For the Media

September 29, 2009

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - The return of sunshine has farmers harvesting as fast as they can, trying to beat the rain that's expected on Thursday.

JONESBORO, Ark. - Arkansas' wheat acreage may fall to near 2006 levels because of problems associated with this year's higher than normal rainfall and low commodity prices, according to an agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

September 25, 2009

LITTLE ROCK - October 4 is the official start of the 2009-2010 flu season, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control, but flu viruses seem to be getting a head start.

4-H month features youth science day, giant pumpkins, robot competition

LITTLE ROCK - October is 4-H month in Arkansas and will be marked by participation in a national experiment in biofuels, giant pumpkins, a robot-building competition and a gubernatorial proclamation.

Burger's bad rap may be undeserved

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Hamburger's bad nutritional rap may be undeserved, said Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Empty nest shouldn't mean empty menu

MALVERN, Ark. - Just because the nest has emptied, doesn't mean your home dinner menu should be empty too, said Cheryl Maxwell, Hot Spring county extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Muscadine Grapes - An Untapped Potential for Small Scale Farmers and Gardeners

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - To guarantee the muscadine variety of your choice, now is not too early to contact nurseries and locate plants for spring planting, says Dr. Obadiah Njue, horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Cooperative Extension Program.
 

LITTLE ROCK - An internationally renowned researcher will discuss modeling the logistics of moving bioenergy crops from field to refinery at the 46th annual meeting of the Arkansas Section of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, set for October 2 at Little Rock.

October 28 workshop to demonstrate latest hardwood management techniques

LITTLE ROCK - The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is offering a workshop October 28 for landowners who want to learn the latest techniques in establishing, managing, regenerating and marketing their hardwoods.

November 17 workshop for entrepreneurs considering cut flower business

LITTLE ROCK - Entrepreneurs considering cut flowers as a full or part-time business should consider attending the "Rolling the Dice with Cut Flowers" workshop November 17-18 held at the Hilton, Memphis, Tennessee.

Who fed your cows today?

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - It had the makings of a pleasant fall day when Sonny strolled into the office, humming a tune to match his opinion of the day.

Weed scientist seeks input from cotton growers until harvest can begin

MONTICELLO, Ark. - A University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture weed scientist is asking cotton farmers to do a little research until fields are dry enough to harvest.

September 24, 2009

Gloomy forecast follows rain for Arkansas crop producers

JONESBORO, Ark. - Some Arkansas farmers will reap a harvest of red ink this season and it will be months before the losses can be quantified, say agricultural economists and agronomists for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Cotton progress: Some early-planted fields may see 30 percent yield losses

LITTLE ROCK - Estimated yield losses for cotton are growing each day rain continues to fall, Tom Barber, extension cotton agronomist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said Thursday.

September 22, 2009

LONOKE, Ark. - Three more counties: Crawford, Independence and Pope, have confirmed cases of soybean rust, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said Tuesday.

Pumpkin shortage provides scary Halloween scenario

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Wet weather across the Southeast and eastern Midwest and is creating a scary scenario of its own: a Halloween pumpkin shortage, Craig Andersen, extension horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said Tuesday.

LITTLE ROCK - It's 2008 all over again as the weeks of rainfall that prevented harvest are prompting corn and sorghum kernels to sprout on the stalk, said Jason Kelley, extension agronomist for wheat and feed grains for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said Tuesday.

September 18, 2009

Don't believe everything you see: Be careful about health info online

LITTLE ROCK - In 2006, about 80 percent of American Internet users - roughly 113 million adults - have searched the Internet for one of at least 17 health topics, according to the Pew Research Center.

Disinfecting when antibacterial soap doesn’t go far enough

MALVERN, Ark. - Antibacterial soap may not be enough to prevent the spread of germs during flu season, according to Cheryl Maxwell, Hot Spring County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Games of Chance: Know Your Limits

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Most people engage in legalized gambling for fun and entertainment without developing a gambling problem, says Rita Conley, Cooperative Extension Program family resource management specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. But, for those who have experienced a gambling problem among family members, friends or coworkers, one person with a gambling disorder is one too many.

Which Gladiolus Variety for Cut Flower Production in Southeast Arkansas

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Because growing gladiolus for cut flower production could be a profitable alternative enterprise for growers in southeast Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff researchers Dr. Shahidul Islam, professor of agriculture; Dr. Joseph Onyilagha, research associate; and Laure Anderson, research assistant, evaluated available species for survival and performance.

Arkansas forage producers memorialize Ivan Duncan

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The late Ivan Duncan of Decatur used an old single row corn planter fitted with the bottom half of a 55-gallon barrel to hold sprigs to establish his first bermudagrass planting "too many years ago to remember."

September 29 demonstrations to showcase water conservation efforts

LITTLE ROCK - Efforts to combat threats to water quality in eastern Arkansas will be showcased September 29 during a day of demonstrations in England, Stuttgart, Lonoke and Searcy.

September 16, 2009

LONOKE, Ark. - Soybean rust was confirmed in Yell County on Monday, bringing to 22 the number of counties where the fungus has been found, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

September 15, 2009

September 11, 2009

Arkansas wheat growers face decision-making time

JONESBORO, Ark. - Harvest time for soybeans, rice and cotton is decision-making time for Arkansans planning the winter wheat crop of 2010, according to Scott Stiles, extension agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Crop Insurance Deadline Looms for Wheat and Oat Farmers

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - September 30 is the deadline for producers of fall seeded crops to sign up for crop insurance. It is also the deadline for making any changes to existing policies or canceling existing policies, but this must be done in writing, says Dr. Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

From 'ewww' to 'oooooh': Ugly duckling orangedog caterpillars

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Disguised as bird droppings, the orangedog caterpillar is the classic case of the ugly duckling that eventually turns into a swan.

The complex business of milk prices

FAYETTEVLLE, Ark. - When it comes to gasoline, the public has a good grasp on price trends, thanks to the widely reported price of a barrel of crude. However, tracking milk prices is not so easy, even if prices paid to producers for raw milk is at a 40-year low, said Dr. Wayne Kellogg, professor and educator for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
 

Small changes can produce big differences in heart disease risk

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Oatmeal cookies, a few spinach leaves in the lunch bucket sandwich and adding a piece of fruit to meals are small steps that could lead to bigger changes in the risk for heart disease, according to Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Communication key to healthy family relations

MURFREESBORO, Ark. - Communication is more than just talking and listening - it's the ability to pay attention to thoughts and feelings, said Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Aunt Sally's answer to pantry pests

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - The large wooden flour bin in Aunt Sally's kitchen could hold 100 pounds, or two small boys brave enough to hide there on occasion of it being empty. Large sacks were a common unit of purchase at the time and the bin size was made to match.

September 4, 2009

Timing is critical in treating fall armyworms

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Ravenous fall armyworms are leaving browned strips in their wake as they eat through pastures statewide, personnel for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture say.

Fescue stockpiling pays dividends in less winter hay

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. - Even before summer ends, cattlemen should be thinking about winter grazing, said Mark Keaton, Baxter County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Voluntary Simplicity or Doing More with Less

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - When asked "What do you do for enjoyment?" a growing number of Americans have a hard time answering. Unfortunately, many would respond that they have no time for simple pleasures, says Rita Conley, Cooperative Extension Program family resource management specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Youth ages nine through 12 in northwest Arkansas have a great opportunity to experience all the fun Little Rock has to offer. Operation: Military Kids (OMK) is offering Metro Camp to youth interested in a weekend of nature, culture, history, arts and fun. Metro Camp is September 25, 26 and 27.

October 9 registration deadline for steer feedout program

LITTLE ROCK - The deadline to enroll beef calves in the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Arkansas Steer Feedout Program for 2009-2010 is October 9.

UAPB hosts Aquatic Sciences Day September 24 for high school students

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - The Aquaculture/Fisheries Center of Excellence at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will offer a fun learning opportunity for high school students this fall. Aquatic Sciences Day will be held 9:30 a.m. to noon on September 24 at the university’s Aquaculture Research Station.

Harvesting begins slowly for OK soybean crop

UNDATED - Patience may be this year's most important virtue for Arkansas soybean growers.

Uncle Ray gets grounded by wasps

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - "I got wasper problems!" So began the latest call from Uncle Ray. In support of the Queen's English, I advised, "Uncle Ray, they're wasps, not waspers!" His redneck rebuttal served notice, "You say tamater, and I'll say tamater."

September 2, 2009

Soy rust now in 8 counties; fungicide application recommendation changes

STUTTGART, Ark. - Eight counties are reporting low levels of soybean rust and with a fungus-promoting forecast of cool, wet weather, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture on Wednesday issued a conditional spray advisory for some areas.