Pigweed persists as Arkansas farmers seek answers

Fast Facts

• Growers want, need just-in-time recommendations
• Increased production costs may offset potential profit in strong prices

PIGGOTT, Ark. – Strong cotton prices are a carrot for producers who are spending more, but gaining ground, on one of their toughest foes: herbicide-resistant pigweed. Read complete story here.

Reducing Seedbanks in Pigweed

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Request For Fusarium Wilt Samples

BY TERRY KIRKPATRICK, PROFESSOR - PLANT PATHOLOGY, ON JULY 29TH, 2011

Fusarium Wilt of Cotton.

Fusarium wilt (FW) is more visible this summer than it has been for several years in Arkansas cotton fields.   FW is a disease of the vascular system caused by a soilborne fungal pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum) that survives for long periods (several years) in cotton fields. Read the full story here.

Alert: Bacterial Blight of Cotton Found in Arkansas

BY TERRY KIRKPATRICK, PROFESSOR - PLANT PATHOLOGY, ON JULY 20TH, 2011

Bacterial blight, a disease that has not been of economic significance in Arkansas for years, has been detected in numerous cotton fields in northeastern Arkansas, as well as in some fields in the southeastern part of the state and some areas of Mississippi over the last two weeks. Read the story here.

Invasive Species Alert: Two Potentially New Pests of Arkansas Row Crops

BY SCOTT AKIN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & EXTENSION ENTOMOLOGIST, ON JULY 15TH, 2011


As if we didn’t have enough insect problems in our great state, particularly in soybeans, two “new” insects have emerged in the Eastern U.S., and may be heading this way. Read the story here.

Amid Unseasonably Cool Temperatures, Watch for “Thrippy” Cotton

BY SCOTT AKIN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR & EXTENSION ENTOMOLOGIST, ON MAY 17TH, 2011

The entire state of Arkansas has been going through a cool snap over the last several days. Thus, many growers may already be dealing with rough-looking cotton even without thrips pressure. One thing we already know about young cotton and cool weather is that young plants can be more susceptible to thrips injury as a result of the plant being unable to “outrun” thrips numbers. Click here to read entire article.

Nitrogen Management for Flooded Soils

BY LEO ESPINOZA, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & EXTENSION SOIL SCIENTIST, ON MAY 9TH, 2011

As the floodwater begins to recede, corn and grain sorghum producers begin to wonder what management practices, particularly in relation to nitrogen, are appropriate. The magnitude of the loss of nitrogen will depend on soil type, field topography, fertilizer source, and time of nitrogen application among others. Click here to read the full article.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance Available

Release Date: May 17, 2011
Release Number: 1972/1983-005

CLINTON, Miss. – Mississippians who live or work in 40 counties and became unemployed because of the floods, storms or tornadoes may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance. This program helps people who don't qualify for standard unemployment compensation programs, such as the self-employed, farmers and seasonal workers. Click here to read the full article.

Late Planting Cotton and Projecting Yield Loss

BY TOM BARBER, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR & COTTON AGRONOMIST, ON MAY 5TH, 2011

Recent updates reported May 2nd from the Arkansas Agricultural Statistics Service estimate 6% of the cotton crop to be planted. This is well behind last year’s 26% and the five-year average of 25%.

To read more, click here.

Understanding Soybean Seed Quality

BY JEREMY ROSS, EXTENSION AGRONOMIST - SOYBEANS, ON MAY 5TH, 2011

What is Seed Quality?

Seed quality is complex. Several factors influence seed quality including variety, purity, weather, insects, diseases, harvest moisture, handling, and storage.

Germination and vigor are quick and inexpensive lab tests that provide information about seed quality.

To read more, click here.

Disaster Assistance Available for Producers

Disaster Assistance Available for Producers

FSA Administrator Reminds Affected Farmers and Ranchers of FSA Programs

WASHINGTON, April 28, 2011 — USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting Administrator Val Dolcini today reminded crop and livestock producers throughout states that have recently experienced severe damage from flooding, wildfires and tornadoes that FSA programs may be available to assist with recovery. Click here to read more.

Double-Cropped Cotton and Wheat

Arkansas wheat producers have recently increased acreage due to higher market prices and value of wheat production. Similarly, increases in market prices for cotton have spurred producers’ interest in considering double-cropping cotton after wheat harvest.

Beefing Up Production and Meat Quality

To help satisfy consumers' growing appetite for beef, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are looking at innovative ways to make cattle production more efficient and to provide better beef products. To read more, click here.

US chicken consumption increases in 2010 after three-year decline

Per-capita consumption of chicken in the U.S. is increasing again after three years of decline driven by the economic recession, reduced domestic availability due to exports and increased feed costs, according to Bernard Leonard, chairman of the National Chicken Council.

10 Steps to Growing High Yield Soybeans

BY JEREMY ROSS, EXTENSION AGRONOMIST - SOYBEANS, ON MARCH 30TH, 2011

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Russian broiler imports may drop 39% to 375,000 metric tons this year,

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, Russian broiler imports may drop 39% to 375,000 metric tons this year, from 618,000 metric tons in 2010, as domestic poultry production increases.

http://www.wattagnet.com/21253.html

Safeway announces finalists in "Lucerne The Art of Dairy” art contest

Safeway Inc., Pleasanton, Calif., announced the names of 30 students selected as finalists to compete for a $30,000 grand prize in the sixth annual “Lucerne The Art of Dairy” art contest. The contest — which aims to promote strong bones and creative growth, encourage the artistic ability of students, and highlight the importance of art education in schools — invites high school students to submit designs using the outline of a cow as the canvas.

http://www.safeway.com/IFL/Grocery/Lucerne-Art-of-Dairy

Dairy farmer finds unusual forage grass

Dairy farmer finds unusual forage grass:

Thanks to a farmer's report, an ARS grass breeder has rediscovered a long-forgotten forage grass called meadow fescue that seems just right for today's intensive rotational grazing. (3/15)

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2011/110315.htm

Risk Management Education
National Conference

April 12-13, 2011
Pre-Conference Seminar April 11, 2011

The Extension Risk Management Education National Conference brings together private and public sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals. Our biennial conference allows this diverse group to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts which target agricultural producers and their families.