Faulkner County Agriculture Update
November 6, 2020
General Conditions
Weather

We didn't get as cold as was predicted Monday morning. We got down to about 35 on average across the county. There was some frost in a few areas but for the most part it just didn't get down as low as was predicted. We stayed dry all week which allowed for planting and harvest to continue. We got up into the 70's during the day and for the most part it was a nice week weather wise. We have a few chances of rain this week with moderate temperatures.
Arkansas River
Pesticide Collection
The pesticide collection event was a big success. We collected 20,000 pounds of unused pesticides to be incinerated. Unused pesticides can be a problem, especially when they are in a container that you can't read the label anymore or that are in a different container. There will be another collection event this spring in Conway County if you missed this one.
Row Crop
Harvest

Thanks to the dry week we really moved harvest along. The only thing holding back harvest this week was breakdowns. We can definitely see the finish line!

Corn and rice is 100% and soybeans are 85% harvested.
Corn

There is some new information on our Variety Testing website for Corn and Grain Sorghum. Yield data from our 2020 testing program is now available. The complete report should be done soon, but if you want the latest yield information click the link below.
Beef & Forage
Brucellosis Vaccinations

It is time for our fall brucellosis vaccination schedule. The dates for the fall schedule is November 18 & 20. It is highly recommended that if you are keeping heifers that you get them vaccinated for brucellosis. This is a free service from Arkansas Livestock and Poultry. Heifers need to be between 4 to 12 months of age.
Mr. Ebert McClure, from the Livestock and Poultry Commission will be giving the vaccinations. Adequate handling facilities and personnel are necessary. You, or someone to represent you, must be present to help the technician.

It is necessary that your heifers be up, separated and ready for the technician to administer the vaccine. Please remember to have these heifers either weaned or being weaned. The vaccine is a modified live virus and exposure to bred cows could cause abortion. 

If you want to be added to the schedule either call the Extension office at 501-329-8344 or email Mindy Beard at rbeard@uaex.edu by Thursday November 12.

We will need the following information:
  • Name
  • Address
  • Address of where the cattle will be
  • Phone Number
  • Number of Head
Winter Forages

More ryegrass went in this week. I looked at a few fields of ryegrass that went through the dry spell and I won't lie it looked rough. I am hoping after this last rain that we will get some of that ryegrass that was planted in dry conditions to germinate.
Hay and Pasture Update

The Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council Fall Forage Conference will be virtual this year. There is a great lineup this year. Some of the information that will be presented on costs of growing hay is data that was collected here in Faulkner County. It should be a great conference! You can either scan the code below to register or just go to this website: https://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/animals-forages/pastures/
NRCS Virtual Pasture Trainings

The NRCS is hosting some virtual pasture trainings over the next few days. Anyone that is interested in these events can contact NRCS for links to join or contact me and I can email you the flyer below with the links attached.
Livestock Market Report

The weekly livestock market report is available on the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website.
Pesticide Applicator Training
There is a PAT training scheduled for November 19, 2020 at 2:30 at the community room of the Greenbrier Events Center located at 5 Lois Lane in Greenbrier.

This training is limited to 20 people. If you want to attend these trainings you MUST pre-register. I will only take the first 20 people.

To register you can call the office at 501-329-8344 or email my administrative assistant Mindy Beard at rbeard@uaex.edu.

Participants must wear a mask into the room, but once seated you may take off the mask. If you decide to get up and leave you will have to put your mask back on. This is a requirement to be able to hold this meeting.

The training will cost $20. If you bring a check please make it out to Faulkner County Extension Office.

The online course is still an option also. If you want to use the online options, the link is below. 
Upcoming Events
Pesticide Applicator Training - November 19 at 2:30 pm at the Greenbrier Events Center, 5 Lois Lane Greenbrier. Open to the first 20 participants that register. To register call 501-329-8344 or email Mindy Beard at rbeard@uaex.edu.

AFGC Fall Forage Conference - November 10 at 6:30.
Contact Kevin Lawson, County Extension Agent–Staff Chair, Faulkner County | www.uaex.edu/faulkner