| Title |
Excerpt |
Author |
Date |
| Trees Bear Watching for Ice Storm |
Trees may pose additional dangers with the coming of an ice- and snow-laden winter storm because of saturated ground, said Tamara Walkingstick, associate director of the Arkansas Forest Research Center and an extension forester for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Much of Arkansas has seen an overabundance of… |
University of Arkansas |
02/02/10 |
| Extreme Cold: What to do if You’re Stranded |
Arkansans still have months of winter weather ahead and should know the ropes to dealing with extreme cold in case of emergencies, said Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Temperatures in the teens or single digits are uncomfortable,” she said. “But if… |
University of Arkansas |
01/25/10 |
| Commercial Tree, Fruit Workshop Set for February 16 |
Commercial fruit and fruit and nut tree growers from across the state are invited learn about the latest management techniques at the February 16 Tree and Small Fruit workshop at the Natural Resources Center in Conway. The conference runs from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the center at 110 S. Amity… |
University of Arkansas |
01/19/10 |
| Run-In with Wild Hog Underscores Safety First with ATV |
Jaret Rushing is taking some of his own advice these days, especially where ATV safety is concerned. Rushing, a Calhoun County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, spent the end of November nursing bruises, cuts and a pair of black eyes following an ATV accident that… |
University of Arkansas |
01/11/10 |
| Can Golfers Blame the Grass? |
Golfers know that a good golf ball lie can make the difference between a birdie and a bogey. But can golfers blame the grass for a bad lie? A recent University of Arkansas study is attempting to answer that question. Jon Trappe, a University of Arkansas Department of Horticulture program… |
University of Arkansas |
01/11/10 |
| Smooth Hydrangea, Globeflower, Fringeflower Must-Hhaves for 2010 |
Cold weather is a great time to scope out hot ornamentals for the spring garden. For 2010, white-flowered muhly grass and a pink hydrangea are likely to catch the attention of Arkansas gardeners, said Dr. Jim Robbins, extension horticulture specialist-ornamentals for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Invincibelle Spirit… |
University of Arkansas |
01/11/10 |
| Dual Personalities: Not All ‘Daddy Longlegs’ Are Spiders |
Arkansas is home to two animals that share the name daddy longlegs, but are very different creatures, said John Hopkins, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Both are in the class Arachnida, which includes scorpions, spiders, harvestmen, mites, ticks and several other less well known organisms,”… |
University of Arkansas |
12/08/09 |
| Time to Order and Plant Fruit and Nut Trees, Small Fruits |
If you are planning to add fruit or nut trees or small fruits (blueberries, blackberries or muscadines) to your garden, time is rapidly running out, says Dr. Obadiah Njue, Extension horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Cooperative Extension Program. The ideal time to put these plants… |
University of Arkansas |
12/08/09 |
| Can’t Wait for Spring? Bring an Amaryllis Inside |
Gardeners who can’t wait for spring’s return might consider bringing an amaryllis indoors for a vibrant splash of color, said Janet Carson, extension horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “To bring a bit of spring indoors and help cure your spring fever, nothing beats the amaryllis,”… |
University of Arkansas |
12/08/09 |
| Frost in the Forecast? Start Winterizing the Garden |
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. “Now is the time to clean out plant debris and… |
University of Arkansas |
11/20/09 |
| Backyard Habitats Can Be Havens for Birds |
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… |
University of Arkansas |
11/16/09 |
| Pine Browning Normal This Time of Year |
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. “Some of our most common landscape plants, such as pines and arborvitae drop a certain set of needles all… |
University of Arkansas |
11/16/09 |
| University of Arkansas Estimates Crop Losses at $224.8 Million |
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. The report is a snapshot of current conditions and the dollar amount is expected to grow as… |
University of Arkansas |
11/09/09 |
| Record Rain in Arkansas Dings Fruit, Hay, Timber |
Arkansas’ row crops weren’t the only ones to suffer from record rainfall. Fruit, hay and timber also were hurt. On Wednesday, the governors’ office announced that USDA made six more Arkansas counties eligible for assistance due to the heavy rain: Johnson, Logan, Newton, Ouachita, Scott and Searcy. Five of the… |
University of Arkansas |
11/06/09 |
| Discover the Natural Beauty of Fall in Decorations |
With fall in full swing, now is the time to brighten up front yards and porches with flowers, pumpkins and decorations, said Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Planting fall flowers creates a vivid color display and will enhance the carved pumpkins,… |
University of Arkansas |
10/29/09 |
| Oh Deer: Collisions with Cars on the Rise |
They may look cute and appealing as they graze on the roadside, but don’t be fooled - deer can cause injury and even death for Arkansas motorists. According to the Insurance Information Institute for Highway Safety, about 1.5 million animal - vehicle crashes occur each year, causing about $1 billion… |
University of Arkansas |
10/22/09 |
| Insect-Proofing Helps Keep Bugs Out |
Now that cooler fall temperatures have settled in, Arkansans should take care to insect-proof their home, said Van Banks, Monroe County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “If you are like me, you are annoyed when beetles, box elder bugs, crickets, stinkbugs, spiders or any of… |
University of Arkansas |
10/22/09 |
| ‘Scarecrows’ for Pest Vultures |
Vulture replicas are more than just a scary Halloween decoration for some Arkansas home- and farm-owners. Vulture problems are among the top five assistance activities for USDA Wildlife Services in Arkansas, but strategically placed replicas can act like scarecrows, scaring vultures away, according to Becky McPeake, associate professor with the… |
University of Arkansas |
10/22/09 |
| Tips for Selecting the Best Pumpkin |
At this time of year, many adults and children are picking pumpkins from stores or pumpkin patches. Weather conditions in Arkansas and across the Southeast have created perfect conditions for diseases in pumpkins, said Dr. Obadiah Njue, horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Cooperative Extension… |
University of Arkansas |
10/19/09 |
| Rainy Spell Brings Out Fire Ants, Mosquitoes |
The weeks of wet weather have had an impact on Arkansas’ insect population, said Dr. John Hopkins, extension entomologist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Insect pests are affected just as much as humans are by weather,” he said. “When we have periods of hot, dry weather, some… |
University of Arkansas |
10/05/09 |
| Pumpkin Shortage Provides Scary Halloween Scenario |
Wet weather across the Southeast and eastern Midwest and is creating a scary scenario of its own: a Halloween pumpkin shortage, Craig Andersen, extension horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said Tuesday. “Arkansas pumpkins will be affected by the weather, as have all pumpkins across the… |
University of Arkansas |
09/24/09 |
| Ugly Duckling Orangedog Caterpillars |
Disguised as bird droppings, the orangedog caterpillar is the classic case of the ugly duckling that eventually turns into a swan. These caterpillars are native to Arkansas and range from Michigan in the north to western Connecticut in the east, all the way to Florida and Texas. They have a… |
University of Arkansas |
09/14/09 |
| The Complex Business of Milk Prices |
When it comes to gasoline, the public has a good grasp on price trends, thanks to the widely reported price of a barrel of crude. However, tracking milk prices is not so easy, even if prices paid to producers for raw milk is at a 40-year low, said Dr. Wayne… |
University of Arkansas |
09/14/09 |
| Fight Summer Zucchini Attacks with Varied Recipes |
It’s a summer scenario repeated in neighborhoods across the country: Your generous neighbor is coming up the front walk with armloads of zucchini for the third time. Do you answer the door or pretend you’re not home? “If you have a neighbor with a garden, chances are you may have… |
University of Arkansas |
08/31/09 |
| Sometimes More is Better When It Comes to Fruits, Vegetables |
That $1.50 candy bar may seem like a deal at the moment, but when it comes to real value, it’s hard to beat fruits and vegetables, said Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture analyzed the prices of… |
University of Arkansas |
08/21/09 |
| Potassium Needed to Improve Yield and Size of Ears of Corn |
Low levels of potassium limit the size of ears of sweet corn as well as the overall yield of corn plants, according to research by Dr. Sixte Ntamatungiro, researcher and assistant professor of soil science at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He evaluated the effect of potassium fertilizer… |
University of Arkansas |
08/21/09 |
| Weather Taking BLTs and Grilled Veggies Off Many Menus |
Record rainfall and high temperatures are forcing Lisa Ferris to take homegrown vegetables off the menu. “This was an optimistic gardening season at first, that has turned into frustration on a daily basis,” said Ferris, an extension instructor with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. She has a plot… |
University of Arkansas |
08/17/09 |
| Avoid Perfumes to Avoid Becoming Bug Bait |
Perfumes and cologne may attract more than the opposite sex, said Dr. Margaret Harris, assistant professor-health for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “If you’re looking to avoid insects this summer, scents are a no-no,” she said. “Make sure not to wear any heavily scented soaps, perfumes, hair care… |
University of Arkansas |
08/17/09 |
| Extra Rain Helping, Hurting Hay Growers |
Homeowners lamenting their wildly growing lawns and the lack of dry weather to cut them can empathize with the state’s hay growers. “Their hay crops are needing to be harvested and it just can’t get harvested,” said Don Plunkett, Jefferson County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas Division… |
University of Arkansas |
08/17/09 |
| Continuing Economic Challenges for Producers During National Catfish Month |
As the U.S. commemorates National Catfish Month, producers in Arkansas and across the country are grappling with high feed costs and a drop in sales. “The last two years have been especially difficult for the U.S. catfish industry, probably the most difficult years in its half a century history, and… |
University of Arkansas |
08/07/09 |
| Rain Accelerates Southern Rust in Corn; Growers Urged to Scout Fields |
Heavy rain over the last two weeks has accelerated Southern rust, and with about a third of the fields untreated, Arkansas’ corn growers were urged Thursday to scout fields for the disease. “Based on the number of calls that I’ve received this week, there are a large number of late-planted… |
University of Arkansas |
07/31/09 |
| Summer is Peak Time for Bagworm Reproduction |
Summer is the time when a common Arkansas pest, the bagworm, works to become more common, said Mark Keaton, Baxter County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Bagworm pupation occurs in late summer and within seven to 10 days, the adult emerges,” he said. “Males are… |
University of Arkansas |
07/31/09 |
| Seeing the Natural World Step by Step—Safely |
Hiking is a great way to take in the beauty of the Natural State while getting fit, but never set out without knowing the basics of staying safe. Before hitting the trails, it’s important to let someone know where you’ll be and when you’ll be back, as well as who’s… |
University of Arkansas |
07/28/09 |
| Arkansas Horse Owners Warned About Eastern Equine Encephalitis |
Arkansas horse owners are being warned to take steps against Eastern Equine Encephalitis, or EEE, a mosquito-spread disease that has claimed two horses in east Texas. EEE also has been reported this month in horses in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri and Virginia. The disease causes inflammation of the brain. “Humans also… |
University of Arkansas |
07/28/09 |
| Tougher Weeds Develop New Tricks |
Tougher weeds are making Ken Smith’s phone ring. “I had 50 phone calls the day before yesterday and resistance was the subject of eight of 10 of them,” Smith, an extension weed scientist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture said. Two of the toughest foes are Palmer amaranth,… |
University of Arkansas |
07/28/09 |
| Great Green Clover Ride Gives Yellow Jersey to 4-H |
4-Her’s from Garland County will be pedaling what they preach during the 197-mile Great Green Clover Ride to promote youth fitness and bicycle safety. The ride begins Friday, July 17, at Hot Springs and will end Monday, July 20, at Fayetteville, just in time for the biggest annual gathering of… |
University of Arkansas |
07/17/09 |
| Summer Swims a Serious Safety Issue |
For children, there’s nothing better than splash time at the lake or pool, but for parents, it should be serious business, according to Shannon Caldwell, 4-H camping coordinator for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control, more than 3,500 people drown each… |
University of Arkansas |
07/17/09 |
| Strong Storms Mixed Blessing for Arkansas Farmers |
Powerful thunderstorms that moved across the state were a mixed blessing, according to county extension agents for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Tuesday’s storms knocked power out to more than 7,600 customers, downed branches and produced large hail in some areas. The scene in Jefferson County was upbeat,… |
University of Arkansas |
07/16/09 |
| Poison Ivy: Keep Eyes Open for Summertime Menace |
If mosquitoes and buffalo gnats aren’t enough to get you itchy this summer, there’s always poison ivy. “Just the mere mentioning of this native plant usually gets people itching,” said Joshua Wright, Garland County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Wright also knows what happens when… |
University of Arkansas |
07/10/09 |
| Love the Sun? Learn to Love Sunscreen Too |
More than 1 million skin cancer cases are diagnosed each year, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, yet prevention is simple, according to Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “The sun’s UV rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,”… |
University of Arkansas |
07/06/09 |
| How to Enjoy Summer Without Being Bugged |
Kids itching for a good time outdoors this summer may get their wish courtesy of Arkansas’ chiggers, ticks and mosquitoes. To avoid the bites, kids should avoid wooded, brushy and grassy areas when possible, says Dr. Margaret Harris, extension health specialist and assistant professor with the University of Arkansas Division… |
University of Arkansas |
07/03/09 |
| Water: The Important But Forgotten Nutrient |
With temperatures nearing triple digits, don’t forget your water, says VeEtta Simmons, Crittenden County extension staff chair with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. “Water is one of those important nutrients for maintaining good health that we often forget to drink,” Simmons says. Water, which makes up to 75… |
University of Arkansas |
07/01/09 |
| Food Safety Rules When Grilling |
During warm summer months, picnic areas and campgrounds around the state fill with vacationers, grilling their favorite meats over open flames. As with all cooking, “If you keep your hands clean, cook meat to a proper temperature, and handle it properly, you decrease your risk of being infected from any… |
University of Arkansas |
06/29/09 |
| Understand Signs of Heat Stroke |
As children and young adults, we think we are invincible from the heat, sun and humidity. But, heat stroke can affect everyone from infants and the elderly to athletes and workers whose jobs are mostly outside. In Arkansas, where temperatures go from temperate to terrible in a day, knowing how… |
University of Arkansas |
06/29/09 |
| Beware of Dangers in the Yard |
Don’t assume that because your children are playing in the backyard that they are safe from injury, warns Robbie McKinnon, Pike County extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. She says backyard playground equipment and lawnmowers can pose dangers. “Playground equipment should be tested occasionally to ensure… |
University of Arkansas |
06/15/09 |
| Safety Courses Teach Fun, Safe ATV Responsibility |
Summertime is upon us and that means the increased use of all-terrain vehicles, or ATVs. Riding ATVs is an enjoyable recreational activity for many youths and adults, but safety should always be at the top of the summer fun list. Research shows ATV usage is on the rise, leading to… |
University of Arkansas |
06/12/09 |
| Blueberries Pack Nutritional Punch with Few Calories |
Native Americans revered blueberries, and, thankfully, they shared them with the pilgrims to help them make it through their first winter, or so legend says. The blossom end of each berry forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star; the elders of the tribe would tell of how the Great… |
University of Arkansas |
06/12/09 |
| Okra - a Southern Summer Treat |
Summer is a great time to enjoy the abundance of fresh and tasty produce. The vibrant colors liven up meals, and the appealing flavors and aromas tantalize taste buds. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber and other nutrients important for good health. People who eat more vegetables… |
University of Arkansas |
06/08/09 |
| If You Love Tomatoes, You’re Not Alone! |
Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown in Arkansas gardens, mainly because they’re easy to grow, nutritious and downright tasty! “A few tomato plants can provide adequate harvest for most families,” says Sherri Sanders, White County extension agent with the University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture. It’s not just Arkansas… |
University of Arkansas |
06/05/09 |
| Beware Springtime Damage from Lace Bugs |
In early spring, homeowners should inspect ornamental shrubs and trees for lace bugs, nasty little insects that can literally suck the life out of your precious plants. “Lace bugs attack a broad range of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs and often go undetected until infested plants show severe damage,”… |
University of Arkansas |
06/05/09 |
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