(David West is Cleveland County’s Staff Chair and Agriculture Agent with the University of Arkansas System Cooperative Extension Service. Contact David via email at dwest@uada.edu or phone at (870) 325-6321.)
TransformAR is a statewide initiative to help farmers and ranchers, especially small-scale family producers, thrive through innovative technical assistance and transformative education. Specialists and extension agents will utilize a state-of-the-art mobile lab equipped to deliver on-farm, real-time analyses, generating indicators in key parameters that improve the accuracy of recommendations and the excellence of our services. Additionally, the mobile lab will be used extensively for hands-on demonstrations at educational events, such as workshops, field days, farm-trials, and county fairs.
We are fortunate to have the mobile lab coming to Cleveland County for a workshop focused on livestock production. The event will be held at The Pioneer Village 200 Yaney Dr. Rison, AR 71665 Tuesday November 3rd at 5:30 PM. Speakers will be Dr. Ramiro Oliveira, assistant professor of beef cattle production systems based out of the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope and Dr. Dan Quadros, Small Ruminant Specialist at the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (UADA), Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science. They will cover topics on advanced technologies in reproduction such as estrus synchronization, artificial insemination, and pregnancy detection. Bailey Darnell USDA- NRCS District Conservationist and Reba Eakley CED USDA- Farm Service Agency will also present information and answer questions about programs available to producers.
Although this workshop will cover livestock production, the mobile laboratory capabilities and education program will cover multiple areas of agriculture, such as crop production, animal husbandry, horticulture, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics, forestry, soil science, fisheries science, as well as environmental and food sciences. The goals of the program are to:
• Improve the ability of farmers and ranchers to start and maintain successful agricultural and/or forestry-related operations
• Implement a comprehensive outreach program to promote best farming practices for sustainable agriculture
• Increase participation of farmers and ranchers in USDA programs
To find out more about or to register for the free workshop go to : www.uaex.uada.edu/TransformAR
You can also call the Cleveland County Extension office at 870-325-6321 or Email CEA David West at: dwest@uada.edu
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.