Dirt to Data

University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
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Dirt to Data is the official podcast of Mississippi County Extension, bringing research-based information and practical insights directly to Arkansas producers, landowners, and agricultural professionals. Each episode covers timely topics in crop production, livestock management, forage systems, farm management, and emerging agricultural issues. Featuring Extension specialists, industry experts, and local producers, Dirt to Data connects the science happening behind the scenes with real-world decisions made on the farm every day. From the field to the future, we're turning dirt into data and data into decisions.

Episodes

  1. Sep 25

    Episode Eight: Bugs, Budgets & Pastures: When the Data Hits the Farm

    Grab that second cup of coffee and join us for Episode 8 — because today we're talking about bugs, budgets, pastures, and some decisions that aren't always easy to make.  From the rice field to the farm office to the pasture, this episode is all about one thing: using information to make better decisions. 🐛 Rice stink bugs: Researchers have developed the first chromosome-scale reference genome for the rice stink bug, giving scientists a closer look at how this tiny pest feeds, adapts and may develop insecticide resistance. 💰 Farm finances: What happens when the numbers aren't adding up? We talk about why considering options like downsizing, leasing, transitioning to the next generation or even exiting farming doesn't automatically mean failure — and why sometimes you need to take a hard look at the numbers. 🌱 Fall & winter grazing: Dry conditions have producers thinking ahead. We talk winter annuals, hay testing, pasture planning, drought management and the Three R's: Rest, Renovation and Replacement. And because this is Dirt to Data, we're talking about more than just research — we're talking about how that research and those numbers actually connect to decisions being made on Arkansas farms. 🎧 Episode 8 is out now! Give it a listen, share it with a farmer, rancher or ag friend, and let us know what you're thinking. Because sometimes the numbers tell us exactly what we want to hear… and sometimes they tell us something we really didn't want to hear. 😉 Dirt to Data — where Arkansas agriculture meets research, innovation, and real-world results. 🌾🎙️ We'll see y'all down the road! Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: FENDAXHQ4JHAKLI2 #DirtToData #ArkansasAgriculture #ArkansasFarmers #AgResearch #FarmLife #Extension #Rice #Cattle #PastureManagement #AgriculturePodcast

  2. Sep 11

    Episode Seven: Dirt, Data & Decisions: What Arkansas Producers Need to Know

    🎙️🌾Dirt to Data Episode Seven 🌾🎙️ Dirt, Data & Decisions: What Arkansas Producers Need to Know Harvest is moving fast across Arkansas — but there’s a whole lot more happening in agriculture than what you can see from the cab of a combine. 🚜 In this episode of Dirt to Data, we’re digging into the numbers, the markets, the laws and the decisions that are shaping Arkansas agriculture right now. 🌾 Harvest Update: Corn, rice and soybeans are moving quickly, with hot and dry weather pushing harvest along. 💰 Farm Economy: What does a tough farm economy mean for producers, and what strategies can help farms navigate challenging times? 🧵 Cotton Markets: Global cotton demand is showing some encouraging signs — but what does that mean for Arkansas cotton producers? 📋 Agricultural Law: New USDA payment, eligibility and tax rules could have real implications for producers. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Child Labor in Agriculture: We’re breaking down what producers and farm families need to know about federal rules and exemptions. 🐄 Beef Cattle Reproduction: From synchronization and AI to pregnancy testing and culling decisions, we’re talking about practical tools that can impact the bottom line. Because the numbers on a report matter — but what those numbers mean when you're sitting in the cab of a combine, checking cattle or making decisions on the farm is where the real story is. 🌱 🎧 Give this episode a listen, and let’s dig into the data behind the dirt! 👉 Like, follow and subscribe to Dirt to Data 👉 Share this episode with a farmer, rancher, ag professional, student or anyone who wants to better understand Arkansas agriculture. 👉 And send us your questions and story ideas! The best Dirt to Data conversations start with the questions agriculture is actually asking. Don’t just listen — BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION. 🌾🎙️ Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: NKQFKSJLV6KW8PEA #DirtToData #ArkansasAgriculture #ArkansasFarmers #AgExtension #Agriculture #Harvest2026 #FarmEconomy #Cotton #Rice #Soybeans #Cattle #AgLaw #FarmLife

  3. Aug 28

    Episode Six: Growing the Next Generation, Cattle Markets & a Fast-Moving Arkansas Harvest

    What do 4-H, cattle markets, and Arkansas harvest have in common? They’re all part of the bigger story of agriculture — and we’re digging into all three on this week’s Dirt to Data! 🎧 In this episode: 🌟 Growing the next generation: Arkansas 4-H has more than 650 clubs across the state, with opportunities in every county. New members can join anytime, and returning members can re-enroll Sept. 1–Dec. 31. Plus, there are college scholarship opportunities available! 🐄 Cattle markets: What does the phased reopening of the Mexican cattle border mean for U.S. cattle producers? We break down what it could mean for cattle supplies and markets moving into fall and next year. 🌾 Harvest is moving: Arkansas rice harvest is officially underway at 7% harvested, ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Corn is at 21% harvested, and Arkansas grain sorghum acres are up a whopping 79% from last year. 📊 From the classroom to the cattle market to the combine — the data tells a story. 🎙️ Tune in to Dirt to Data and let’s dig into the numbers behind Arkansas agriculture! 👇 What are you watching most closely right now — harvest, cattle markets, or the next generation of agriculture? #DirtToData #ArkansasAgriculture #Arkansas4H #4H #Harvest2026 #RiceHarvest #CornHarvest #CattleMarkets #GrainSorghum #Agriculture #Arkansas #FarmLife #AgNews

  4. Aug 14

    Episode Five: From Field Trials to Farm Decisions: Research That Matters

    🌾 FROM RESEARCH PLOTS TO REAL FARMS: THE DATA BEHIND THE DIRT 🚜 More than 200 farmers, crop consultants, researchers, and agricultural professionals gathered in Harrisburg for the 2026 Rice & Soybean Field Day at the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center—and there was plenty of research worth talking about! 🎙️ In the latest episode of Dirt to Data, we’re digging into: 🌱 New possibilities for herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass — including a potential new mode of action currently under regulatory review. 🌾 Tougher soybeans — researchers are working on drought tolerance, root-knot nematode resistance, and varieties better suited for Arkansas conditions. 🚁 Spray drones — researchers are looking at how speed and application practices can impact spray coverage and, ultimately, disease control. 💰 Knowing when NOT to spray — five years and 53 on-farm fungicide trials show why scouting fields and making informed decisions can help protect both yields and the bottom line. 👨‍🌾 Research on real farms — because the best data is data that makes its way from the research plot back to the producer’s field. And we also highlight the career and legacy of Tim Burcham, whose journey from a pickup truck, rubber boots, and a shovel helped lay the groundwork for the Northeast Rice Research and Extension Center. At the end of the day, research isn't just about numbers. It’s about making better decisions in the field. 🌱 🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of Dirt to Data and dig into the research, innovation, and real-world results shaping Arkansas agriculture. 👇 Give it a listen, share it with a farmer or fellow ag professional, and let us know what research you’d like to hear about next! #DirtToData #ArkansasAgriculture #RiceResearch #SoybeanResearch #AgResearch #Extension #Farmers #CropProduction #AgInnovation #ArkansasFarmers Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: PLQRA8DXZGNKMZIE

  5. Aug 11

    Episode Four: Harvest Preparation & Young Farmers: Building the Future of Arkansas Agriculture

    Harvest season is just around the corner, and preparation goes far beyond getting the combine ready. In our latest episode of **Dirt to Data**, we're talking about **Harvest Preparation & Young Farmers: Building the Future of Arkansas Agriculture**. 🚜 We cover important harvest preparation tips, equipment safety, grain storage, and one of the most critical reminders of the season—**grain safety**. ⚠️ Flowing grain can become a deadly hazard in seconds. We talk about grain entrapment and engulfment, confined-space dangers, equipment entanglement, and why having a grain-bin emergency plan **before an accident happens** is so important. Then we shift gears and look toward the future of agriculture. 🌱 Who will be farming these fields for the next generation? We talk about the challenges facing young farmers, the importance of mentorship, new technology, education, and how experienced producers and the next generation can learn from one another. Agriculture's future depends on both **the knowledge we've gained and the ideas we're willing to embrace.** 🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of **Dirt to Data** for a conversation about staying safe this harvest season and building a stronger future for Arkansas agriculture. **Stay safe. Stay informed. Keep growing.** 🌾

  6. Aug 11

    Episode Three: Beyond the Field: Managing Stress and Finding Support in Arkansas Agriculture

    Farming is about more than crops, cattle, and markets—it's about the people behind the operation. In this episode of **Dirt to Data**, we're taking a step back from production agriculture to have an honest conversation about something that affects every farm: **stress**. From unpredictable weather and rising input costs to long days during planting and harvest, agriculture can take a toll on both physical and mental well-being. We'll discuss: 🌾 Common signs of farm stress 🚜 Simple ways to manage stress during busy seasons 🤝 The importance of community and checking in on one another 📚 How the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service can connect producers with valuable resources and support No matter what you raise or grow, remember this: **Healthy farms begin with healthy farmers.** 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of **Dirt to Data** and join the conversation. If this episode speaks to you, share it with a fellow producer, friend, or family member. You never know who might need the reminder that they don't have to carry the load alone. #DirtToData #ArkansasAgriculture #FarmStress #MentalHealthMatters #Extension #UADA #FarmLife #ArkansasFarmers #SupportRuralCommunities #HealthyFarmHealthyFarmer Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: DUJEXA7IVVMI5SDY 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.

  7. Aug 11

    Episode Two: Mid-Season Check-In: Crop Scouting, Cattle Markets, and Summer Forages

    🌾 Mid-Season Check-In: Crop Scouting, Cattle Markets & Summer Forages | Dirt to Data Podcast Summer is a critical time for Arkansas agriculture, and the decisions producers make now can have a lasting impact on the rest of the season. In this episode of Dirt to Data, we cover timely topics affecting row crop and livestock producers across Arkansas. Learn why regular crop scouting is essential for protecting yield potential, what insects, diseases, weeds, and weather-related challenges producers may be encountering, and how to make informed management decisions based on field conditions. We also discuss the current outlook for Arkansas's cattle industry, including herd management considerations, market trends, and the importance of staying informed about the New World screwworm. Plus, we share practical forage and pasture management strategies to help maintain productive grazing systems throughout the summer. Whether you're growing rice, soybeans, corn, cotton, or peanuts, raising beef cattle, or simply interested in Arkansas agriculture, this episode is packed with research-based information and practical recommendations from Extension. In this episode: 🌱 Why mid-season crop scouting matters🐛 Common insects, diseases, and weed concerns💧 Irrigation and weather considerations🐄 Arkansas cattle industry update🚨 New World screwworm awareness🌿 Summer forage and pasture management📊 Preparing your operation for the remainder of the growing seasonSubscribe to Dirt to Data for research-based discussions on Arkansas agriculture, including row crop production, livestock management, forage systems, agricultural technology, market updates, and Extension recommendations from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. #DirtToData #ArkansasAgriculture #ArkansasExtension #CropScouting #RowCrops #Rice #Soybeans #Corn #Cotton #Peanuts #BeefCattle #ForageManagement #PastureManagement #NewWorldScrewworm #AgriculturePodcast #ExtensionService #FarmPodcast #ArkansasFarmers Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: KFFC6B6YYR3OML2A

  8. Aug 11

    Episode One: Dirt to Data: The Challenges, Innovations, and Opportunities in Row crops

    In this episode of Dirt to Data, host Jessica Fulgham takes a closer look at Arkansas row crop agriculture and the factors that shape a successful growing season. From soybeans and rice to corn, cotton, and peanuts, we discuss the importance of weather, water management, pest control, and emerging technologies that are helping producers make informed decisions in the field. Learn how Arkansas growers are improving irrigation efficiency, managing insects, diseases, and herbicide-resistant weeds, and utilizing precision agriculture tools to increase productivity and sustainability. Whether you're a producer, agriculture professional, or simply interested in the future of farming, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Arkansas row crop agriculture today. Join us as we dig into the data behind the dirt and explore the research, innovation, and real-world practices that keep Arkansas agriculture growing.

  • 8 Episodes

About

Dirt to Data is the official podcast of Mississippi County Extension, bringing research-based information and practical insights directly to Arkansas producers, landowners, and agricultural professionals. Each episode covers timely topics in crop production, livestock management, forage systems, farm management, and emerging agricultural issues. Featuring Extension specialists, industry experts, and local producers, Dirt to Data connects the science happening behind the scenes with real-world decisions made on the farm every day. From the field to the future, we're turning dirt into data and data into decisions.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dirt to Data
  • Show Website
    Dirt to Data