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Faulkner County Agriculture Update

August 30, 2024

Faulkner County Leaders Tour


Two weeks ago, we got a chance as an Extension Office to host a tour of our county programs for our Faulkner County Leaders. Members of the tour included the Faulkner County Judge, some of his staff, quorum court members, and our Extension Director Dr. John Anderson.


We were able to have our stakeholders talk to these leaders about the importance of Extension in their operations.


Thank you to all of the leaders that came on the tour and I want to send a thank you to all of the producers that met with these leaders even when this is a very busy time.

General Conditions

Weather


This week included hot temperatures with high humidity. Last week the best chances of rain were on Friday, but we haven't seen any just yet. I talked to a couple of producers today that said they got a quarter inch last night. Driving in this morning I noticed that the wind must have blown pretty good because there were several leaves and limbs down all around Conway.

This week includes much milder temperatures with rain chances all week. This wouldn't be a good week to harvest hay, but between showers maybe we can continue row crop harvest.

Arkansas and Mississippi River

The Arkansas River remains low but the main issue right now is how low the Mississippi River is. This adds to high basis on soybeans and corn at river ports which doesn't help on top of low price.

Drought Monitor
US Drought Monitor

Row Crop

Rice


Rice harvest continued this week. Producers are working hard to harvest rice and corn at the same time. There is so much to do and not enough time as they race the rain chances coming in this week.


There are still several late planted fields out there and we need to continue to scout the rice stink bugs in these fields.


I took heights on the Arkansas Rice Performance Trial plot this week. Dr. Hardke's crew will probably be in with in the next couple of weeks to get it harvested.


Below is the link for last Friday's Rice Update from Dr. Jarrod Hardke.

Arkansas Rice Update 8/23/24

Soybeans


I continue to pick up more velvetbean caterpillars than I do corn earworms. Defoliation is still at a minimum from velvetbeans, but I want everyone to continue to watch.


I saw a small uptick in green and brown stinkbug levels this week on some of the soybeans as they continue to mature. We are still below treatment levels, but keep an eye out on more mature beans.


Right now we need to really keep up with irrigations on soybeans. I know there is a tendency to say "oh there are rain chances this week, I'll wait on the rain". That is okay, but when we are talking about pivots you get behind really quickly. Especially since most of these beans went through a time when they had plenty of rain. The root systems aren't made for extended dry periods. Keep the irrigation going and let's fill these beans out for good yields!

Corn


More of the corn crop was harvested this week and we continue to hear really good yields. The corn hybrid trial has matured and we should be harvesting it this upcoming week. I will post the results next week after we get it harvested.

Corn Earworm Moth Traps


Earworm moth counts went down this week. We continue to see some worms in soybeans, but they are way below treatment level. We are below alert levels at this time, but continue to scout.

2024 County Trap Catches
Arkansas Crop Progress and Condition

Beef, Small Ruminants, & Forages

Armyworm Update


Armyworm reports continue to come in this week. Everyone is seeing another round of the worms and are trying to make management decisions on to treat or not.


If you need the hay, and need another harvest, I would definitely be treating. If you don't need the hay or forage, it is a no brainer, let them have it.


This has been one of the craziest armyworm years I have ever seen. Hopefully we won't see one like this for several more years.

Bahiagrass Stockpile Demonstration


I worked with Extension Forage Instructor Kenny Simon last week on a Bahiagrass Stockpile Demonstration in Enola. We cut Bahiagrass at 4 different heights and fertilized it with 2 different nitrogen rates to determine what is the sweet spot for the best yield on stockpiled forage.


We are also looking to add a winter annual demonstration on this same farm looking at different annuals and yield for this fall and spring.


Hay Verification Field


For the fifth year we have worked with Flying "C" Ranch to follow one of their hay fields to "verify" Extension Recommendations. We started this project in 2019 and this was the first field in the state that was a Hay Verification Field. Fast forward to 2024 and this project has taken off in the state and there were 12 of these fields all across the state. This project has led to a grant that will formally start the Arkansas Hay Verification Program which will hire a full time hay verification coordinator this year.


This year was one of our most successful years. We harvested the 3rd cutting this past week and I went in and took hay samples and weighed the bales. We are going to be right at 3.8 tons of forage this year. It was a great year, even though we battled armyworms all year long.

Cash Rents


I get questions all of the time about how much should a person charge for rent on pasture. Like most of questions I get, the answer is "it depends". So I always start with the Cash Rents survey that the USDA NASS statistical service does. This comes out every year and it is a good place to start. So for 2024 in Faulkner County the average pasture rent per acre is $16.50. Remember that this is the "average". If you have great grass, fences and water, then you can ask a little more. If your pasture is below average, then maybe you should ask a little less. I have added a link below on the full report. For the state, the average is $21.50.


Cash Rent Survey

FAMACHA Certification


There will be a free, hands-on training on the FAMACHA© system—an essential tool for sustainable control of gastrointestinal parasites in small ruminants. September 21 (Saturday), from 9:00am to 12:00pm, at the Heifer Ranch, 55 Heifer Rd, Perryville, AR.

Limited seats. Registration and more information at www.uada.edu/famacha

Cattle Market Notes Weekly
Livestock Market Report

The weekly livestock market report is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
ADA Livestock Market Report

Pesticide Applicator Training


After I posted these last week, I realized I had some conflicts. So I have modified the dates and times for the 2024 Pesticide applicator trainings.


Please call or email and register for the class. You can call and talk to Mindy Beard at the office at 501-329-8344 or email at rbeard@uada.edu


All of these will be held at the Faulkner County Extension Office at 844 Faulkner St, Conway.


September 26 - 4:00 PM

November 7 - 6:00 PM

December 6 - 2:00 PM


You can still take the training online if you would like. The link is below.

Online Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Sign up for Text Alerts


You can now sign up for text alerts from me throughout the year. I have two areas you can sign up for which includes Faulkner Livestock or Faulkner Ag (Row Crop Updates). To sign up you can follow one of these links or use the QR Codes below.

Faulkner Livestock


Use either the QR Code or this link:

https://slktxt.io/10lLe

Faulkner Ag (Faulkner Row Crops)


Use either the QR Code or this link:

https://slktxt.io/10lLc

Upcoming Events

Pesticide Applicator Trainings - Faulkner County Extension Office

September 26 - 4:00 PM

November 7 - 6:00 PM

December 6 - 2:00 PM

Contact Kevin Lawson, County Extension Agent–Agriculture, Faulkner County | Kevin Lawson
uaex.uada.edu/faulkner