmer 28 hours of running a power unit and millions of gallons of irrigation water this season.

NALC webinar will discuss how to navigate federal child labor laws

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Agricultural employers navigating federal child labor laws can gain practical legal guidance during the National Agricultural Law Center’s free August webinar.