Columbia County Extensions - UADA

Just a reminder today is thelast Day to register to vote to be able to cast a ballot in November.

Let our office know if you want on the list by Friday.

We need your help. This year Columbia County 4-H is packing 12 shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Our goal is to pack a boy and girl shoe box for each age group. You can bring your items by the Extension office at any time or have them shipped to 206 West Calhoun Magnolia, AR 71753. Please try to have them in the office by end of the day November 5, so our teen leaders can pack them at their November meeting.

🌾 Forage Friday 🌾
Some grasses can handle heavy grazing, but this native isn’t one of them. With the right management, though, it can be a powerhouse in Arkansas pastures.

📸 This week’s feature:
👉 Big Bluestem
🔍 Big bluestem is a warm-season perennial grass that cannot tolerate close grazing
📍 Found throughout the entire state of Arkansas
💬 For more information, check out the fact sheet:https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/fsa-2139.pdf

🌱 When managed right, Big Bluestem can stand tall in your forage program. Have you worked with it before?

This is great opportunity to learn how to rehab your pastures this winter as we come out the summer drought. This conference is in El Paso, AR, which is close to Cabot.

🌾Recovering Forage Systems🌾
That is the title of the 2026 Arkansas Forage and Grassland Council Fall Conference. It will be held at the CrossRoads Cowboy Church in El Paso, AR (3071 AR-5) on Friday, October 30th from 9am -2pm.
We have a packed schedule with topics including the 2027 weather forecast, reviving drought stressed pastures, drought mitigation strategies, and reporting local weather conditions. We will also hear from university experts and local producers.

Register Today! RSVP by October 19th: Adults $40 and students free!
Scan the QR code or contact Addie Stamps at [email protected] 501 607 8978

Registration at the door is $45 for adults and $20 for students

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is exploring the development of a statewide Arkansas Heifer Development Program designed to help producers raise high-quality, reproductively sound replacement heifers. Your input will help guide program development and identify opportunities to better serve the Arkansas beef industry.
✅ Survey takes just 5-10 minutes
✅ Feedback will directly shape program design
✅ Open to cattle producers across Arkansas
👉 Take the survey link: https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuark.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_3QwdADkVbHrKLwa&data=05%7C02%7Cjtucker%40uada.edu%7C47c188f7ec094841b55908df17f1aa59%7C174d954f585e40c3ae1c01ada5f26723%7C0%7C0%7C639255998892294083%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Vu7wUjz1RvOCsS6VEdlZJo1Cqo27VqcahKXL69Eh95Q%3D&reserved=0

Thank you for helping strengthen the future of Arkansas beef production and supporting the next generation of productive replacement heifers! 🐂🌱

Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.

If you have not filled this survey out, please do so.

💥EDIT: This link is more user friendly. https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/850f937a1956425dab70cf3a79c64e8b

Arkansas is DRY, and we need your help showing just how bad it is.

Pastures are drying up. Trees are stressed and dying. Ponds are dropping. Some cattle producers are already feeding hay because there simply isn’t enough grass.

According to meteorologist Ryan Vaughan, parts of Arkansas are now more than TWO FEET below average rainfall since July 1, 2025. And we aren’t one good rain away from fixing it. Arkansas’ nine climate divisions currently need an average of about 12.7 inches of rain in one month to end drought conditions.

We need producers to report what you’re seeing.

Take a few minutes to file a CMOR drought report. Report your pastures, ponds, livestock impacts, hay feeding, stressed trees and other conditions. Include photos if you can.

➡️ FILE A REPORT:
https://go.unl.edu/cmor_drought

📸 Then show us what you’re seeing. Drop a picture of your pasture in the comments and tell us your county. Are you feeding hay yet? How are your ponds holding up?

Don’t assume someone else is reporting it. Your report helps tell the story of what Arkansas agriculture is actually facing. Copied from Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association.

Columbia County Fair kicked off last night with the Livestock Skill-a-thon. Congratulations to the all the winners.

We can help by running a simple test in the field.

🌾 DROUGHT MANAGEMENT TIP 🌾
Watch for nitrate toxicity

Nitrates can accumulate to toxic levels in some plant species during drought stress.

Forages known to accumulate nitrates include johnsongrass, sorghums (forage sorghum, sorghum-sudan, sudangrass), corn, and pigweed.

High nitrate levels do not dissipate when hay is cut and can remain elevated in dry hay.

Fields with heavy nitrogen fertilizer use, poultry litter applications, or manure history may carry greater risk.

✅ Fresh forage and hay can be tested for nitrate content.

🌱 When in doubt, test it out.

Learn more: UAEX MP530 – Drought Management & Recovery for Livestock Systemshttps://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/mp530.pdf