Henry: Next 30 days critical for irrigators, crops and equipment

MAKING IT RAIN — Irrigation pivot running in Marvell, Arkansas, on July 17, 2022, as drought deepened in Arkansas. (U of A System Division of Agriculture photo by Mary Hightower)

By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture

STUTTGART, Ark. — If there’s one message Chris Henry has for Arkansas row crop farmers during the drought, it’s “don’t get in a hurry.”

Henry, professor and water management engineer for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has posted a handout with a variety of tactics aimed at helping farmers get the most crop they can with what irrigation is available. Additional information can be found in a fact sheet series on Arkansas crop irrigation.

“The next 30 days will be critical for many irrigators, as fatigues sets in, and many crops are still at or entering high water demand,” Henry said. “However, there are things that farmers can do to mitigate both the human and plant stress being experienced.”  

Arkansas has experienced a broken string of days with highs in the triple digits, with rain in short supply. The U.S. Drought monitor map of July 19 showed all of Arkansas experiencing some form of drought. The Climate Prediction Center’s extended outlook issued July 21 showed most of Arkansas with temperatures well above normal. However, the CPC’s precipitation outlook was more promising, with the northern two-thirds of the state possibly seeing above-average amounts.

Henry’s tactics include:

• Using a computerized hole selection program such as Pipe Planner, Rice Irrigation or PHAUCET to help plan water distribution across the field. Henry said use of these programs can reduce pump time by between 10 percent and 50 percent.

• Plan to be patient. Henry said water is drawn down from wells and reservoirs, pumps have to lift water further. “Expect to take longer to irrigate a set or flood up a field and adjust accordingly,” he said. “Some alluvial wells can drop off as much as 50 percent and it’s not uncommon for relifts to fall off 30 percent as we get to the bottom.”

• Soil sensors are still relevant. “It’s not too late to incorporate sensors into irrigation management,” Henry said. “Using sensors to determine the last irrigation of the season is the largest payback of monitoring soil moisture, it almost always saves at least one irrigation and allows for planning ahead of dwindling irrigation supplies.”

Even with one or two sets of sensors — for less than $500 — estimating the number of irrigations left can be done for the entire enterprise. “In a drought year like 2022, sensors can save both water and profitability,” Henry said.

• Irrigate deeply. Instead of flushing fields with limited water, try to fill the profile up when irrigating, Henry said. “This will encourage the roots to go deeper for water and reduce the number of sets for the season-saving on precious labor.”

• Check those pumps. Drought is prompting farmers to run their irrigation pumps beyond the typical 800 hours a year.

“For diesel power units, oil changes and greasing propeller shafts may seem obvious, but changing the oil in the gear head is often overlooked,” Henry said. He also urged farmers with electric motors to be sure to use both the correct lubrication and amount. “If the oil in the sight window is black or white, there is a high risk of bearing failure.”

The fact sheet provides additional guidance, tables and example calculations, on how to estimate crop demand and the amount and number of irrigations needed for reservoirs and wells as supplies draw down. 

“Heat stress and heat exhaustion awareness are real threats to safely sustaining irrigation, keep ample water to employees and yourself and don’t get in a hurry, it may take more time to do things safely,” Henry said.

 To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.

As drought lingers, trees require smarter approaches for watering

By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture

LITTLE ROCK — With Arkansas’ prolonged drought taking a toll on trees across the state, now is the time for homeowners to lend some extra attention to their trees that may be in distress.

DISTRESSED -- A young tree shows signs of drought distress. (Division of Agriculture photo/Krista Quinn)

“People have been calling about their trees losing leaves or starting to get their fall colors way too early, or the bark cracking,” said Krista Quinn, a certified arborist and an agricultural agent with the Cooperative Extension Service’s Faulkner County office, part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “These are all signs of drought distress.”

The prolonged lack of rain and high temperatures across Arkansas has depleted moisture from soil in many areas.

“The two best things we can do to minimize drought damage to trees is to water them and lightly mulch them,” Quinn said. “Watering and mulching trees now may not be enough to get them to produce new leaves or start growing again this season, but it can minimize damage and make them better able to withstand other environmental and pest pressures during the coming year.”

Older trees require hundreds of gallons of water over a week, but their root systems can tap into deeper water sources that younger trees cannot access. Younger trees, especially those in harsh urban conditions, need extra care.

“Turf grasses can usually recover,” Quinn said. “They will go dormant and turn brown. Some trees will also go dormant as a strategy for dealing with drought, so just because it’s defoliating doesn’t mean it’s dying, but it is stressed.”

Homeowners may face time or financial constraints when it comes to caring for their landscaping. Some municipalities may also request that homeowners reduce water use for irrigation like sprinklers and landscape watering to maintain the community water supply.

“For anyone who is trying to maintain their landscape through drought and heat and feel like they have to make decisions — I honestly think trees are the priority,” Quinn said. “They’re expensive to plant, and large trees are irreplaceable. The hot temperatures make us appreciate the shade from a tree even more.”

Tree Watering Tips

• Water under the entire tree canopy and not just at the trunk.

• For newly planted trees, water the area just outside the root zone to encourage roots to grow out away from the trunk into the native soil.

• Irrigate infrequently, but deeply. Watering once a week is usually sufficient as long as the top 4 to 6 inches of soil is wetted. Dig a small hole after watering to make sure the water has percolated through the soil.

• Watering trees in clay soils, compacted soils, or on slopes can be difficult since the water often starts to runoff before the top 4 to 6 inches of soil is wetted. Use a soaker or drip irrigation system to apply a low volume of water over a longer amount of time. Another option is to cycle the water flow on and off every 20 to 30 minutes. Water for 20 minutes, then let the water soak into the slope for 20 minutes, then water again for 20 minutes until the needed amount of water has soaked into the soil.

• Water in the evening or early morning to minimize evaporation.

• Use sprinklers, soaker hoses, watering bags, and buckets to water trees.

• Newly planted trees have a better chance of surviving if they are watered during dry spells for the first two years after planting.

Tree Mulching Tips

• Apply a 2- to 4-inch-deep layer of mulch over tree roots.

• Keep mulch material away from the tree trunk. The goal is to keep the tree roots moist and the trunk dry.

• Mulch as much of the area under the tree as possible, preferably to the outermost edge of the tree's canopy.

• Many different organic products can be used as mulch. Bark, shredded wood, grass clippings, straw, pine needles, and dried leaves are all good options.

• Mulch does not need to be reapplied every year.

• Having a mulch layer more than about 4 inches deep can harm trees.

To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website:  https://aaes.uada.edu/. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.

Fast Facts

• Young trees more susceptible to drought

• Signs of distress: wilting, losing leaves, leaf discoloration

• Watering, mulching can help trees in distress

Saline County 4-H club designs 3D-printed bird eggs for county fair exhibit

BIRDING — Members of the Saline County 4-H club, the Salem Superstars, use their binoculars to spot birds at the Little Rock Audubon Center. (Division of Agriculture photo by Lori Canada.)

By Rebekah Hall
U of A System Division of Agriculture 

Lori Canada, extension 4-H STEM program coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and the parent of a Salem Superstars club member, said the project is an important intersection of wildlife and technology programming. STEM is an acronym that stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

“As a STEM specialist, I see this as a great way to show kids that technology is in everything and anything,” Canada said. “It’s a good combination of learning about birds – the eggs they lay and the differences between those eggs – but also utilizing that knowledge through creating these 3D replicas.”

The Salem Superstars began the project by learning about bird species present in Arkansas, using binoculars to watch them in their habitats and studying images of their eggs. This included a field trip to the Arkansas Audubon Center in Little Rock. Canada then taught the students about 3D printing technology, demonstrating the printing method and showing students how to design their own eggs using a computer program.

Becky McPeake, the club’s leader and extension wildlife specialist for the Division of Agriculture, said the 4-H members have responded enthusiastically to the curriculum.

“They’ve been really excited about this project,” McPeake said. “We gave them a list of birds, and we asked them to select which birds they would like to study and learn about their eggs. As you might imagine, some of them really like the larger, predatory birds, and some of them were really enthused about birds they knew very little about and wanted to learn more.”

Kahlan Higgins, 12, current president of the Salem Superstars, said the project has made her more interested in learning about birds and other wildlife.

“My favorite part about learning about different bird species and their eggs is getting to learn what different eggs look like and how they are different from each other,” Higgins said. “Using the 3D printers has also been really fun. I have really enjoyed getting to see them printing different objects.”

After choosing their bird egg, the students designed them using the 3D modeling program Tinkercad. Canada described 3D printing as a “computerized hot glue gun.” The printers use a thermoplastic that melts when heated and is then extruded through a nozzle, layer by layer, to create a three-dimensional object. Canada helped the group members, who range in age from 5 to 12 years old, in designing their eggs.

She then downloaded their designs to another computer program, Cura, which breaks the designs down into individual layers and configures each design’s settings for the printer, including the heat temperature and the design of the infill of the egg. This determines whether the inside of the object is hollow or made of smaller hexagonal or triangular shapes, which keeps the object lighter and uses less filament per design.

“For the printer to know how to do the hot glue gun motion, it needs to basically slice the object into layers,” Canada said. “It’s like you’re slicing a cake, but vertically.”

Club members then use sanding tools to smooth their eggs down and then paint them to match those of their respective birds. Finally, the 4-H members will create an exhibit about their eggs and the 3D printing technology for the Saline County Fair in September.

Each student will get to make at least two eggs, and McPeake will include one of them in each of the wildlife kits she is compiling to distribute across the state. These kits are part of Canada’s plan to distribute science and technology equipment to county agents.

“We’re designing five kits that will be stationed in five locations that county agents can access and do outreach to 4-Hers and local schools,” McPeake said. “We hope that soon, anyone in the state who has an interest in wildlife curriculum could contact their county agent and coordinate educational outreach with those kits, or they could use them to train their 4-H leaders, who could then use the kits to teach kids about wildlife.”

McPeake said she hopes the kits will help get more kids involved with the 4-H wildlife program and excited about spending time outdoors.

“Kids today are so smart when it comes to technology, and they’re so engaged in technology,” she said. “We have found that kids are going outdoors less, and yet a lot of the research suggests that being outdoors brings so much value to their lives and to their mental health. This combination of technology and the outdoors is really a great one for this time and age.”

4-H is a youth development program operated by the Cooperative Extension Service. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The program teaches participants life skills through the “learn by doing” model. Program participants gain knowledge through non-formal, science-based, experiential education activities.

For more information about 4-H, contact your local county extension agent or visit https://4h.uada.edu/.

Fast Facts:

• 4-H members use 3D printing technology to design eggs of Arkansas birds

• Bird eggs will be used in wildlife curriculum kits for county agents throughout state

• Project will be exhibited at Saline County FairSALINE COUNTY, Ark. — The 4-H model of “learn by doing” encourages youth to acquire new skills through hands-on activities. The Salem Superstars 4-H club in Saline County is practicing this by combining technology and wildlife curriculum to create 3D-printed bird eggs, teaching participants about the innovative printing method and the Natural State’s bird population.

Periodic rainfall, saturated soils lead to planting delays for Arkansas growers

KUAR | By Tracy Courage / UA Division of Agriculture, Ryan McGeeney/ UA Divison of Agriculture

After a rainy April, spring planting in Arkansas is off to a slow start, with three of the state’s major crops lagging far behind their typical progress.

Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said it could be May 1 before some areas of the state are dry enough to resume planting — or even later, with additional rainfall in the forecast.

Without a little cooperation from Mother Nature, he said, 2022 could be the first year that the state’s rice acreage falls below 1 million acres in nearly 40 years.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2022-04-29/periodic-rainfall-saturated-soils-lead-to-planting-delays-for-arkansas-growers

Randy Chlapecka/University Of Arkansas Division Of Agriculture

Equipment standing in water after a rain deluge April 20, 2022, near Tuckerman, Arkansas.

Farmers face ‘less than zero’ good news in weed battle

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Arkansas farmers have been bracing for record high fertilizer costs in 2022 along with other higher input costs. Now, an old foe is predicted by agriculture scientists to be much worse this growing season than normal.

Tommy Butts, extension weed scientist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said there’s little good news for farmers as planting commences in the Natural State.

Farmers have been battling weeds since organized agriculture began thousands of years ago. Weeds deprive crops of water, nutrients and can limit sunlight from reaching plants, according to Science Daily. Weeds cause billions of dollars in lost profit each year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. It’s often the top problem faced by farmers.

https://talkbusiness.net/2022/04/farmers-face-less-than-zero-good-news-in-weed-battle/

Researchers find ways to better cool chickens and conserve water

by George Jared (gjared@talkbusiness.net)

Researchers at the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station continued decades of research in 2021 to fine tune a method of direct-cooling chickens with low-pressure sprinklers in tandem with traditional cool-cell pad systems and ventilation fans. The system creates a drier environment and conserves water.

“The 2021 trial aimed to determine the effect of sprinkler technology in combination with cool cell systems on achieving broiler performance during hot weather,” said Yi Liang, associate professor of biological and agricultural engineering and faculty with the Center of Excellence for Poultry Science within the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Chickens are big business in the Natural State. Arkansas ranks second in broiler production with 7.42 billion pounds produced with a value of $3.6 billion in 2019, according to the USDA. The broiler industry generated $28.3 billion in the U.S. during 2019.

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/12/researchers-find-ways-to-better-cool-chickens-and-conserve-water/

Estimate: Flood Damage To Arkansas Crops More Than $200 Million

By RYAN MCGEENEY/ UA DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE

Farmers in five counties in southeastern Arkansas suffered more than $200 million in direct losses to major crops after the major flooding and storm event in early June, according to a preliminary estimate by experts with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

John Anderson, economist with the Division of Agriculture and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, delivered the initial estimate during a flood recovery meeting held Monday evening at the Dumas Community Center. He was one of about a dozen experts with the Division of Agriculture presenting crop-specific information and answering questions from the approximately 175 in-person and virtual attendees.

The town of Dumas, and the nearby Division of Agriculture research station at Rohwer, are at the emotional — if not quite geographical — center of the flooding event, during which more than 19 inches of rainfall was recorded in a 48-hour period. The five counties included in the damage estimate include Desha, home to both Dumas and Rohwer, Lonoke, Prairie, Jefferson and Drew counties. The estimate did not include Chicot County, the southeasternmost county in the state, although it will likely be impacted as floodwaters continue to drain southward from Desha County on their way to the Mississippi River.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/estimate-flood-damage-arkansas-crops-more-200-million

Growers at a meeting Monday evening where officials estimated that flooding earlier this month in southeast Arkansas caused more than $200 million in damage to crops.

CREDIT UA DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE