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Sims is Here to Help Defend our Forests
With Arkansas’ multibillion-dollar forestry industry to defend, forest health researcher Laura Sims has been named director of the recently announced $16.8 million Arkansas Forest Health Research Center based at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
Vitis Vinifera and Muscadines: Grape Breeders Seek the Best of Both Grapes
Muscadines may be the folksy American of the grape world, but they have many qualities like disease resistance and unique flavors that are desired in the more popular Vitis vinifera (bunch grapes) species…
LISTEN: Rooting for the Future – Restoring Arkansas’s Bottomland Hardwood Forests
Dr. Michael Blazier, Dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, discusses the Restoring Bottomland Hardwood Forests project, a $3.7 million initiative that plans to convert idle farmland into thriving ecosystems…
Center for Agricultural Data Analytics Welcomes Samantha Robinson as New Faculty
Behind the scenes of modern agricultural research are the statisticians who help make sense of the data and guide the design of the studies before they even start. Samantha Robinson, an associate professor of statistics and data science…
Nutrition and Dietetics Researcher Joins Bumpers College, Division of Agriculture
Joanna Fiddler, whose research focuses on the role of micronutrients in maintaining health, joined the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences and the UADA as an assistant professor of human nutrition and dietetics in August…
Nearly 400 Attend Grand Opening for NE Rice Research and Extension Center
“When something happens once a century, it’s pretty special.” That’s how University of Arkansas System Trustee Steve Cox spoke of the opening of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center, the first new Arkansas land-grant rice research and extension center in 100 years…
Silent Spoiler: Listeria Outbreak Raises Food Safety Concerns
From deli counters to dinner tables, food safety relies on careful research and strict sanitation. As a multistate Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to deli meats raises concerns, researchers continue to work behind the scenes to ensure food safety standards…
New Machine Learning Model Offers Simple Solution to Predicting Crop Yield
A new machine-learning model for predicting crop yield using environmental data and genetic information can be used to develop new, higher-performing crop varieties. Igor Fernandes, a statistics and analytics master’s student at the University of Arkansas…
2024 Avian Influenza Summit to Address Virus’ Impacts on Global Health Beyond Poultry
While surges in colds, flu and even COVID may come and go, agricultural producers are always on the lookout for avian influenza — and not just in poultry flocks. In 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected not only in birds, but cattle, swine and humans as well…
August 2024 Arkansas Ag Research Report
A monthly round-up of top stories from the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. IN THIS ISSUE: Hydroponics and controlled environment research to control pests and pathogens, Getting a closer look at the state’s forests, Generative AI and agriculture meet in the classroom…
WATCH: Natalie Clay – Exploring Hidden Worlds | Behind the Discovery
Every day, most of us walk through — and on top of — incredible worlds that we don’t even know exist. Natalie Clay studies these hidden worlds with an aim to understand the insect and plant interactions in forest ecosystems…
Unique Chicken Line Advances Research on Autoimmune Disease that Affects Humans
A unique chicken breed is helping researchers better understand vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that affects 1-2 percent of the world’s population. In vitiligo (pronounced vit-ih-LIE-go), the immune system attacks cells called melanocytes, causing skin pigment to disappear…
Sowing Support: Farmers for Tomorrow Fundraiser to Benefit Aspiring Farmers
Starting a farm from scratch is no easy task, especially for first-generation farmers. The costs for tools, equipment, seeds, and storage can quickly become overwhelming. To help ease this burden, the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food, CAFF, created the Farmers for Tomorrow Fund …
LISTEN: Better Rice – Boosting Food Security, Profits without Increasing Yield
Arkansas could produce an estimated 1 to 3.5 million more servings of rice per year. That’s according to recent research analyzing rice quality in the state. In this episode of Food, Farms and Forests, Dr. Lanier Nalley explains his research on the impacts of improving rice milling quality…
Aug. 30 Grand Opening Set for NE Rice Research and Extension Center
VIPs from the agriculture industry and academia will be cutting the ribbon for the Aug. 30 grand opening of the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. Presentation of the colors will begin at 10:20 a.m. followed by the formal program at 10:30 a.m…
WATCH: Tomi Obe – Controlling Foodborne Pathogens | Behind the Discovery
Tomi Obe is passionate about the intersection of food safety and poultry processing. Tomi is an assistant professor with the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science and is eager to find ways to identify and control foodborne pathogens in the poultry industry…
Study Shows Successful Use of ChatGPT in Ag Education
Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT show promise as a useful means in agriculture to write simple computer programs for microcontrollers, according to a study published this month. Microcontrollers are small computers…
USDA-NIFA Awards $300K to Study Food Safety, Plant Pathogens and Pests in Hydroponics
As controlled environment agriculture and vertical farming gain a greater foothold in modern agriculture, a new $300,000 grant aims to enhance hydroponic lettuce production. Kristen Gibson…
2024 Southern Soybean Breeders Tour to Spotlight Mid-South’s Opportunities, Challenges
The Arkansas Soybean Breeding program invites all breeders, researchers, growers, and industry professionals to the 2024 Southern Soybean Breeders Tour for an in-depth exploration of the latest research, trials and innovations in soybean breeding…
Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center Hosts Inaugural Rice Field Day
The new Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center in Harrisburg welcomed more than 250 attendees to its inaugural rice field day to hear region-specific updates from researchers and extension specialists…