Today’s meat chickens were bred to grow faster with higher feed conversion ratios, but that also makes chicken house climate control even more important. Demand for better climate control, especially ventilation…
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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…
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…
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 …
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…
Arkansas Initiative Advances Organic Farming, Diversity
With U.S. organic food sales topping $63 billion last year, the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food wants to help Arkansas farmers grab a larger share of that market. Arkansas has 107 certified organic farms, most of which are poultry or egg operations, with 19 fruit or vegetable farms…
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…
2024 Rice Field Day Updates Producers on Latest Research, Rice Breeding
More than 350 people attended the 2024 Rice Field Day at RREC on Aug. 1 to hear research updates on rice breeding, precision agriculture and weed control. Arkansas remains the nation’s top rice producer, with over 1.4 million acres of rice this year…
Machine Learning Leads to a First in Forestry Management Tools
A new dataset is providing a bird’s-eye view of Arkansas’ forests 1 meter at a time. An Arkansas researcher has developed the first high-resolution forest canopy cover dataset for an entire state, providing valuable insights for forest managemen…
‘New’ Herbicides in Blackberry Production Could Soon Be an Option for Growers
Two “new” herbicide options could soon be available for blackberry growers during the 2025 growing season. Recent research by weed scientist Matt Bertucci shows that the herbicides 2,4-D choline and glufosinate are safe and effective…
NIFA Grant Supports Innovative Blackberry Research in Arkansas
Ryan Dickson, an assistant professor of horticulture for the AAES, has been developing research since 2018 on growing blackberries indoors and recently secured a nearly $750,000 grant to further that work over the next four years…
Cover Crops, Limited-Till Championed by Delta Farmer
For Adam Chappell, cover crops and limited tillage practices have not only decreased irrigation, pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use but also improved soil quality and decreased water runoff.
Lake Fayetteville monitoring reveals peak months for harmful algal blooms
Five years of water quality monitoring at Lake Fayetteville is shedding light on the cycles of waterborne nutrients and bacteria-produced toxins, offering a better way…
Best Meat Quality, Most Economical Cattle ‘Finishing’ Diet Has More Byproduct
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.
Kenyan Crop Contamination Outbreak Inspires Grad Student to Improve Rice Storage
While half the global population relies on rice as a staple, about 15 percent of rice produced each year is contaminated by potentially fatal aflatoxins…