FAYETTEVILLE—A high-energy diet that includes higher amounts of dry soybean hulls was the most economical choice for Arkansas beef producers who want to “finish,” or bring their weaned cattle up to market weight, on the farm. more

WASHINGTON—Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is awarding a record-breaking $14.3 million in Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants to 154 projects in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. These investments will help 1.9 million children eat more tasty, nutritious foods in school, while supporting farmers and producers in their local and regional communities. more

LITTLE ROCK —Beryl, which existed as everything from an Atlantic hurricane to a tropical depression, brought high winds and rainfall to large swaths of Arkansas this week, but left the vast majority of the state’s row crops intact. more

LITTLE ROCK — Effects of the U.S. Supreme Court’s “Chevron deference” decision on agriculture and environmental law — such as the definition of Waters of the United States — may take years to play out, said Brigit Rollins, staff attorney with the National Agricultural Law Center. more

The Boone County Cattlemen’s Association met on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the John Paul Hammerschmidt Center on the campus of North Arkansas College.  This month’s meeting was sponsored by Ozark Trailer Manufacturing and Sales.  BCCA President John Muncy opened the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance; he then welcomed everyone and recognized birthdays and anniversaries.  Dale Crunkelton offered a blessing for the meal.  We were served a meal of beef burnt ends, baked beans, potato salad, cookies, and beverages.  more

Untreated water used by a Florida cucumber grower is one likely source of salmonella food poisoning that sickened nearly 450 people across the U.S. this spring, federal health officials said Tuesday. more

ROGERS — Arkansas 4-H members tested their grilling skills at the Arkansas 4-H State Barbecue Cook-Off, held June 21-22 in Rogers at the 64th Annual Poultry Festival. Sarah Lamb, 18, was the first-place chicken barbecue winner, and Laney Slate, 18, was the first-place turkey barbecue winner. more

FAYETTEVILLE — Researchers with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture have landed a $270,000 grant to map the spread of an invasive tick species in Arkansas. more

RUSSELLVILLE—Arkansas Tech University welcomed agricultural educators from across the United States June 24-28 for the 2024 Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) Institute. more

LITTLE ROCK — A tick found in a Boone County cattle herd has been confirmed as the invasive Asian longhorned tick, known for carrying a parasite that can be deadly to cattle. more

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LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) Law Enforcement Section has expanded its ability to investigate agricultural crimes in Arkansas. more

FAYETTEVILLE—Bacteria can easily hibernate in low-moisture ingredients such as flour and spices, and food scientists have been working on ways to make them safer with novel technologies. more

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—At the National Rural Grocer’s Summit today, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA and Reinvestment Fund are launching a new program under the Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) to increase access to healthy foods in communities underserved by grocery stores. Funding for the new Food Access and Retail Expansion Fund (FARE Fund) is made possible by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act. more

During the week of June 17-23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is recognizing and celebrating National Pollinator Week. Pollinator species, such as bees, other insects, birds and bats play a critical role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. more

CLARKSVILLE — Jackie Lee, director of the Fruit Research Station, names each blackberry season as if they were hurricanes. more

FAYETTEVILLE—There are about 50 degree programs specializing in agricultural communications in the United States, but in the United Kingdom, the first master’s level microcertificate program has just begun to take shape with some help from an Arkansas professor. more

WASHINGTON DC,—Dr. Aspen Workman, a scientist with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), has been honored with the 2023 Arthur S. Flemming Award in Applied Science and Engineering for her contributions to the advancement of safeguarding livestock from endemic diseases and ensuring healthy and economically viable food systems and food security. more

Maintaining natural resources at the local level is paramount to the mission of the conservation district located in every Arkansas county, and some involved officials are concerned the state’s highest-ranking leaders no longer see the value in these groups. more

LITTLE ROCK — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proclaimed June 9-15 as Arkansas Farmers Market Week to highlight the important benefits that farmers markets provide to Arkansas’s agricultural producers, consumers, and communities. more