January, 2018
In 2017, 1,566 wildfires burned 27,549 acres in Arkansas. This is the highest wildfire frequency year since 2012 when 2,148 wildfires burned 34,434 acres. Overall, wildfires were larger in 2017 with an average size of 17.6 acres compared to a 10-year average of 15.5 acres. Find the 2018 wildfire outlook in the full release.

Following a meeting on January 3rd, the State Plant Board will return to a meeting before the Administrative Rules and Regulations Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council on January 16 with unchanged proposed dicamba regulations. See revisions considered in the full release.
Arkansas Agriculture Department personnel wish you all a happy and safe 2018 ... here's to another prosperous year for Arkansas's top industry!
Arkansas Cattlemen's Association presented the AAD with a Plaque of Appreciation for continued partnership in efforts including the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program.
State Forester Joe Fox honors the dedicated 45+ career of Ranger Don Tate of Izard County, at his retirement luncheon in Ash Flat.
Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward attends the Walnut Ridge Hunger Banquet, supporting Hillcrest High FFA.
Arkansas Ag Fact:

Arkansas currently has 407,385 acres of privately owned forestland actively enrolled in the state’s Forest Stewardship program. Private landowners own almost 70% of Arkansas’s 19+ million acres of forestland. Forest Stewardship Plans ensure that Arkansas forests are managed for wildlife habitat, water quality, forest value and health, and more. Learn more .

See the Arkansas Stewardship Family of the Year - Larry and Shirley Aikman of Yell County - featured in the Winter Edition of Arkansas Wild Magazine, here .
What is one way the AAD serves Arkansas farmers and ranchers?

As part of annual training for emergency response during poultry disease outbreaks, Livestock and Poultry Commission Inspectors complete many hours of annual training - like the foaming exercise at the Arkansas State Fair Grounds pictured below. Training ensures that Arkansas livestock and poultry industries remain equipped with the highest quality of staff and equipment.

Agri-Arkansas is a monthly series by AETN dedicated to Arkansas's Agricultural heritage airing the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The most recent edition features an interview and panel discussion with Arkansas Agriculture Secretary Wes Ward. See video, here.
The Arkansas Agriculture Department is now a sponsor of the new agriculture-focused microsite of Talk Business and Politics   (the AAD has no part in content generated, but rather, is a partner in supporting agriculture-industry news in Arkansas). See a few of the latest agriculture-related stories: