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

‘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.

###

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

Notice from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Share Post)

(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.

Burn Ban for most of Arkansas; Drought continues

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.

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

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.

Arkansas Senate approves process for ethics violation hearings

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:

• A letter of reprimand

• Removal as committee chair or co-chair for the remainder of the rest of the 93rd General Assembly

• Losing eligibility for per diem and mileage for the remainder of the 93rd General Assembly

• Losing future considering to serve on the Boys State, Girls State and Senate Ethics Committee

  https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-18/arkansas-senate-approves-process-for-ethics-violation-hearings

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.

Arkansas cattle producers facing ‘disaster’ as record drought conditions worsen

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Drought conditions in Arkansas continue to worsen and it’s starting to have an impact on the state’s largest economic sector, agriculture. The impacts to row crops won’t be known for a while, but the cattle industry is in peril.

There are growing reports that cattle farmers are selling off livestock to cut their losses. Farmers in this industry rely on grass fields and hay to supplement costlier feed. The withering conditions are affecting pasture performance statewide.

Parts of Arkansas haven’t had any measurable rain since late May. The National Agricultural Statistics Service’s weekly crop report indicates that 43% of pastures are in poor or very poor condition.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/arkansas-cattle-producers-facing-disaster-as-record-drought-conditions-worsen/

Recreational marijuana petition finds widespread support, tests new signature collection process

by Roby Brock (roby@talkbusiness.net)

Under new laws passed by the Arkansas Legislature in recent years, many political observers expected greater difficulty in collecting ballot petition signatures.

But Responsible Growth Arkansas collected more than 193,000 signatures for its adult recreational marijuana initiative – more than twice what was needed to qualify. The Secretary of State’s office is reviewing the signatures and, if approved, the ballot title will be considered by the State Board of Election Commissioners under a new state law.

Of the $3.2 million raised by Responsible Growth Arkansas as of its June 30, 2022 financial disclosure report, approximately $2.3 million has been spent on the signature collection process. Verified Arkansas, LLC of Little Rock and Advanced Micro Targeting, Inc. of Dallas are the two beneficiaries of that spending.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/recreational-marijuana-petition-finds-widespread-support-tests-new-signature-collection-process/

All Democratic lawmakers call for teacher raises; governor says support still lacking

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

All 29 Arkansas Democratic legislators have signed an open letter addressed to Arkansas teachers and support staff calling for increasing their pay in the upcoming legislative session, but a spokesperson for Gov. Asa Hutchinson said not enough support yet exists for including it in the call.

The letter was signed by all seven Democratic senators and by all 22 Democratic representatives and released publicly Monday (July 18). There are 27 Republicans and one independent in the Senate and 88 Republican House members.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced he is calling legislators into special session Aug. 8. The primary reason is accelerating already approved tax cuts and to pass new ones with the state’s budget surplus this year totaling $1.628 billion.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/all-democratic-lawmakers-call-for-teacher-raises-governor-says-support-still-lacking/

Sultana Disaster Museum receives $1 million federal grant; Southwest Trail gets $2 million

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

For years, an effort has been underway to build a museum to commemorate the sinking of the Sultana, a Civil War steamboat that sank April 27, 1865, in the choppy waters of the Mississippi River near the city of Marion. An estimated 1,200 passengers died making it the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history.

The Sultana Disaster Museum on Tuesday (July 19) received a $1 million grant from the American Rescue Plan. Garland and Saline counties each received $1 million grants from the ARP to develop trail systems.

For the museum to receive the grant, locals had to put up a $250,000 match. The project will create 90 jobs and generate $200,000 in private investments.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/sultana-disaster-museum-receives-1-million-federal-grant-southwest-trail-gets-2-million/

On April 27, 1865, the steamboat Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River about 7 miles from Memphis.

Democrat Chris Jones lays out plan to raise teacher pay to $50,000

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

Against the backdrop of historic Central High School in Little Rock, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Jones outlined Tuesday (July 19) a plan to raise teacher and staff pay in public schools and to close gaps on a growing teacher shortage.

Jones said the state should use up to $400 million of its $1.6 billion state surplus to provide an immediate teacher bonus, raise minimum teacher salaries this August, and raise them again by $4,000 by the end of his first term, if elected.

His plan includes:

• Paying a one-time surplus bonus for teachers and staff between $1,000-$2,500 per school employee;

• Raising minimum teacher pay to $46,000 this August;

• Raising the pay to $50,000 per year by the end of his first term; and

• Adding $4,200 in pay to those teachers and staff already making $46,000 or more.

  https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/democrat-chris-jones-lays-out-plan-to-raise-teacher-pay-to-50000/

Chris Jones at the podium.

AUDIO: Governor Hutchinson’s Weekly Address | Building a Culture of Reading

LITTLE ROCK – The ability to read well is one of the most crucial skills we can give our students, and today I’d like to encourage you to join in our efforts to build a culture of reading in Arkansas.

Reading is not simply one skill of many that we choose to master. Young people who don’t learn to read well will always struggle in life. Reading changes everything.

We can give our children the gift of reading by providing books at home and reading aloud to them. Children with age-appropriate books at home are more likely to excel academically. When we read to our children, we help them build a broad vocabulary, strengthen language skills, and foster a desire to read.  Their memory of that time spent with parents and grandparents is a bonus.

Dolly Parton, the iconic singer from Tennessee, understands that children must read to succeed. So in 1995, she started the Imagination Library to provide books to children up to the age of five. The Department of Education has partnered with Dolly to provide books to more than 55,000 Arkansas children. Dolly visited the Governor’s Mansion in May to join us for a dinner to celebrate the expansion of Imagination Library into every county in Arkansas, which is an impressive accomplishment.

Just this morning, as I wrapped up my year as Chair of the National Governors Association, Dolly joined us by livestream at our summer meeting in Maine to talk about Imagination Library. As the First Lady points out, the children who receive a book in the mail every month have a new story to read and a reminder that someone cares about them.

Public and school libraries are another important element of a reading culture. Libraries offer books, newspapers, and magazines to readers who might not otherwise be able to afford those materials.

When I was growing up in Gravette and reading Hardy Boys detective books, a trip to the library was as much a part of the reading experience as sitting down with a book.

A resident of Helena once wrote to a Little Rock newspaper editor about the mystique of   Helena’s public library, which “was what a library is supposed to be — dark in the corners, cool air, quiet, a little mysterious, and the wonderful smell of books.”

The road to a reading culture in Arkansas is lined with dozens of libraries, including the four that the railroad tycoon and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie paid for in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Morrilton, and Eureka Springs.

Of all the gifts I’d like to leave to Arkansans, a culture of reading is one of the most important. One of our goals has been to ensure that by the time students leave the third grade, they are reading at the third-grade level. To enhance that possibility, the Arkansas Department of Education launched the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence – or RISE. We emphasize phonics and the science of reading.

For Arkansas to continue to prosper, we must build a foundation of readers. Our success depends in large measure on the strength of our collective reading skills.

But it’s more basic than that. I love to read. Literature of all kinds has greatly improved the quality of my life. I want Arkansas’s kids to enjoy books and to read for pleasure as well as education, because we miss so much of life when we don’t.

Latest COVID Numbers in SW Arkansas

Active Cases Data for Sevier County
Total Active Cases: 99

Active Cases Data for Howard County
Total Active Cases: 119

Active Cases Data for Little River County
Total Active Cases: 53

Active Cases Data for Polk County
Total Active Cases: 56

Active Cases Data for Pike County
Total Active Cases: 26

For additional assistance or questions, call the ADH COVID-19 Call Center at 1-800-803-7847, or email ADH.CoronaVirus@arkansas.gov.

Rutledge asks SCOTUS to protect consumers

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge joined a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in urging the United States Supreme Court to hear Lowery v. Joffe.  The case stems from a 2010 class action lawsuit related to Google’s Street View cars collecting millions of consumers’ private data without consumers’ knowledge. Google and the trial lawyers who brought the case settled the suit and agreed to $13 million that lines the pockets of lawyers and liberal-interest organizations that have no connection to the lawsuit or consumers.

“When consumers are the victims, they should be compensated” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “The Supreme Court should act quickly to make sure consumers, not lawyers and their liberal friends, are compensated.” 

General Rutledge was joined in the brief by the attorneys general of Arizona, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

To read the brief, click here.

Long-serving Arkansas Treasurer Jimmie Lou Fisher dies at 80

KUAR | By Talk Business & Politics Staff

Jimmie Lou Fisher, one of the state’s longest serving constitutional officers and the first female major party nominee for Arkansas governor, has died, according to a Twitter statement from the Democratic Party of Arkansas. Additional sources have confirmed her passing.

Fisher, a resident of Paragould, was 80-years-old.

Fisher, a Democrat, was first elected county treasurer in Greene County, a post she held for eight years. In 1979, Clinton, then governor, appointed her to state auditor to fill a vacancy. Two years later, she was elected state treasurer, an office she held for 22 years until term-limited.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-12/long-serving-arkansas-treasurer-jimmie-lou-fisher-dies-at-81

Danny Johnston/AP

Former President Bill Clinton speaks with Democrat candidate for Arkansas governor Jimmie Lou Fisher, left, at a Democratic Party rally on Aug. 26, 2002, in West Memphis, Ark.

Arkansas board approves changes to employee health insurance premiums

KUAR | By Ronak Patel

Changes to Arkansas’ health insurance plan for state employees and public school employees have been approved. The State Board of Finance on Monday unanimously voted in favor adopting new rates proposed by the Employee Benefits Division (EBD).

Director of the EBD Jake Bleed said one change is dropping a wellness program requirement. “Going forward, we will not have a difference in our rates for those who meet wellness requirements and those who do not, at least for the time being. Now like I said, we will have a wellness program in the future and I certainly look forward to bringing it to the Board of Finance,” Bleed said.

The board also approved changing the monthly payments made by members on the plan. In 2023, state employees will be expected to pay $172 a month, while public school employees will be expected to pay $221 a month, according to a spreadsheet provided by Bleed.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-11/arkansas-board-approves-changes-to-employee-health-insurance-premiums

Ronak Patel/KUAR News

Jake Bleed, director of the Employee Benefits Division (center), explains to the State Board of Finance during a June meeting issues with the employee health insurance plan.

Glen Howie named new Arkansas broadband director

KUAR | By Ronak Patel, Josie Lenora

A new broadband director has been named for Arkansas. Glen Howie who comes from the Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity and will lead the state’s broadband expansion.

“Like railways two centuries ago and electricity 100 years ago, broadband internet access today has become a critical piece of infrastructure, igniting economic growth, improving health outcomes, enhancing agricultural output, and advancing the educational experience of our children,” Howie said in a press release. “It is an honor and privilege to be entrusted to build upon the prior success of the state broadband office and lead the team charged with providing a transformational opportunity to all Arkansans."

As a senior policy analyst for the Louisiana Broadband Office Development and Connectivity, Howie was responsible for developing regulations for that state’s $177 million infrastructure grant program. Louisiana was one of the first four states in the country to have its plans approved by the U.S Treasury Department.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-11/glen-howie-named-new-arkansas-broadband-director

Glen Howie Twitter Page

Glen Howie will be responsible for helping Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston expand broadband access in the state.

COVID cases expected to continue rising in Arkansas

KUAR | By David Monteith

BA.5, a subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19, is contributing to rising cases counts and hospitalizations in Arkansas.

That's according to Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Dillaha who says the subvariant was identified in two-thirds of the cases tested last week using genomic sequencing. BA.5 was first identified and labeled as a Variant of Concern by the World Health Organization in January.

Forecasting by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates the number of people hospitalized in the state is expected to continue rising for at least the next three weeks. Dillaha says there are several reasons this subvariant is being transmitted more rapidly.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-07-11/covid-cases-expected-to-continue-rising-in-arkansas

KUAR News

File photo of Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, director of the Arkansas Department of Health.

Grocery prices rose 15.1% in June from a year ago

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Consumers are seeing record grocery prices with the latest inflationary report indicating prices are up 15.1% from a year ago and up 7.4% since the start of 2022, according to marketing firm Numerator.

Overall grocery prices continued to rise in June with beverages seeing the largest impact. While spending remained elevated, optimism is at an all-time low as consumers switch to club and dollar stores to save, Numerator reports.

The grocery retail categories most impacted include frozen meat up 28%, chips up 26%, poultry up 25%, water up 22%, milk and milk substitutes up 17% in the four-week period ending July 3, compared to the same time last year. Beverages are the most impacted department in the grocery sector. Among the top-selling categories in the grocery sector, five beverage categories rank in the top 10 for highest inflation rates. Juice and coffee prices are up 17% along with sports drinks. Soft drink prices increased by 14%. Beer prices rose 6% while wine cost 5% more in June. Spirits prices were up 3%, according to the Numerator data.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/grocery-prices-rose-15-1-in-june-from-a-year-ago/

ArDOT wants feedback on plan to build electric vehicle charging network

by Jeff Della Rosa (JDellaRosa@nwabj.com)

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT), in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Environment, is accepting comments on a draft plan to install electric vehicle charging stations across the state. Comments on the draft plan will be accepted through Tuesday (July 19). The final plan will be submitted to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation by Aug. 1, according to a news release.

The draft Arkansas Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan shows the proposed locations for new charging stations throughout Arkansas. Money to install the stations will come from the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

In February, the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced nearly $5 billion will be used to build a national electric vehicle charging network and that Arkansas is eligible to receive up to $54.12 million over five years for its network. The state’s draft plan shows Arkansas would receive $8 million of the funding in 2022.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/ardot-wants-feedback-on-plan-to-build-electric-vehicle-charging-network/

New coalition launches to help close Arkansas’ digital divide

by Paul Gatling (pgatling@nwabj.com)

Bentonville nonprofit Heartland Forward has organized a coalition of more than a dozen Arkansas organizations whose goal is to help expand internet access in the state.

According to a Thursday (July 14) news release, the Arkansas Connectivity Coalition includes the Arkansas Black Mayors Association, Arkansas Community Foundation, Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc., Arkansas Farm Bureau, Arkansas Impact Philanthropy, Communities Unlimited, Diamond State Networks, Forward Arkansas, Holman Strategies, Runway Group, University of Arkansas-Department of Communication, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Research and Extension, Winrock International and Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

Collectively, their goal is to help support local efforts and secure federal funding to expand access and ensure high-speed internet is more accessible and affordable across the state.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/07/new-coalition-launches-to-help-close-arkansas-digital-divide/