UPDATED! Farmers' market producers invited to pest management workshops

CORRECTION: A news release dated May 4 listed the wrong date for the workshop in Conway. The correct date is June 10.

Workshops on environmentally responsible and effective pest management for farmers' market producers and other small acreage farmers will be held at three locations in May and June.

The workshops will be held in Monticello May 18, in Conway June 10 and in Fayetteville June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at each location. The workshops are sponsored by the University of Arkansas System’s Division of Agriculture and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, based in Poteau, Okla.

Elena Garcia, extension horticulture specialist with the Division of Agriculture, said the workshops are free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Contact Carolyn Lewis, 479-264-0905, calewis@uark.edu, to register.

The location and workshop materials will be provided to those who register. Lunch and educational materials are provided by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Whether you use organic or conventional practices, this workshop can help you evaluate your pest management program,” Garcia said. The workshops will include classroom presentations and hands-on sessions in the field, she said.

UPDATED! Polk County Master Gardener Plant Sale

This is an update on the Polk County Master Gardener Plant Sale that was previously rescheduled due to the tornado and damage it caused to the community.

Polk County Master Gardener Plant Sale - NEW LOCATION

Polk County Fairground Livestock

The Polk County Master Gardeners Plant sale has been postponed until Saturday, May 16, at the Polk County Fairground Livestock barn in Mena, AR.

Private Pesticide Applicator Training

A private pesticide applicators training will be held in Texarkana at the Miller County Courthouse, Suite 215, Thursday, May 14, 2009, at 1:00 p.m.

For more information contact the Miller County Cooperative Extension Service Office either by email or call 870-779-3609.

Welfare and abandonment issues surround horse ownership

Abandoned horses have been turning up in sale barns, cattle pastures and state and federal lands across Arkansas and the country, says Steve Jones, associate professor/extension equine specialist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

"The abandonment issue affects a number of entities, including land owners, business owners, humane societies and rescue groups and law enforcement," Jones said. "Livestock auction operators are locking facilities at night to discourage people from leaving horses at their facilities."

Buddy Smith, assistant manager of Lewis Livestock Market at Conway, said abandonment "is a reality. It has happened at livestock markets in Oklahoma and other states."

More horses than normal are ending up at local humane societies and horse rescue farms, putting stress on the resources of these facilities, according to Jones.

Some cattle producers have also being affected.

"One Arkansas cattle producer told me he went to check on his cows, and there were two horses in the pasture with his cows. I've heard several stories like that," Jones said.

Kay Simpson, director of the Humane Society of Pulaski County, thinks neglect is a bigger problem than abandonment.

"We've prosecuted several people in the last year for not doing what they're supposed to do to take care of their horses," Simpson said.

In the last year or so, issues related to horse welfare, such as nutrition, health and foot care have become a concern, Jones noted. Many people have less disposable income because of the economy, so they skimp on feed. "We wind up with neglected horses. Incidents appear to be higher than normal."

Several factors hit all at once to cause horse neglect and abandonment, according to Jones.

One factor is the close of all slaughter plants in the United States. The plants are now in Canada and Mexico. It's cost prohibitive to transport horses out of country. "Other issues are the unprecedented rise in feed prices last year and people losing their job," he said.

Smith said the slaughter issue means that many horses have no value.

"We can't sell them. There's no bidder. We don't have a propped up market price because there are no slaughter houses anymore," he explained.

Jones said owning a horse offers the owner with recreational, driving and draft riding opportunities. Arkansas has about 170,000 horses, many of them for recreation.

When you own a horse, he said, if you're buying feed and doing required health care, you'll spend $1,000 to $1,500 a year on its needs. "All of a sudden, the recreation horse becomes a drain on family income and a luxury they can't afford, he said.

Demand for horses has gone away, Jones noted. If a person can afford it, now is the time to buy, because it's a buyer's market.

"The cheapest part of owning a horse is the purchase price," the horse specialist said. "Many people don't plan for long term expense of owning a horse. Feed, hay and health care is constant for 20 to 25 years, the useful lifespan of horses."

One solution, he said, is to reduce the horse numbers.

"A number of stallion owners have told me they're breeding fewer mares for customers. Fewer owners are bringing their mares to them for breeding."

Every horse owner should consider reducing the number of foals born.

"Unfortunately, I'm seeing farms that are breeding horses indiscriminately. They need to reduce their output. Breed your elite mares and stallions that have potential value," he said.

Jones explains there is still a demand for horses, but the market is for horses that have a job or purpose, such as trained horses ready to ride, race or drive.

If a horse owner has pasture with good hay quality, they can eliminate feed. Horses can thrive on hay and pasture, if the hay and pasture meet nutritional requirements.

"Your county extension agent can take a hay or forage sample, and the university can provide an analysis," Jones said.

For more information, contact your county extension agent or visit our web site and select Agriculture, then Horses. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Farmers' market producers invited to pest management workshops

Workshops on environmentally responsible and effective pest management for farmers' market producers and other small acreage farmers will be held at three locations in May and June.

The workshops will be held in Monticello May 18, in Conway June 22 and in Fayetteville June 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at each location. The workshops are sponsored by the University of Arkansas System's Division of Agriculture and the Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, based in Poteau, Okla.

Dr. Elena Garcia, extension horticulture specialist with the Division of Agriculture, said the workshops are free, but space is limited, and advance registration is required. Contact Carolyn Lewis by email or telephone at 479-264-0905 to register.

The location and workshop materials will be provided to those who register. Lunch and educational materials are provided by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"Whether you use organic or conventional practices, this workshop can help you evaluate your pest management program," Garcia said. The workshops will include classroom presentations and hands-on sessions in the field, she said.

Tips to make your mowing job more productive

At first glance, mowing a lawn doesn't look like a difficult job requiring much thought. We're just cutting grass - right?

"But lawn mowing done properly goes several steps farther than just firing up a lawn mower and cutting grass," says Gerald Alexander, Hempstead county extension agent with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Mowing is a destructive practice to the plant because it removes a portion of leaf tissue that could be used to provide energy for the plant, he says. When leaf tissue is lost, the plant responds by redirecting energy from storage in the roots to producing more leaf tissue. If a lawn is cut too low, the plant has a more difficult time recovering because it lacks adequate leaf area to help it use soil nutrients efficiently.

Whenever mowing is necessary, never remove more than one-third of the leaf blade in a single mowing. For example, if you want your turfgrass to maintain a height of 3 inches, mow when the turfgrass stands 4.5 inches tall. This will normally translate into a once-weekly mowing pattern under ideal growing conditions, according to Alexander.

Mowing high is preferable to mowing low because overall plant health increases and weed competition decreases. The type of turfgrass in your lawn will determine how high your lawn should be mown.

The suggested mowing heights for common lawngrasses are: Centipede – 1.5 to 2 inches; St. Augustine grass – 2.5 to 4 inches; Zoysia grass – three-quarters of an inch to 2.5 inches; common Bermuda – 1.5 to 2.5 inches.

Alexander says he frequently hears questions concerning grass clippings left on the lawn.

It used to be thought that grass clippings contributed to thatch buildup. However, research has shown that grass clippings don't contribute to thatch buildup. Clippings are actually good for the soil because they return nutrients to the soil when they decompose.

"As long as you don't allow your lawngrass to become excessively high between mowings, you don't need to bag them. Clippings are often bagged because people fear the spread of lawn diseases through the return of lawn clippings. The spores that cause lawn disease are present whether clippings are returned or bagged," says Alexander.

Lawns are best mown when the turf is dry. The clippings are more evenly distributed on a dry lawn than a wet lawn. Wet mowing wet causes the clippings to clump and clog the mower. These clumps will then need to be picked up to prevent smothering the turfgrass beneath. Wet mowing also opens the door for disease organisms to enter the plant. Slipping and tearing turfgrasses are other reasons not to mow under wet conditions.

When lawn mowers are operating, he says, always pay close attention to safety. A mower blade can pick up an object from the ground and throw it with a velocity strong enough to damage cars, houses and inflict serious harm to humans and animals.

Additional information on lawn mowing can be found in the publications section of our web site, or at your county extension service office. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Plant Health Clinic Newsletter #9 May 1, 2009

The weekly Plant Health Clinic Newsletter is available here.

Inside this edition you will find information about Aphid Damage to Iris, Glyphosate Injury on Tomatoes, Anthracnose on Ash, Maple, and Sycamore, and Patch diseases of turf.

As always you can get more help with diseased plants from your local county extension office.

Plant of the Week: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

Shade gardens present an opportunity to grow a wide variety of plants native to the forested woodlands of eastern North America. One of my favorites is goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), a plant more commonly thought of as a medicinal herb than a garden ornamental.

Goldenseal is an herbaceous plant that rises from the ground each spring from a tight clump of yellow rhizomes. It reaches about a foot tall when fully grown. A single forked stem arises from the terminus of each rhizome and produces a pair of celery-green leaves in early spring. The pubescent leaves are displayed flat on top with five prominent lobes and can be as much as 10 inches across.

In mid-spring an inch-wide white apetalous flower consisting of a dense cluster of stamens appears at the fork between the two leaves. Following the flower in July is a ball-shaped red berry about 1.5 inches across. Goldenseal belongs to the buttercup family and is monotypic, with only one closely related species occurring in Japan.

Goldenseal has long been used in herbal medicine. Native Americans – including the Cherokees – used the root as a treatment for cancer and to treat localized lesions. Modern medicine has identified the drug berberine (and several others) in the root extract. Berberine, which is produced by several other plant species, has been shown to have antibiotic properties.

Though traditional medicine feels there is little scientific evidence to support its use as an herbal remedy, modern herbalists disagree. It's the sixth most common drug used in herbal preparations.

Plants for drug extraction have been collected from the wild in its native range – primarily high ground from southeastern Canada and through most of the eastern woodlands – for more than two centuries. Because of over-collection, it is becoming rare in the wild and has been listed as threatened or endangered in some states. Fortunately, the herb is easy to grow, and commercial plantings are now common throughout its native range and in the Pacific Northwest. Plants large enough to dig are produced in five to six years from rhizome divisions, while it takes six to seven years for plants grown from seed.

In the garden, goldenseal is easy to grow in any moderately moist and well-drained soil supplemented with an abundant supply of organic matter. It mixes well with other woodlanders, such as Solomon seal, bloodroot, mayapple and trilliums. Plant it in patches along the woodland path or in clusters, where the bold leaf display can be enjoyed.

For more information about horticulture or to see other Plant of the Week columns, visit the Cooperative Extension Service Web site, or contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Bus tour, pest clinic to highlight horticulture field day

Gardeners and fruit producers can learn the latest production techniques and the latest research into pest issues at the 2009 Horticulture Field Day on June 18 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center at Hope.

The event is aimed at gardeners and fruit producers, whose numbers in southwest Arkansas are growing, according to Dr. Vic Ford, center director.

"A highlight of the field day will be a bus tour of the center's horticultural research into blueberries, blackberries and peaches," Ford said. "But we'll also discuss ornamentals, tomatoes and other vegetables."

Extension and research personnel will discuss several topics, including these:

• Common Arkansas weed identification and management
  


• Landscape shrub pruning
  


• Update on blackberry and peach breeding
  


• New-planted blueberry maintenance
  


• How to set an insect trap and identify insect damage
  


• How to build a compost pile
  


• Grow hardy kiwi and blackberries in high tunnel growing systems
  

Gardeners and producers may find the pest clinic after the tour will be the most interesting part of the field day, Ford said. Gardeners are urged to bring specimens from their home gardens or lawns for diagnosis and suggestions for correcting the problem.

At 6:30 p.m., a barbecue dinner will be served for an $8 charge. Participants can pay the day of the event. Ford is asking people to RSVP by June 12. You can call (870) 777-9702 or contact us by email.

For directions to the station and more about our ongoing research visit our web site.

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

This activity is open to all interested persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information should notify the county extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible prior to the activity.

Model cattle farm demonstrates ‘300 Days of Grazing’ system

A model cattle farm at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's Livestock and Forestry Research Station near Batesville demonstrates how producers can manage pastures to reduce the feeding of hay.

The model farm project, called "300 Days of Grazing," was the topic of an April 21 field day at the research station. It demonstrates practices that can increase profitability, said Keith Lusby, head of the division's animal science department. The department conducts research and extension programs and the academic program for the animal science major in Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences on the Fayetteville campus.

"Producers are welcome to stop by any time to see what we are doing on the model farm," said Don Hubbell, director of the division's research station at Batesville.

The average Arkansas producer, with 35 to 37 cows, feeds hay most of the winter and at other times when pastures do not provide enough grass. Heavy use of hay and other feed supplements makes forage management less critical, Professor John Jennings, an extension animal scientist, said at the field day. But it may cut into profits, he added.

The model farm is a demonstration of practices to manage pastures and the herd so that the cattle can graze for at least 300 days a year. The system reduces expenditures for cutting, storing and feeding hay. It includes the practice of stockpiling hay as dormant grass standing in the pasture.

"Why 300 days?" a producer asked Jennings. He replied that feeding hay can be virtually eliminated. However, he added, "Most people don't believe you can go 365 days without feeding hay, but you can convince them they can go 300."

The model farm was started in July 2008 with 38 cows on 140 acres of fescue and bermudagrass pastures.

"These practices will work with any size farm," Hubbell said. "It is intensive management, but most of it can be done in about one to one-and-a-half hours a day."

Many producers have contacted him about the model farm, Hubbell said, and the field day crowd of about 100 persons was more than the usual turnout.

With three months remaining in the first year, the model farm was on target to return a small profit from its first crop of 33 calves, said Professor Tom Troxel, extension animal scientist. Future years should be more profitable since some startup expenditures will not be repeated, he said.

The model farm focuses on forage management, but herd management is also important, Troxel said. Basic practices are employed to try to achieve a 90 percent calving rate and a 550-pound weaning weight.

Calving in the model farm herd occurs in September and October. Short breeding and calving seasons are needed to assure proper use of forages to match the nutritional needs of pregnant cows or cow with calves, Troxel said. Forage analysis determines the proper type and amounts of supplemental feed to assure a high calving rate and calf weight gain, he said.

Jennings said a key forage factor is to have a mix of cool and warm season grasses and legumes to match the local seasonal weather pattern. A system of moveable electric fencing is used to frequently rotate cattle among paddocks to prevent damaging the pastures by overgrazing.

Jennings described herd and forage management practices for each season and how to transition from one period to the next.

"Grazing 300 days a year doesn't require a long list of forages," Jennings says. "You can do it with fescue and bermuda by rotational grazing, managing fertilizer timing and stockpiling." Adding legumes and annual grasses will increase the chances for success, he said.

Information about 300 Days of Grazing and other projects is available on the Livestock and Forestry Research Station's Web site. Results from each project year ending June 30 will be published, Hubbell said.

Anthracnose affecting shade trees statewide

Recent cool temperatures and frequent rainfall have created ideal conditions for anthracnose plant disease on several common shade trees, says Dr. Steve Vann, assistant professor/extension urban plant pathologist with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

"Anthracnose of our shade trees may be caused by several fungal organisms that usually cause a variety of leaf spots and twig lesions," says Vann. Maple, sycamore, dogwood and ash trees are especially susceptible. Trees usually react to the disease by dropping infected leaves, much to the dismay of many homeowners.

Maple anthracnose produces dark brown to black greasy-colored spots on the leaves. These spots are usually block-shaped and may have a yellow area, or halo, surrounding the spot. "Numerous spots may grow together and give the leaf a tattered look," says Vann. "These spotted leaves readily fall to the ground."

Sycamore anthracnose is caused by a similar fungus that causes premature leaf drop and may kill young twig tips. Diseased twigs may resemble frost injury, says Vann. These young, newly expanded leaves will often die and droop on the twigs, which may also die and remain on the tree. "On older sycamore trees, the fungus tends to kill leaf tissues alongside the major veins of the leaf blade, giving it a 'netted' look," he says.

Both fungal organisms produce microscopic seeds called spores. These may be carried on wind currents or splashing water droplets to other leaves and twigs, especially if there is an extended rainy period in the spring. Anthracnose fungi typically over-winter on infected twigs and leaves. Dead leaves that don't fall from the tree during the fall and winter seasons can serve as sources of infection the following spring.

"As drier weather returns, infections begin to diminish and trees will often put on a crop of new leaves," says Vann.

Maple and sycamore anthracnose are usually a minor concern for homeowners since occurrences of the disease are generally sporadic, he says. However, if the diseases occur for several successive growing seasons, the tree's health may be compromised.

If a homeowner wishes to have a "specimen" tree in the landscape, it may be necessary to spray with an appropriate protectant-type fungicide in the spring, just before buds break, says Vann. Multiple applications may be required during the growing season to keep the tree disease-free, so complete coverage and the timing of applications are crucial to its effectiveness.

"Waiting until after leaf emergence is usually too late to protect the leaves during the season," says Vann.

A stressed tree is often more susceptible to disease. Trees should be watered and fertilized properly based on a recent university soil test to encourage vigorous growth.

Spraying taller trees may not be practical or feasible for homeowners, thus a professional applicator should be consulted in these cases. Always read and follow the label directions for fungicides when considering their use.

Promoting good plant growth is an integral part of disease management, but a misdiagnosis can still be deadly for any homeowner's shade tree. "Correct disease identification is the single most important first step in designing an effective plant disease control program," says Vann.

For more information on anthracnose diseases found in trees and ornamentals, contact your county extension office or visit our Cooperative Extension Service web site. The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Arkansas Urban Forestry Council's Annual Conference

The Arkansas Urban Forestry Council's 18th Annual Conference titled "Weathering the Storm - Challenges to Forests Inside and Out" will be held May 12-14, 2009 in Little Rock.

Conference locations will include the Little Rock Hilton Metro Center and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium in Little Rock.

Make your hotel reservations now for the AUFC conference rate by contacting 800-445-8667.

For more information on the conference call 800-958-5865 or 501-625-3710 or visit their website www.arkansastrees.org. More information may also be obtained by emailing info@arkansastrees.org.

Plant of the Week: Wild Gingers (Asarum canadense)

In my shade garden grow several wild gingers, members of the genus Asarum. Over the years, most have spread happily, wheedling their way into nooks and crannies around the garden and into my affection as well. Based on the amount of scientific ink that has been spilled on this group of lowly plants, I'm not the only one who has found them intriguing.

Asarums are temperate groundcovers of the northern hemisphere and occurs widely in North America, Europe and Asia. They belong to the small tropical birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae) that's best known for its unusual "Dutchman's pipe" flowers. The Asarums apparently originated in Asia but had spread across the ancient landmasses before the continents went their separate ways.

The most common and prolific of my wild gingers is Asarum canadense. It's a 6-inch tall creeping groundcover that spreads by means of fleshy, pinkie sized rhizomes, eventually forming colonies several feet across. It produces heart-shaped, deciduous 4-inch wide leaves that appear in early spring and persist until the first hard freezes of fall.

Asarum flowers appear in early spring with the new leaves, but they're easily overlooked because they emerge buried beneath leaves and other debris of the forest floor. They're borne singly at the end of a rhizome and are ½-inch long and wide, fuzzy, brown in color with three reflexed sepals. Though interesting, they're not all that showy.

But amongst botanists, the flowers have caused lots of controversy. Structurally, the flowers are arranged in such a way that it's obvious there should be something out there cross-pollinating them. Everything from slugs to fungus gnats have been proposed, but current research indicates most species are self-fruitful, only rarely being cross-pollinated.

When successfully pollinated, the flowers produce seeds which have a nutritious oily coating called an 'elaiosome' which ants find irresistible. The ants carry the seeds back to their nests, enjoy their feast and discard the seeds where they come up willy-nilly in the garden.

Botanists have had difficulty defining the limits of the wild ginger genus. The splitters consider only 20 or so species to belong to the genus Asarum, relegating the other 60 species to three separate, closely related genera. The lumpers though seem to be winning the day and modern classification schemes recombine the groups as separate subgenera within the Asarum genus.

Wild gingers have a long list of ethnobotanical uses, not the least of which is as a substitute for the tropical ginger root. Wild ginger has a similar taste to tropical ginger but is only about one third as strong. In addition to its culinary use, it was also used as a part of the Native American pharmacopoeia, treating everything from infections to various kinds of internal ailments. Meriwether Lewis, probably under the instruction of Sacagawea, pounded the roots and leaves of wild ginger to form a poultice which they applied to Joe Potts' swollen and inflamed leg which he cut with a knife in Idaho's Bitterroot Mountains. He quickly recovered.

But in 2001, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning against using wild ginger in cookery or as an herbal remedy due to the presence of aristolochic acid, a substance known to cause kidney failure and possibly cancer.

Wild gingers do well in moist, fertile woodland soils where they can grow undisturbed. Most are hardy from zones 4 to 8. They're ideal for use along walkways, in woodland rock gardens or as a groundcover. Once established, they're tough, thrive without special care and persist for many years. Clumps can be divided in early spring.

In Japan, wild gingers are collected by enthusiasts for their colorful mottled foliage and unusual but showy flowers. One nursery is offering more than 30 cultivars of these unusual gingers for hobbyists who're looking for a pot plant that's easier to grow than an orchid and can be left outside over winter.

For more information about horticulture or to see other "Plant of the Week" columns, visit extension's Web site, or contact your county extension agent. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

Alternative Crops and Diversification Keys to Farm Profits

Farmers can combat the tightening farm profit squeeze brought on by the current unstable global economy through diversification with alternative crops, says Dr. Obadiah Njue, Extension horticulture specialist with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Cooperative Extension Program.

Just as diversification seems to be the key to softening economic losses in other sectors, diversifying farm enterprises can soften the impact of economic risk, offset commodity price swings, exploit profitable niche markets, improve local economy and strengthen rural communities, says Dr. Njue.

Consumer concerns with food safety strengthens the interest in locally grown produce. Alternative crops are also environmentally friendly as they break up insect pests, weed and disease cycles; supplement soil nutrients; improve soil structure; conserve soil moisture and curb soil erosion.

But, unlike conventional grain producers who use a relatively straightforward route of taking a harvested crop to the local grain elevator, alternative crop growers cannot expect a convenient marketing outlet. Instead, Dr. Njue advises they do the following:

• Research the market before planting.
  
• Understand the cultural practices of the crops selected.
  
• Develop a marketing plan with information on prices, delivery points and sales contacts.
  
• Establish relationships with potential buyers and understand their guidelines.
  
• Understand the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP).
  
• Understand Food Safety Guidelines.
  

Consider alternative crops that will be a good fit for your farm in terms of soil type, climate, labor, marketing skills and proximity to markets. Remember, diversity is the key to success of a small farm, says Dr. Njue. Grow for a diverse market and grow crops whose sales complement each other, especially when targeting local markets. Local markets include farmers' markets, farm stands and pick-your-own operations.

Alternative crops include blackberries, muscadines, persimmons, blueberries, strawberries, melon, tomatoes, peas, sweet potatoes and all types of organically grown vegetables. Other popular alternative crops are all kinds of peppers – purple, red, orange and hot; cole crops such as collards, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts; salad greens; and herbs.

Just as small farm diversification can be helped by embracing technology, changes in consumer demand, government policy and development of irrigation, roads and other infrastructure, it can also be hindered by risks in markets and prices, crop management practices and natural phenomena, says Dr. Njue.

Arkansas Cattle Grower's Conference Announced

Beef cattle producers will learn the latest production techniques to increase profits at the Arkansas Cattle Grower's Conference March 17.

The meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. with registration, is hosted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. A special thanks goes to Farm Credit Services of Western Arkansas as one of the conference sponsors.

The morning session begins at 10:30 a.m. with a tour that includes three stops: 1) byproducts barn and feedlot facilities, 2) ultrasounding cattle, and 3) pasture research.

In the afternoon, extension and other cattle industry beef and forage production specialists will discuss forage management for calves, calf management and carcass quality, and a market outlook for 2009. The program will conclude with a calf post-mortem examination demonstration starting at 3:30 p.m.

The meeting will be at the Southwest Research and Extension Center Byproducts Barn in Hope. Cost for the program is $20, which includes proceedings, snacks and lunch. For more information, contact the Ouachita County extension office at (870) 231-1160.

The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A Division of Agriculture.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its program to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should notify the hosting county Extension office (870.246.2281) as soon as possible prior to the activity.

Shopping Around Saves Money Come Tax Time

Tax season is here, along with the forehead-rubbing and hair-pulling frustration that comes with it. Consumers faced with myriad tax preparation options can save money with careful decision-making, says VeEtta Simmons, Crittenden County extension staff chair with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Comparing rules and fees is the first place to start. Each tax preparation service charges a different amount, says Simmons. Consumers should check several places before selecting one. As it is in many cases, shopping around can save money.

It's also possible to avoid additional fees such as one for a refund anticipation loan, or RAL. "It's tempting to have the money in hand as soon as possible, but the fees charged for RALs often range from 50 to 500 percent of the amount of your loan," says Simmons. Other additional fees can be tacked on as well. Avoid using RALs if possible.

Another option is to file taxes electronically. "Some tax preparers may charge a fee to submit your tax forms electronically, but it's usually much less than the fees for a RAL," says Simmons. Be sure to ask the tax preparer about the cost.

Those who file electronically can get their refund in as little as 10 days.

In some cases, people may want to skip the cost of tax preparing companies and complete their own forms. Tax forms can be found online at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Web site. Forms and instructions are available at most libraries, too. It may take a few extra mouse clicks, but there's no service charge.

The IRS offers another option called Free File. This supports preparation of federal tax returns and no-cost electronic filing. Free File is usable by people with an adjusted gross income of $56,000 or less as of 2008. "The software has simple questions and automatically puts your answers on the right forms," says Simmons. More information on Free File is available on the IRS main Web site.

A list of other free tax preparation services follows below:

• VITA − Many people qualify for free tax preparation. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, offers free tax preparation. VITA is available for people who make around $42,000 or less. Electronic filing is usually available. VITA sites near you may be located by calling 1-800-829-1040.
  
• TCE and AARP − People aged 60 and older can find free tax assistance through Tax Counseling for the Elderly, or TCE. Trained volunteers provide tax counseling and basic tax preparation. AARP offers a free TAX-Aide program. Call 1-800-829-1040 for TCE information. For AARP Tax-Aide, call 1-888-227-7669.
  
• AFTC − The Armed Forces Tax Council, AFTC, oversees free tax assistance programs for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Military members and their families can receive free tax preparation assistance. Electronic filing is usually available. Tax preparation sites are usually set up within military installations, so contact them for more information.
  

These options can help reduce the stress of tax time and help consumers make wise, money-saving choices. This keeps money in consumers' pockets when they need it most.

For more information on tax preparation and assistance, talk with your county Extension agent or visit the Cooperative Extension Service web site. The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Equine Reproduction Seminar

The University of Arkanas, Department of Animal Sciences will hold an Equine Reproduction Seminar on the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville Campus.

The seminar will be held Saturday, Sunday and Monday, March 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2009.8:00 - 5:00, at the Pauline Whitaker Arena, Fayetteville, AR $425 per person; $50 discount if payment is received 15 or more days prior.

Three-Day Course Approved for Vet. and Vet. Tech. CE Credits (24 hours)

Here you can enroll in the seminar, and for more information visit the Equine Newsline blog.

Examples of Topics Covered:
Targeting ovulation using Progesterone and Estradiol; Manipulating the estrous cycle using natural methods, as well as pharmaceuticals;

Methods of semen collection from stallions, including equipment that is available; demonstration of collecting a stallion, where facilities allow;

Transported, cooled and frozen semen from both the mare owner's and the stallion owner's perspective; methods available for processing;

Troubleshooting problems that may arise as well as methods for improving conception rates;
Management of the mare and stallion for optimum success;

Latest advances and progress in equine reproductive technology.