New editions of the most widely used publications from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture are now available and offer the latest research-based recommendations for managing insects, weeds and diseases in row crop agriculture, as well as in fruit, vegetable and garden production. The 2021 publications include: • MP44 — Recommended Chemicals for Weed and Brush Control. • ... Read More »
Departments
Louisiana Master Farmer Program graduates 2020 class
The Louisiana Master Farmer Program, a Louisiana State University AgCenter-led initiative that teaches about conservation, recently graduated its 2020 class. Five new Master Farmer certifications as well as 14 recertifications were awarded recently during a virtual meeting of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts. Also, Mead Hardwick of Tensas Parish was named the 2020 Louisiana Outstanding Master Farmer. To become ... Read More »
LSU AgCenter launches preseason rice and soybean videos
With the start of rice planting only two months away, the LSU AgCenter has prepared a series of video presentations by its experts to help farmers prepare for the 2021 crop. These are in place of the normal in-person winter grower meetings, which have been put on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The videos can be viewed at https://lsuagcenter.com/topics/crops/rice/virtual-presentations. In ... Read More »
2020 proved a surprisingly steady year for most Arkansas crops
• By Ryan McGeeney • Despite a year dominated by major weather systems run amuck and a global pandemic, most of Arkansas’ major crops came out ahead in 2020, according to a Jan. 12 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Overall, Arkansas growers harvested about 6.74 million acres of commodity crops in 2020, not including fruits and other specialty ... Read More »
Let’s review poultry litter as a row-crop fertilizer
• By Larry Oldham • It is time to once again review using poultry litter, aka broiler litter, to fertilize row crops. Many growers now have their own experiences, so this should be a reminder. Prior to the last 10 to 15 years, poultry litter was primarily used to fertilize hay and forage crops in fields near the production facilities. ... Read More »
Rice producer named to California Water Commission
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed three, including rice producer Kim Gallagher, to the California Water Commission. Joining her are Amy Cardalis, a member of the Yurok Tribe and its general counsel, and Fern Steiner, an attorney and member of the San Diego County Water Authority Board. They still have to be confirmed by the state Senate. The California Water ... Read More »
MSU’s Drew Gholson to lead Alluvial Aquifer Research Center
Dr. Drew Gholson has been appointed coordinator of the National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research, a jointly created and cooperative organization established by Mississippi State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. The center’s mission is to conduct research and provide information for issues surrounding water-use for agriculture and natural resources in the Lower Mississippi River Basin. ... Read More »
Honoring the Trinity River
New Texas long-grain release offers stronger yield potential than Presidio • By Vicky Boyd, Editor • Texas A&M AgriLife Research is releasing Trinity, a new conventional long-grain rice variety with better first- and second-crop yield potential than Presidio — a previous Texas release that’s the most widely grown inbred in the state. Formerly known as RU1603178, Trinity was developed by ... Read More »
Passing down the passion
SW Louisiana farm family continues and expands the conservation practices that previous generations started. • By Amy Robertson Fuselier • Located in Louisiana’s Acadia and Vermilion parishes is Simon Farms, a multi-generational family farm known far and wide for their dedication to conservation. This close-knit family has a passion for soil health and a thirst for knowledge about ways to ... Read More »
New year, fresh start
It seems like we spent a good portion of the past year counting the days until it would be over — and now it finally is. We’re turning the page on what by all accounts was a pretty terrible year. At the risk of jinxing us, 2021 is off to a good start. Most importantly, the scientific and medical community ... Read More »