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2024 Report Provides Update on Arkansas Groundwater Levels and Trends

18/06/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/18/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] 2024 Report Provides Update on Arkansas Groundwater Levels and Trends LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) has released the 2024 Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Report pursuant to the Arkansas Groundwater Protection and Management Act of 1991, Arkansas Code Annotated § 15-22-906. This report summarizes groundwater monitoring, current water levels, conservation programs, and water use for 2024. “Our staff and partners have worked tirelessly to collect and analyze critical data on the state’s groundwater resources,” said Chris Colclasure, Director of the Department’s Natural Resources Division. “Our findings offer a

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Notice: New Laboratory Information Management System Launching July 1, 2025

12/06/2025

Notice: New Laboratory Information Management System Launching July 1, 2025 The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) is dedicated to delivering outstanding service. To enhance efficiency and improve client experience, we will be upgrading our laboratory information management system (LIMS) effective July 1, 2025.  A LIMS is a specialized software platform designed to streamline laboratory operations by managing samples, organizing testing data, automating workflows, and integrating instruments. By ensuring seamless data tracking and reducing manual processes, a LIMS enhances efficiency and accelerates the delivery of accurate test results.  The current WebSuite portal used to access test results

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Regulatory Notice: Approved Tank Mixes for Aerial Application with Clomazone Products

11/06/2025

Regulatory Notice: Approved Tank Mixes for Aerial Application with Clomazone Products Date: June 11, 2025 The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) has received several inquiries regarding approved tank mixes allowed for aerial application with products containing clomazone. Please note that tank mixes are approved based on the product brand name, not the active ingredient. A detailed list of approved tank mixes can be found on the Department’s website here. Producers and applicators who fail to comply with federal and/or state laws and rules may be subject to civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, as well as possible

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Governor Sanders Announces Additional Water Funding to Support Arkansas Communities

04/06/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/4/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] Governor Sanders Announces Additional Water Funding to Support Arkansas Communities LITTLE ROCK, AR — Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced $150,000 in emergency financial assistance for the City of Hoxie, along with the approval of $25 million in general obligation bonds to support water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across the state. The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission approved the funding and passed a series resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of the bonds during its meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The $25 million in State of Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Reminds Industry of Dicamba Use Restrictions

30/05/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/30/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is reminding pesticide applicators and agricultural producers of important restrictions regarding the use of dicamba products during the 2025 growing season. From April 16 through October 31, pesticides labeled for agricultural use that contain dicamba cannot be used for pre-plant (burndown) applications in Arkansas. At this time, no pesticides containing dicamba have a valid federal or state registration for over-the-top (OTT) application on dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. As a result, farmers cannot legally apply OTT dicamba on soybeans and cotton in 2025.

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Melbourne Burger Named Arkansas’s Best Burger by the Arkansas Beef Council

28/05/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/28/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] MELBOURNE, AR — The Arkansas Beef Council today announced that the winner of the 2nd Annual Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest is the Big Daddy Burger from Johnson’s Country Cookin’ in Melbourne. This statewide competition celebrates Arkansas restaurants and their commitment to using 100% beef in crafting their burgers. The Big Daddy Burger features three half-pound beef patties stacked with triple bacon, triple cheese, and a choice of toppings, all served on a toasted brioche bun. The contest drew more than 2,100 nominations from across the state during the nomination period from April

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Accepting Proposals for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

28/05/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 5/28/2025Contact: Ayden Massey, [email protected] LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) through June 20, 2025. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Arkansas’s specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits, vegetables, horticulture, floriculture, and tree nuts. Proposals for funding may be submitted by universities, institutions, cooperatives, producers, industry, community-based organizations, and individuals with projects that potentially affect and produce measurable outcomes for the specialty crop industry and/or

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Arkansas Department of Agriculture Distributes Over 15,000 Tree Seedlings

22/05/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s fifth annual Free Tree Fridays campaign successfully distributed 15,400 tree seedlings across the state during 35 events held each Friday from March 21 through April 25. A total of 3,620 Arkansans participated in the events, celebrating Arbor Day and the importance of trees in our communities. Each giveaway featured a variety of tree species native to Arkansas, including cherrybark oak, eastern redbud, persimmon, red mulberry, river birch, and Shumard oak. The campaign aims to promote the many benefits of trees while encouraging proper planting techniques and the use of native

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Notice: Essential Sample Submission Guidelines for State Fair Show Animals

20/05/2025

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) is enhancing its services to better support livestock owners and exhibitors during the livestock show season. To improve testing efficiency and accuracy, starting May 1, the AVDL added a Thursday testing day for swine pseudorabies and brucellosis. This additional testing day will be available until the Arkansas State Fair, scheduled for October 10-19, 2025. Both Monday and Thursday sessions have an 8 AM cutoff to ensure timely processing. Samples submitted after the cutoff time will be held until the next scheduled day. To ensure a seamless testing process, please review

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Arkansas Beef Council Announces Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest Finalists

12/05/2025

LITTLE ROCK, AR — The Arkansas Beef Council is excited to announce the top five finalists of the 2nd Annual Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest, a statewide competition celebrating 100% beef burgers prepared by Arkansas restaurants. Nominations were open from April 1 to 30, and the burgers that received the most nominations from each of the state’s five regions were selected as finalists. The winning burger will be announced by May 31. “We are thrilled to announce the top five finalists in the 2025 Arkansas’s Best Burger Contest,” said Beef Council Chairman Caleb Plyer. “With more than 2,100 nominations submitted

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