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Corn College Offers Tours, Training for Arkansas Corn Producers

By Tracy Courage

Corn producers will have the opportunity to learn about the latest research and get hands-on training in weed control, insect and disease management, nutrient deficiency identification and more at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s inaugural Corn College on Aug. 7.

The training will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lon Mann Cotton Research Station at 3121 Highway 1 South, Marianna. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and tours and training start at 8:30 a.m.

“Unlike a regular field day, this is an opportunity for crop consultants, producers and industry professionals to see first-hand corn production programs and have in-depth discussions and hands-on training on issues facing Arkansas growers,” said Jason Kelley, extension corn agronomist for the Division of Agriculture.

Continuing education units will be available and lunch will be provided.

Registration is $100, and the deadline to register is Aug. 2.

No on-site registration will be offered. 

Attendees will tour the research station and receive hands-on training in:

  • weed control programs
  • insect and disease identification and management
  • irrigation management
  • nutrient deficient identification and management
  • agronomic considerations

Tour stops and topics covered include:

Weed Control  Discussion and showcase of weed control programs with a focus on yellow nutsedge and morning glory control.
Instructor: Tom Barber, extension weed specialist

Disease Management  Common corn disease identification, hybrid susceptibility to foliar diseases, disease management options, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Instructors: Terry Spurlock and Camila Nicolli, extension plant pathologists

Insect Management — Corn borer identification and management, corn earworm (Bt resistance and damage), stored grain insect management, late-season defoliation impacts.Instructors: Glenn Studebaker, Ben Thrash and Nick Bateman, extension entomologists

Irrigation Practices  Irrigation scheduling with Watermark sensors and the mobile app, telemetry for sensors, feel method, types of sensors for irrigation, sap flow, and irrigation initiation and termination for corn.Instructor: Chris Henry, irrigation specialist

Agronomics  Growth and development, corn DD50 program, short stature corn, pollination issues, use of drones for plant stand evaluation. 
Instructors: Jason Kelley, extension agronomist; Chuck Capps, corn verification coordinator; Jason Davis, remote sensing extension specialist

Fertility Programs — Corn response to potassium; identifying common nutrient deficiencies in corn including potassium and zinc; comprehensive corn nutrient management for optimal yields and profitability. Pre-tassel crop nitrogen status and fertilizer need assessment using drones.

Instructors: Gerson Drescher, Trent Roberts and Aurelie Poncet, soil and precision ag specialists

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

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system. 

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.  

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.  If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Joe McAlee at 870-523-7450 or jmcalee@uada.edu as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

Source : uada.edu

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Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

Video: Agriculture Secretary Rollins Speaks at American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim

One of the highlights at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, California, was an address by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. During her remarks, she thanked America’s farmers and ranchers and said the Trump Administration is fully aware that food security is national security.

She also acknowledged the challenging times in Farm Country with low commodity prices and high input costs and said that’s why the President stepped in to help with the recent Bridge Assistance Program.

Montana Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Scott Kulbeck says that Farm Bureau members are appreciative of the help and looks forward to working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and its presence in Washington, DC to keep farmers and ranchers in business.

Secretary Rollins said the Trump Administration is also committed to helping ranchers build back America’s cattle herd while also providing more high-quality U.S. beef at the meat case for consumers.

And she also announced more assistance for specialty crop producers who only received a fraction of the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA).

It’s important to note that producers who qualify for Farmer Bridge Assistance can expect the Farm Service Agency to start issuing payments in late February. For more information, farmers and ranchers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center.