Arkansas News

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As drought lingers, trees require smarter approaches for watering

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By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture


LITTLE ROCK — With Arkansas’ prolonged drought taking a toll on trees across the state, now is the time for homeowners to lend some extra attention to their trees that may be in distress.

DISTRESSED -- A young tree shows signs of drought distress. (Division of Agriculture photo/Krista Quinn)

“People have been calling about their trees losing leaves or starting to get their fall colors way too early, or the bark cracking,” said Krista Quinn, a certified arborist and an agricultural agent with the Cooperative Extension Service’s Faulkner County office, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “These are all signs of drought distress.”

The prolonged lack of rain and high temperatures across Arkansas has depleted moisture from soil in many areas.

“The two best things we can do to minimize drought damage to trees is to water them and lightly mulch them,” Quinn said. “Watering and mulching trees now may not be enough to get them to produce new leaves or start growing again this season, but it can minimize damage and make them better able to withstand other environmental and pest pressures during the coming year.”

Older trees require hundreds of gallons of water over a week, but their root systems can tap into deeper water sources that younger trees cannot access. Younger trees, especially those in harsh urban conditions, need extra care.

“Turf grasses can usually recover,” Quinn said. “They will go dormant and turn brown. Some trees will also go dormant as a strategy for dealing with drought, so just because it’s defoliating doesn’t mean it’s dying, but it is stressed.”

Homeowners may face time or financial constraints when it comes to caring for their landscaping. Some municipalities may also request that homeowners reduce water use for irrigation like sprinklers and landscape watering to maintain the community water supply.

“For anyone who is trying to maintain their landscape through drought and heat and feel like they have to make decisions — I honestly think trees are the priority,” Quinn said. “They’re expensive to plant, and large trees are irreplaceable. The hot temperatures make us appreciate the shade from a tree even more.”

Tree Watering Tips

  • Water under the entire tree canopy and not just at the trunk.

  • For newly planted trees, water the area just outside the root zone to encourage roots to grow out away from the trunk into the native soil.

  • Irrigate infrequently, but deeply. Watering once a week is usually sufficient as long as the top 4 to 6 inches of soil is wetted. Dig a small hole after watering to make sure the water has percolated through the soil.

  • Watering trees in clay soils, compacted soils, or on slopes can be difficult since the water often starts to runoff before the top 4 to 6 inches of soil is wetted. Use a soaker or drip irrigation system to apply a low volume of water over a longer amount of time. Another option is to cycle the water flow on and off every 20 to 30 minutes. Water for 20 minutes, then let the water soak into the slope for 20 minutes, then water again for 20 minutes until the needed amount of water has soaked into the soil.

  • Water in the evening or early morning to minimize evaporation.

  • Use sprinklers, soaker hoses, watering bags, and buckets to water trees.

  • Newly planted trees have a better chance of surviving if they are watered during dry spells for the first two years after planting.

Tree Mulching Tips

  • Apply a 2- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch over tree roots.

  • Keep mulch material away from the tree trunk. The goal is to keep the tree roots moist and the trunk dry.

  • Mulch as much of the area under the tree as possible, preferably to the outermost edge of the tree's canopy.

  • Many different organic products can be used as mulch. Bark, shredded wood, grass clippings, straw, pine needles, and dried leaves are all good options.

  • Mulch does not need to be reapplied every year.

  • Having a mulch layer more than about 4 inches deep can harm trees.

 

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website:  https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Fast Facts

  • Young trees more susceptible to drought

  • Signs of distress: wilting, losing leaves, leaf discoloration

  • Watering, mulching can help trees in distress

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Mauricio Garcia, M.D., Returns to UAMS to Lead Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

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By Chris Carmody

LITTLE ROCK — Mauricio Garcia Saenz de Sicilia, M.D., has rejoined the UAMS Department of Internal Medicine as an associate professor and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. He served most recently on the Washington University School of Medicine faculty in St. Louis.

“We are pleased to recruit Dr. Garcia back to UAMS to transform the delivery of gastroenterology service in Little Rock and the state of Arkansas,” said Edward T.H. Yeh, M.D., chair of the Department of Internal Medicine. “He will also play a pivotal role in strengthening the liver transplantation service at UAMS.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division at UAMS and contribute to improving the state of health for Arkansans,” Garcia said. “Coming back to UAMS represents a chance to build the foundation for the future of academic gastroenterology and hepatology in Arkansas by improving access to high-quality care and being the main point of referral for the community.”

https://news.uams.edu/2022/07/25/mauricio-garcia-m-d-returns-to-uams-to-lead-division-of-gastroenterology-and-hepatology/

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AUDIO: New Blood Test Detects More Than 50 Types of Cancer

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By Matthew Moore KUAF

A new blood test has received FDA breakthrough status approval that can detect more than 50 different kinds of cancer in a patient. Mercy Hospitals in Rogers and Fort Smith are among the earliest health systems to offer the test.

https://www.kuaf.com/show/ozarks-at-large/2022-07-25/new-blood-test-detects-more-than-50-types-of-cancer

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Governor: proposed teacher bonuses a ‘curveball’ to districts

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KUAR | By Daniel Breen

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is criticizing state lawmakers for abruptly changing spending rules concerning federal dollars already appropriated to public schools.

Members of the Arkansas Legislative Council last week voted to rescind $500 million in spending authority from the Department of Education. That money, from the American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund, or ESSER, had already been appropriated to the Education Department for schools to use mainly for improvements, hiring and retention.

Lawmakers instead proposed requiring schools to use the funding to provide bonuses of $5,000 to teachers and $2,500 to staff, and for districts to submit detailed spending plans to the committee for approval.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-25/governor-proposed-teacher-bonuses-a-curveball-to-districts

Daniel Breen/KUAR News

Gov. Asa Hutchinson greets a member of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators at the group's annual summer meeting at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock Monday.

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Arkansas lawmakers approve new health insurance rates for public employees

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KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Arkansas lawmakers have approved new health insurance premium rates for state employees and public school employees. The Employee Benefits Division Oversight Subcommittee on Wednesday took action allowing lower rates to take effect, following last week’s approval by the State Board of Finance.

In the next calendar year, state employees will be expected to pay $172 a month, while public school employees will pay $221 a month, according to a spreadsheet provided by the Employee Benefits Division (EBD). There are different rates for employees who include their spouses or children on their plan.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-20/arkansas-lawmakers-approve-new-health-insurance-rates-for-public-employees

Ronak Patel/KUAR News

Winston Simpson, a former public school employee, shared his concerns about the state's plan to improve health insurance coverage for state employees during a meeting on Wednesday.

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Mercy Health Systems providing new blood test to detect cancer

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KUAR | By Alexandria Brown

A new blood test being offered at Mercy Health Systems in Arkansas can be used to detect early signs of cancer. The Galleri test can indicate early signs of more than 50 types of cancers, including aggressive types like pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal, which oftentimes have no warning signs

The Galleri, which is a multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, was created by a California-based health care company called GRAIL. Dr. John Mohart, president of Mercy communities, said the test uses advanced sequencing to look for tumor DNA in the bloodstream.

“In general, we only screen for about four to five cancers in the U.S.—the most common ones,” Mohart said in an interview with KUAR News. “But the deep-seated cancers like pancreatic, ovarian, and esophageal, we don’t have any screening. And so, about 71% of cancer deaths are actually from cancers that we don't screen at all for. So with this test, it’s not a replacement for the normal screening that you would get with your physicians, but this is a supplement of deeper cancers that we don’t screen for at all.”

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-19/mercy-health-systems-providing-new-blood-test-to-detect-cancer

Mercy/Mercy Health Systems

Mercy Health Systems is offering a test that identifies early signs of cancer.

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Saline County 4-H club designs 3D-printed bird eggs for county fair exhibit

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BIRDING — Members of the Saline County 4-H club, the Salem Superstars, use their binoculars to spot birds at the Little Rock Audubon Center. (Division of Agriculture photo by Lori Canada.)

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

Lori Canada, extension 4-H STEM program coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the parent of a Salem Superstars club member, said the project is an important intersection of wildlife and technology programming. STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

“As a STEM specialist, I see this as a great way to show kids that technology is in everything and anything,” Canada said. “It’s a good combination of learning about birds – the eggs they lay and the differences between those eggs – but also utilizing that knowledge through creating these 3D replicas.”

The Salem Superstars began the project by learning about bird species present in Arkansas, using binoculars to watch them in their habitats and studying images of their eggs. This included a field trip to the Arkansas Audubon Center in Little Rock. Canada then taught the students about 3D printing technology, demonstrating the printing method and showing students how to design their own eggs using a computer program.

Becky McPeake, the club’s leader and extension wildlife specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the 4-H members have responded enthusiastically to the curriculum.

“They’ve been really excited about this project,” McPeake said. “We gave them a list of birds, and we asked them to select which birds they would like to study and learn about their eggs. As you might imagine, some of them really like the larger, predatory birds, and some of them were really enthused about birds they knew very little about and wanted to learn more.”

Kahlan Higgins, 12, current president of the Salem Superstars, said the project has made her more interested in learning about birds and other wildlife.

“My favorite part about learning about different bird species and their eggs is getting to learn what different eggs look like and how they are different from each other,” Higgins said. “Using the 3D printers has also been really fun. I have really enjoyed getting to see them printing different objects.”

After choosing their bird egg, the students designed them using the 3D modeling program Tinkercad. Canada described 3D printing as a “computerized hot glue gun.” The printers use a thermoplastic that melts when heated and is then extruded through a nozzle, layer by layer, to create a three-dimensional object. Canada helped the group members, who range in age from 5 to 12 years old, in designing their eggs.

She then downloaded their designs to another computer program, Cura, which breaks the designs down into individual layers and configures each design’s settings for the printer, including the heat temperature and the design of the infill of the egg. This determines whether the inside of the object is hollow or made of smaller hexagonal or triangular shapes, which keeps the object lighter and uses less filament per design.

“For the printer to know how to do the hot glue gun motion, it needs to basically slice the object into layers,” Canada said. “It’s like you’re slicing a cake, but vertically.”

Club members then use sanding tools to smooth their eggs down and then paint them to match those of their respective birds. Finally, the 4-H members will create an exhibit about their eggs and the 3D printing technology for the Saline County Fair in September.

Each student will get to make at least two eggs, and McPeake will include one of them in each of the wildlife kits she is compiling to distribute across the state. These kits are part of Canada’s plan to distribute science and technology equipment to county agents.

“We’re designing five kits that will be stationed in five locations that county agents can access and do outreach to 4-Hers and local schools,” McPeake said. “We hope that soon, anyone in the state who has an interest in wildlife curriculum could contact their county agent and coordinate educational outreach with those kits, or they could use them to train their 4-H leaders, who could then use the kits to teach kids about wildlife.”

McPeake said she hopes the kits will help get more kids involved with the 4-H wildlife program and excited about spending time outdoors.

“Kids today are so smart when it comes to technology, and they’re so engaged in technology,” she said. “We have found that kids are going outdoors less, and yet a lot of the research suggests that being outdoors brings so much value to their lives and to their mental health. This combination of technology and the outdoors is really a great one for this time and age.”

4-H is a youth development program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The program teaches participants life skills through the “learn by doing” model. Program participants gain knowledge through non-formal, science-based, experiential education activities.

For more information about 4-H, contact your local county extension agent or visit https://4h.uada.edu/.

Fast Facts:

  • 4-H members use 3D printing technology to design eggs of Arkansas birds

  • Bird eggs will be used in wildlife curriculum kits for county agents throughout state

  • Project will be exhibited at Saline County FairSALINE COUNTY, Ark. — The 4-H model of “learn by doing” encourages youth to acquire new skills through hands-on activities. The Salem Superstars 4-H club in Saline County is practicing this by combining technology and wildlife curriculum to create 3D-printed bird eggs, teaching participants about the innovative printing method and the Natural State’s bird population.

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Envirotech selects its first vehicle dealer in Arkansas

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by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas’ only car manufacturer has selected its first dealer in the state. Envirotech announced Thursday (July 21) it has partnered with Jonesboro-based DaVinci Innovations (DVI) as its first dealer in the Natural State.

DVI is Envirotech’s first commercial electric licensed vehicle dealer. When it will start selling vehicles was not released. Phillip Oldridge, CEO of Envirotech Vehicles, said he was glad to find a dealer in the region.

“Envirotech is proud to be pushing the transportation industry towards the future of greener technology as we announce DVI as our first Arkansas-based dealer. The days of going to dealerships to purchase vehicles continue to become less prevalent in the industry, and we are excited to see how DVI’s entirely online system will help enhance buyer experience and make purchasing our heavy-duty, fully-electric vehicles more convenient and accessible across the state,” he said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/envirotech-selects-its-first-vehicle-dealer-in-arkansas/

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Arkansas Secretary of Public Safety resigns for health reasons

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by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday (July 21) that Jami Cook has resigned as Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and Director of the Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

In a resignation letter to Hutchinson, Cook said she was stepping down after battling multiple health issues.

Cook was appointed as the Director of the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training on January 14, 2015, by Hutchinson. Prior to her appointment, she served as the Arkansas State Police Program Director, responsible for policies, procedures, training, strategic planning, research and development, and special projects.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/arkansas-secretary-of-public-safety-resigns-for-health-reasons/

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Senate Education Committee chair says teacher pay needs to wait on adequacy study

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by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

State Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, said it is important to follow the process of an adequacy study to raise teacher salaries in Arkansas.

The chair of the Senate Education Committee, Irvin said she has legal concerns if Arkansas lawmakers deviate from the formula that came from the 2004 Lake View case.

“… Legally, my concern is if you start to pick and choose one category outside of that adequacy process, I don’t think that that’s really following what the court wanted us to do, and so that is a huge concern from a legal standpoint, that you’re right in the middle of a study, you’re right in the middle of the process, and you picked out one category of expenditure and you didn’t take into consideration all the expenditures and the funding needed for public school in its totality, which is exactly what the Lakeview case was really all about,” she said.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/senate-education-committee-chair-says-teacher-pay-needs-to-wait-on-adequacy-study/

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Governor Asa Hutchinson Issues Statement in Response to Legislative Council

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LITTLE ROCK – Governor Asa Hutchinson issued the following statement in regards to the Arkansas Legislative Council's decision on the use of money from the American Rescue Plan.

"While I am pleased the Arkansas Legislative Council supports funding bonus pay for teachers, their action to rescind $500 million in spending authority for the Arkansas Department of Education is contrary to the Council’s statutory authority and contrary to the principles of separation of powers underlying the Arkansas Revenue Stabilization Act.

"I am disappointed by the Legislative Council’s vote to rescind its approval to give the Arkansas Department of Education authority to spend $500 million in American Rescue Plan’s Elementary and Secondary Schools Emergency Relief Fund. Just as the General Assembly could not recall a bill from my desk that had already been signed into law, ALC may not undo the lawful appropriations under Act 199 through a parliamentary maneuver. 

"Under the appropriation passed last month the schools could use the funds for teacher bonuses and incentives. The big change now is that the schools must submit plans which must go back to the legislature for additional review.

"In other words, the local school district priorities may not be approved. I am concerned that teachers in some districts will get a bonus, but others may not. The creative approach by the committee today, while well-intentioned, is not the best approach to helping our teachers."

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Active COVID-19 Cases in SW Arkansas

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Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 89

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 135

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 56

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 40

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 31

Active Cases Data for Miller County
Total Active Cases: 205

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UAMS Attains Comprehensive Care Center Designation for Outstanding Patient Care for Parkinson’s Disease

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By Linda Satter

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS Health) has been designated a Comprehensive Care Center by the Parkinson’s Foundation Global Care Network for providing outstanding care to Parkinson’s disease patients.

The designation recognizes medical facilities with specialized teams that provide evidence-based Parkinson’s disease care. It signifies that the UAMS Movement Disorders Clinic has met rigorous standards of excellence in the areas of comprehensive clinical care, community education and resources, and community outreach.

The Parkinson’s Foundation created the Comprehensive Care Center designation in late November and plans to apply it to just 15 medical centers across the country over the next five years. UAMS is one of only six medical centers nationwide to attain the designation so far. The others are in Connecticut, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan and Tennessee.

https://news.uams.edu/2022/07/25/uams-attains-comprehensive-care-center-designation-for-outstanding-patient-care-for-parkinsons-disease/

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Rutledge Appoints Miguel Lopez to Ethics Commission

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LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is proud to announce the appointment of Miguel Lopez of Little Rock to the Arkansas Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission serves as the compliance and enforcement agency tasked with ensuring Arkansas’s standard of conduct and disclosure laws are adhered to by candidates for public office, state and local officials, lobbyists, political committees and individuals involved with ballot initiatives.

“Miguel is a respected professional in the banking world and I couldn’t be prouder to appoint him to the Commission,” said Attorney General Rutledge. “As a child who immigrated to the United States, Miguel epitomizes the American dream where hard work and dedication result in a prosperous and fulfilling career.”

“As an immigrant I carry with me a servant’s heart. Always looking for ways to give back to the state that has given my family so much,” said Lopez. “I want to thank Attorney General Leslie Rutledge for this nomination. I will work tirelessly for this commission and our great state.” Lopez is currently the Chief Community Outreach Officer for Encore Bank and has previously worked at First Community Bank and the Little Rock Chamber. Miguel graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science as well as his Masters of Public Administration. Miguel is active in his local community serving as Vice Chairman of Goodwill of Arkansas and Chairman of the Excel Center school board.

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Arkansas 4-H State O-Rama returns to University of Arkansas campus

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SKILLS -- Arkansas 4-H members compete in a livestock skills event during the 2018 4-H State O-Rama. (Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts:

  • 4-H State O-Rama is July 26-29

  • More than 300 youth, county staff, volunteers will convene for state-level contests, workshops and more

  • Winner of Governor’s Award, 4-H’s highest honor, will be announced

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For Arkansas 4-Hers, all roads lead to State O-Rama. Hundreds of youth, county staff and volunteers will flood the University of Arkansas Fayetteville campus from July 26-29 for the event, which features state-level competitions, workshops, tours and socials. This is the first in-person State O-Rama since 2019.

SKILLS -- Arkansas 4-H members compete in a livestock skills event during the 2018 4-H State O-Rama. (Division of Agriculture photo by Fred Miller)

Priscella Thomas-Scott, extension 4-H events coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said 4-H staff, agents and club leaders are looking forward to the event’s return.

“We’re excited. You know you’re doing a good job when you have parents and kids that come up and say, ‘Hey, we’re looking forward to going back to State O-Rama,’” Thomas-Scott said. “This means a lot to the youth in our program.”

Thomas-Scott said more than 300 4-H members, county staff and volunteers from 51 of Arkansas’ 75 counties are registered for O-Rama. The event’s schedule is packed with socials, including a lip sync competition, a glow party, dances, and a “county night out.” This year’s keynote speaker is Laymon Hicks, a youth motivational speaker and author. Hicks will host a workshop titled “Be Your Own Star.”

4-H members can also attend a workshop about resolving food insecurity and participate in the 4-H Lego Challenge.

The election of the 4-H state officer team also takes place at State O-Rama. Thomas-Scott said this election is a “highlight of the event.”

“Our officer team members took the necessary steps of being involved with our program and putting in the hard work to get to this point,” Thomas-Scott said. “It’s definitely a rite of passage for them.”

Students who qualified at their district O-Rama competitions in June will compete in district qualifying contests in areas such as animal science, bait casting and sportfishing, wildlife, photograph, forestry, performing arts and more. 4-H youth also will compete in the program’s state-only contests, which include welding, archery, parliamentary procedure, impromptu public speaking, grassland plant identification, and Family and Consumer Sciences skill-a-thon.

Thomas-Scott said that in addition to the competitions, State O-Rama is an important opportunity for 4-H members to experience a college campus and learn about degree offerings.

“Every 4-Her might not go to college, but at State O-Rama, they’re exposed to a college experience, they’re exposed to learning about different degree paths that are available on campus,” Thomas-Scott said. “It’s not just about the competition, but about having new experiences and going outside of their comfort zone. That’s what I love about this event.”

4-H youth can learn about the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and other college degree offerings at the 4-H O-Rama College Fair and Bumpers College Picnic. Students can also head off campus to tour the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, a program of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the Division of Agriculture. The program provides hands-on learning for farmers and food entrepreneurs, providing them with necessary skills and resources to develop sustainable businesses.

State O-Rama also includes a 4-H awards winner and donor dinner, as well as the 4-H Awards of Excellence ceremony, which recognizes the state scholarship winner, state record book winners, and the nominees for the Governor’s Award. As 4-H’s highest honor, the Governor’s Award is available only to former record book winners. Finalists go through an interview process and have lunch at the Governor’s Mansion with the governor and his wife, and the award is based on the student’s involvement with 4-H.

Thomas-Scott said the time and effort it takes to coordinate State O-Rama is more than worth it.

“It’s a lot of work, but it pays off when you see the kids enjoying themselves and learning new skills that they can take home with them,” she said. “Plus, they love to have a good time. It’s tiring for the adults, but it’s all about the kids.”

4-H is a youth development program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The program teaches participants life skills through the “learn by doing” model. Program participants gain knowledge through non-formal, science-based, experiential education activities.

For more information about 4-H, contact your local county extension agent or visit https://4h.uada.edu/.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

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‘Surviving drought’ topic of University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture free webinar for cattle producers

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‘Surviving drought’ topic of Division of Agriculture webinar for cattle producers

LITTLE ROCK — Experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a free webinar July 21 to offer guidance to Arkansas cattle producers struggling with drought.  

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Fast Facts:

  • Webinar set for July 21 from 6-8 p.m. via Zoom

  • Webinar offers management strategies and recommendations for cattle producers struggling with drought

  • No cost to attend; register at https://bit.ly/drought-webinar

LITTLE ROCK — Experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a free webinar July 21 to offer guidance to Arkansas cattle producers struggling with drought.  

“Our cattle producers statewide are struggling right now to survive this drought, and many of them face some tough decisions,” Vic Ford, extension’s associate president for agriculture and natural resources, said. “We can provide resources in management strategies and research-based recommendations for forage, beef and pest management that we hope will help our cattle producers through this drought.”

The free webinar will be offered 6-8 p.m. July 21 via Zoom. Registration is required and available at https://bit.ly/drought-webinar.

A recording will be made available later for those unable to attend.                                                                                    
Topics and speakers include:

  • Livestock economics - James Mitchell, livestock economist

  • Forage management - John Jennings, forage agronomist

  • Beef management - Daniel Rivera, director of the Southwest Research and Extension Center

  • Fall armyworm and stem maggot control - Kelly Loftin, entomologist

  • Farm and farm family stress - Brittney Schrick, family life specialist

Resources for managing cattle during drought are available on the Cooperative Extension Service website at https://bit.ly/managing-cattle.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uark.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

 

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System 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 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.  

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media Contact:
Tracy Courage
Director of Communications
U of A System Division of Agriculture-Extension
501-658-2044

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Notice from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Share Post)

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(Photo by David George)

Arkansas Cattlemen's Association

All of Arkansas is in a drought for the first time in 10 years. Conditions are rough for all of agriculture.

Hay production has all but stopped in the majority of the state, with estimates of drastically less hay harvested this year and a need to start feeding it soon because of limited grass.

Cattle are being sold at a drastically increased rate at Arkansas livestock markets because of limited grazing.

The ACA and Governor Asa Hutchinson have requested a USDA Drought Disaster Declaration for the entire state of Arkansas.

The ACA has also requested $3.5 million for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to create a new program to help producers through this time - the Arkansas Emergency Feed Assistance Transportation Program.

This program would provide financial assistance to producers on transportation costs of feedstuffs, including hay, during this drought.

How can you help? Share this post to raise awareness, be prepared to contact your legislators if we make a call to action, and take care of yourself and your herd in this heat.

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Burn Ban for most of Arkansas; Drought continues

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Maps from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture & Arkansas Forestry Commission

33 counties are currently under a high wildfire danger risk. As dry conditions continue, it's important to be aware of what you can do to help prevent wildfires.

Arkansas Cattlemen's Association

All of Arkansas is in a drought for the first time in 10 years. Conditions are rough for all of agriculture.

Hay production has all but stopped in the majority of the state, with estimates of drastically less hay harvested this year and a need to start feeding it soon because of limited grass.

Cattle are being sold at a drastically increased rate at Arkansas livestock markets because of limited grazing.

The ACA and Governor Asa Hutchinson have requested a USDA Drought Disaster Declaration for the entire state of Arkansas.

The ACA has also requested $3.5 million for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to create a new program to help producers through this time - the Arkansas Emergency Feed Assistance Transportation Program.

This program would provide financial assistance to producers on transportation costs of feedstuffs, including hay, during this drought.

How can you help? Share this post to raise awareness, be prepared to contact your legislators if we make a call to action, and take care of yourself and your herd in this heat.

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Supreme Court's EPA ruling will negatively impact Arkansas, activist says

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KUAR | By Josie Lenora

An Arkansas environmental leader says a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions will have negative consequences for the state.

The 6-3 decision was handed down on June 30 in the case of West Virginia v. EPA. As NPR News reported, the court said any such regulations must be authorized by Congress. It’s unique as no other such agency limits have been imposed in at least 75 years and could have implications on other government agencies.

Glen Hooks is the former chapter director of the Arkansas Sierra Club, which has been involved in litigation against energy companies in an effort to shut down the dirtiest plants in the state. Today he is policy manager at Audubon Delta, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-16/recent-supreme-court-epa-ruling-will-negatively-impact-arkansas-activist-says

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Ducks swim in Lake Catherine with an Entergy Arkansas natural gas plant in the background on March 27, 2022. As part of a settlement announced in 2018, the power company agreed to shut down the Hot Spring County plant by 2027.

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Arkansas Senate approves process for ethics violation hearings

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KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Arkansas lawmakers set the framework Monday for hearings that will take place this week concerning ethics violations by Republican senators Alan Clark of Lonsdale and Mark Johnson of Ferndale.

Last month, the Senate Ethics Committee found Clark had asked Johnson to place his name on a sign-in sheet for a Boys State meeting he did not attend to receive reimbursement. The full Senate will vote whether to penalize the two.

According to a document provided by the committee, the penalties recommended for Clark and Johnson include:

Ronak Patel/KUAR News

Senate President Pro Tem Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana, on Monday said he will relinquish his duties of presiding over the chamber during an ethics violation hearing later this week.