Wheat Promotion Board invests $78K in Arkansas wheat research, outreach
July 10, 2026
By John Lovett
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- UA Division of Agriculture projects seek solutions to key industry challenges
- Funding from state commodity boards helps researchers prove concepts
- Arkansas averaged 152,000 acres of wheat in past five years
(610 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board awarded $78,533 in grant funding to five research projects with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture aimed at strengthening wheat production, profitability and market opportunities in the state.
Herbicide-resistant weeds, pest management, relay cropping, education programs to improve yields and using electricity to extract wheat protein were among the projects awarded.
“Funding from state commodity boards, such as the Wheat Promotion Board, allows our researchers to conduct proof of concept and applied verification research that ultimately impacts our producers in a positive way,” said Paul DeLaune, head of the department of crop, soil and environmental sciences for the Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
Often, commodity board awards lead to additional funding opportunities, further discovery and development, increasing the return on investment for the state’s farmers, DeLaune noted.
“The investment made by the Wheat Promotion Board is highly valued and imperative to providing the latest discoveries directly to our producers,” he said.
The awards included:
- $20,000 — “Evaluation of Safeners to Enable New Herbicide Uses in Wheat,” by Bob Scott,
extension weed scientist, and Jason Norsworthy, Distinguished Professor of weed science,
both in the department of crop, soil and environmental sciences.
The project investigates wheat tolerance and weed-control effectiveness of key herbicides, both with and without seed-treatment safeners. Through field and greenhouse trials, researchers will address challenges posed by resistant ryegrass and other problematic weeds.
- $17,679 — “Diversifying Arkansas Wheat: Chemical and Water-Free Electrostatic Fractionation
for High-Functionality Wheat Protein,” by Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant professor of
food science in the department of food science.
The project seeks to develop a dry electrostatic fractionation method that isolates protein-rich flour from Arkansas-grown wheat while keeping the parts of wheat protein that make dough strong and stretchy. The goal is to find new and more valuable uses for Arkansas-grown wheat.
- $16,700 — “Pest Management Using Recommended Wheat Varieties,” by Terry Spurlock,
professor and extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant
pathology.
Researchers will use foliar disease data from statewide variety trials to identify and promote disease-resistant, high-yielding wheat varieties while also evaluating the economic return of fungicide applications.
- $14,500 — “Wheat Research Verification Program,” by Jason Kelley, professor and extension
agronomist for wheat and feed grains in the department of crop, soil and environmental
sciences.
The funding will support on-farm demonstrations and educational outreach to help producers, extension agents and crop consultants learn best practices in agronomy, pest management and wheat production with the goal of achieving high-yielding and profitable wheat crops under Arkansas conditions.
- $9,654 — “Relay Cropping Potential in Arkansas,” by Justin Chlapecka, assistant professor
in the department of crop, soil and environmental sciences.
The project will assess the feasibility of relay-cropping wheat and soybeans. Using a proof-of-concept model, researchers will determine whether this approach can improve the economic appeal of wheat production, particularly in areas where early soybean planting is desired.
“These investments reflect our commitment to delivering real value to Arkansas wheat growers,” said Tim Smith, Wheat Promotion Board chairman. “Every project we fund, whether it advances research, enhances markets, or expands consumer understanding, helps build a stronger, more resilient wheat industry.”
Arkansas wheat acreage
As with any crop, market conditions and weather are major determining factors for value and harvested acres. U.S. Department of Agriculture data show Arkansas’s five-year average for wheat production to be 56 bushels per acre on 156,000 planted acres. The state’s planted wheat acreage has been as high as 230,000 acres and as low as 90,000 acres.
The 2025 Arkansas Agricultural Profile had the state’s previous winter wheat crop valued at $28.9 million, with Arkansas farmers harvesting 4.76 million bushels from 85,000 acres.
To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit aaes.uada.edu. Follow the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on LinkedIn and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact:
John Lovett
U of A Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 763-5929
jlovett@uada.edu