From a young age, Emily McDermott has been fascinated by diseases and bugs. As a researcher in the department of entomology and plant pathology…
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New Role Aims to Help Faculty Improve Chances at Grant Funding
To bolster grant funding efforts, Keith Berry Jr. has joined the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station as its first-ever research development specialist…
Poultry Scientist Wayne Kuenzel Honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Wayne Kuenzel, professor of physiology and neuroendocrinology, was recently honored as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his contributions to science…
Researchers Uncover What Makes Some Chickens More Water Efficient than Others
In the first scientific report of its kind, researchers in Arkansas showed that chickens bred for water conservation continued to put on weight despite heat stress that would normally slow growth. Research by the AAES…
LISTEN: New Fertilizer Decision Tool Could Save Farmers Money and Help the Environment
FRST is an interactive online tool that provides soil testing data to farmers and scientists. This resource is free and aims to offer better and more information to farmers so that they can decide how to best treat their soil…
Soil Testing Time Saver Predicts Key Soil Health Characteristics
Farmers in a time crunch have a new, speedier option for analyzing the texture and organic matter content of the soil on their fields. Gerson Drescher, assistant professor of soil fertility for the AAES…
International Avian Influenza and One Health Emerging Issues Summit Set for Fall 2024
As highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses adapt to infect a broad range of species, including one recent human case, the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science has expanded the outlook for its second annual international conference…
LISTEN: How Malted Rice Could Become a Key Ingredient in Beer Brewing
Scott Lafontaine, flavor chemist and assistant professor in the food science department, explains the science behind malted rice and how it could become another tool for the beer brewing industry…
April 2024 Arkansas Ag Research Report
A monthly round-up of top stories from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. April 30, 2024. IN THIS ISSUE: Soil scientists launch a fertilizer recommendation tool to harmonize soil testing across state lines. How AI and machine learning can boost animal science research. Food scientists offer a novel approach to improve food quality during processing while ensuring food safety. Who had a new poultry pathogen named after them? Study shows deworming pre-weaned calves promotes growth performance.
WATCH: Becca Muenich – Focusing on Agroecosystems | Behind the Discovery
Becca Muenich has a lifelong fascination with the environment and natural landscapes. In her work as an engineer, she leverages data to improve water quality…
New Food Entrepreneurs Focus of May 10 Event
Starting a food or beverage business is a dream for many entrepreneurs but knowing where to begin can be challenging, says Darryl Holliday, executive director for the Arkansas Food Innovation Center at The Market Center of the Ozarks…
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Faculty Recognized for Mentorship
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station researchers were recently recognized by the University of Arkansas Office of the Provost and the Office for Faculty Affairs for providing outstanding mentorship to their colleagues and for completing professional development programs.
Biological and Agricultural Engineering Student Places First in Poster Competition
Pouya Sohrabipour, a biological and agricultural engineering master’s degree student, was awarded first place in a U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded research poster competition earlier this month…
AI, Machine Learning Boosts Arkansas Animal Science Research
Supercomputers and artificial intelligence aren’t typically thought to go with animal science, but they are among the tools for a relatively new field of science called bioinformatics that can be used to improve animal health and productivity.
WATCH: Wendell Hutchens – Supporting the Turfgrass Industry | Behind the Discovery
Wendell Hutchens is working to build up the turfgrass industry in Arkansas and beyond. His research focus is managing problematic turfgrass pests, but he’s also…
Claude Kennedy, Retired Cotton Station Director, Former ASCS Regional Director, Passes Away at 82
The Cotton Research Station at Marianna may bear Lon Mann’s name, but the place belonged to Claude Kennedy. “He loved his station. It was personal for him,” said Chuck Culver, director…
New Parasite Affecting Canadian Partridges Named for Arkansas Poultry Scientist
With a newly discovered poultry pathogen named in his honor, Billy Hargis has a permanent place in the annals of science. And now, the pathogen has a permanent place on Hargis. Eimeria hargisi is a parasite discovered by…
Food Scientists are Finding Ways to Preserve Food Quality and Ensure Food Safety
Sometimes the processing that makes food safe can compromise flavor and nutrients, but food scientist Jennifer Acuff is looking for a way to make food safe and minimize loss of quality.
USDA-Grant Supported FRST Project Releases New Fertilizer Prediction Tool
A new fertilizer recommendation tool, developed nationally in collaboration with the AAES, could save farmers millions of dollars annually while reducing excess nutrient losses to the environment.
Nathan McKinney Retires as Assistant Director of Experiment Station
Nathan McKinney is known across the state of Arkansas as someone who has been committed to improving the lives of people through advances in agriculture. In addition to serving as associate vice president of agriculture and assistant director of the AAES since August 2012…
Value-Added Products Focus of ‘Plan. Produce. Profit!’ Workshop May 6
A farmer who can’t sell imperfect tomatoes at the market may turn them into a value-added product, like spaghetti sauce, ratatouille, or salsa. With a little imagination, the same option is available…
Pre-Weaned Calf Deworming Study Showed Improved Weight-Gain, Added Value
A recent Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station study showed deworming calves about two months before weaning improved weight gain and added value for producers…
Former Rohwer Station Director Larry Earnest Passes Away at 62
Growing up on a farm in Lincoln County, Larry Earnest’s love of agriculture was firmly rooted in the soil of southeastern Arkansas. Earnest, former director of the Rohwer Research Station…
‘Grow Your Farm’ Short Course Coming Up in May
The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food will hold a short course on small-scale farming May 3-4. Agricultural economist and professor Mike Popp speaks to CAFF participants…
Researchers Look to Rice for ‘Clean Label’ Ingredients
Naturally occurring polyphenols and proteins from pigmented waxy rice may help starch ingredients improve texture without any chemical modification — a change some consumers…