For the Media

November 20, 2009

LITTLE ROCK - Helping producers make the best decisions to achieve their business and family goals is the mission of the Southern Risk Management Education Center, operated by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Common turkey questions? Here's the answer

MURFREESBORO, Ark. - Although Americans are eating more turkey, for many roast turkey is still a once-a-year meal; and a lack of familiarity with the bird can lead to questions about cooking.

Turkey may be the star, but give the supporting cast attention at Thanksgiving

TEXARKANA, Ark. - Sure, turkey is the star at Thanksgiving, but the bird needs a great supporting cast to put on a great show at the dinner table.

Turkey shouldn't be the only décor on Thanksgiving table

SEARCY, Ark. - Turkey may take the center of the plate at Thanksgiving, but the table still isn't complete without a centerpiece, said Sherri Sanders, White County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

November is diabetes awareness month

MARION, Ark. - Nearly 24 million people have diabetes, and nearly a fourth, 5.7 million, haven’t been diagnosed yet, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Multicolored Asian lady beetles are beautiful but pesky

LITTLE ROCK - If large numbers of lady beetles gather around the home, it may be a sign of a multicolored Asian lady beetle infestation, said Dr. John Hopkins, extension urban entomologist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Top-notch beef cattle conference set for Ozark

OZARK, Ark. - Live calf demonstrations and a detailed look at government animal identification programs are among the agenda topics for the 2010 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference set for February 16 at the I-40 Livestock Auction in Ozark.

National 4-H Agents association honors Poling with distinguished service award

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Rich Poling, associate professor for extension program development for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, has been honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

Moldy homes call for an air attack

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - One disadvantage of modern construction is our predilection for airtight facilities. I'm basing that opinion on calls received in regards to the presence of mold inside many highly energy efficient homes. Our grandparents never had the problem, but homes were so poorly constructed you could throw a cat through any wall.

November 16, 2009

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The estimated crop loss for the 2009 harvest so far has risen to $309 million, not including lost wages of about $83 million due to decline in nearly 3,000 full-and part-time agriculture-related jobs, the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said. (Eds: Story will be updated following release of USDA crop progress report)

November 13, 2009

LITTLE ROCK - In a year of torrential rain, swine flu and limited funds, there is still many reasons to give thanks. When gathering your friends and family for Thanksgiving this year, keep in mind the joy of being together, a warm home to be in, and safe, comforting food to share.

Thanksgiving: Time management equals stress management

TEXARKANA, Ark. - With less than a month between now and Thanksgiving, planning ahead to beat the holiday's stress is even more important, said Carla Haley, Miller County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Plan Ahead to Manage Holiday Stress

LITTLE ROCK - 2009 has been a trying year for Arkansans. The recession, job loss, flooding rains and the flu are just a few of the issues we have had to deal with this year, and now the holidays are looming. When you don't have much money or don't feel well, it's hard to summon up the spirit of giving for anyone, much less yourself.

PIGGOTT, Ark. - A lot of people have put in a lot of hard work and long hours only to be disappointed by poor weather and crop losses. What I would like to ask you to do is search yourself and ask: "Are things really that bad?"

Versatile winter squash can help create tasty holiday dishes

PINE BLUFF, Ark. - Winter squash can play a major role in creating nutritious and delicious meals for the holidays, says Dr. Therthenia Lewis, an Extension nutrition specialist at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Clock is ticking on insurance for planting wheat

JONESBORO, Ark. - Arkansas' wheat farmers should review their policies now to ensure they are covered if weather prevents them from planting their 2010 crop, said Scott Stiles instructor of agricultural economics for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
 

Pines, arborvitae browning is normal this time of year

LITTLE ROCK - Browning of needles in evergreens such as pines and arborvitae is normal for this time of year as they lose older growth, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Frost in the forecast? Start winterizing the garden

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - An autumn of rain and unseasonably warm temperatures for parts of Arkansas have made it easy to forget that winter is just weeks away, but there are plenty of tasks to be done before freezing temperatures are here to stay.

November in Arkansas: Frost isn't far away

LITTLE ROCK - Cold toes aren't the only reasons to break out the blankets during a frost or freeze warning: The garden plants might need them, too.

Backyard habitats can be havens for birds

SEARCY, Ark. - Having a full bird feeder with no birds around may seem like preparing a home-cooked meal but having no one around to eat it. Simply putting out birdseed is only one facet of creating a backyard bird habitat, said Sherri Sanders, county extension agent-agriculture with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Signs of Winter: Uncle Ray says dig out the long johns

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - "Hey!" Uncle Ray's voice was as crisp as the November morning. "You dug your long johns out of storage yet?" I had the feeling this was going to be his usual "one-up-man-ship" phone call, but I replied, "Not yet. Do you think I need too?"

November 9, 2009

UNDATED - More than a week of sunshine has allowed Arkansas farmers to make much progress on their rain-delayed harvest.

November 6, 2009

U of Arkansas Division of Ag estimates crop losses at $224.8 million as of November 1

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A wetter-than-normal growing season has cut into Arkansas' farm receipts by more than $224.8 million as of November 1, according to a preliminary report issued by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Record rain in Arkansas dings fruit, hay, timber

UNDATED - Arkansas' row crops weren't the only ones to suffer from record rainfall. Fruit, hay and timber also were hurt.

Flying fire ant foe gaining ground in Arkansas

Garlic: Plant, eat, enjoy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - With Halloween gone and the danger of vampires presumably past, fall is prime time for planting garlic.

Allan Armitage to be keynote at cut flower business workshop

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - One of the founders of the University of Georgia's famed trial gardens will be the keynote speaker at "Rolling the Dice with Cut Flowers," a two-day workshop for entrepreneurs considering cut flowers as a full- or part-time business.

Fall leaves mean extra work

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Fall foliage is beautiful - until it has to raked or removed from the gutters.

November 4, 2009

LONOKE, Ark. - Soybean fields south of I-40 are showing dismal returns, but the harvest from fields in northeast Arkansas are a bit more promising, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

HARRISBURG, Ark. - After a month of watching promising crops succumb to fungus and other ills caused by record rainfall, Arkansas farmers were running combines and pickers full tilt this week to reap what’s left in the fields before the next rain falls.

November 3, 2009

LAKE VILLAGE, Ark. - The rain-shocked 2009 growing season may prove to be devastating for Chicot County, where more than 65 percent of the county is farmland.

November 2, 2009

Sun, dry forecast prompt harvest hopes, even for submerged crops

UNDATED - Arkansas farmers on Monday were trying to make the most of a rarity: consecutive days of sunshine. However, some growers may have to wait before firing up the harvesters.