‘MOST CROP PER DROP’ CONTEST REWARDS ARKANSAS PRODUCERS FOR WATER EFFICIENCY

The annual University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture program's “Most Crop per Drop” program promotes the use of irrigation management practices and rewards growers who demonstrate the highest water use efficiency in growing corn, rice and soybean.

Winners of the contest were announced Jan. 25 during the 34th annual Arkansas Water and Soil Education Conference in Jonesboro. This year, the top three finishers in each crop category received more than $20,000 in cash and prizes from industry sponsors.

Corn Winners

1st place: James Wray, 12.43 bushels/inch, Poinsett Co.

2nd place: Heath Donner, 7.23 bushels/inch, Mississippi Co.

3rd place: Terry Smith, 6.11 bushels/inch, Greene Co.

Soybean winners

1st place: Cody Fincher, 4.25 bushels/inch, Mississippi Co.

2nd place: Rieves Wallace and John Wallace, 3.65 bushels/inch, Crittenden Co.

3rd place — Karl Garner, 3.57 bushels/inch, Cross Co.

Flooded Rice Winners

1st place: Karl Garner, 7.66 bushels/inch, Cross Co.

2nd place: Mark Felker, 6.56 bushels/inch, Crittenden Co.

3rd place: Rieves Wallace and John Wallace, 4.57 bushels/inch, Crittenden Co.

Furrow Rice Winners

1st place: Chad Render, 7.94 bushels/inch, Jefferson Co.

2nd place: Rieves and John Wallace, 6.38 bushels/inch, Crittenden Co.

3rd place: Matt Morris, 6.22 bushels/inch, Lonoke Co.

The first-place winners in corn and soybean received $8,000 each; second-place winners, $3,000; and thirdplace winners, $1,000. The overall rice winner received $2,000 and a Ricetec seed credit worth $11,000.

For information about irrigation and how to get involved with the 2023 Most Crop per Drop contest, visit https:// uaex.uada.edu/irrigation.

Columbia Co. Meeting | The Columbia County Farm Bureau board hosted their quarterly meeting Jan. 24 to discuss plans for the year and hear a legislative and Federation update from ArFB District Director Austin Lester. Newly elected city officials were guests for the evening. Columbia County Judge Doug Fields, Sheriff Leroy Martin, and Assessor Shannon Hair joined the board to share the challenges they face in their positions and goals for 2023.

Benton Co. Ag Student of the Month | Benton Co. Farm Bureau celebrated Rogers Heritage High School student Shelby Dean for being chosen as the January Outstanding Ag Student of the Month! Assistant Principal Stephanie Shriner helped organize a surprise award presentation which included Shelby’s family and fellow FFA members.

Craighead Co. Meeting | Craighead Co. Farm Bureau Board members and Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) members recently met with Craighead Co. legislators for a breakfast. The WLC committee provided a variety of casseroles that featured dairy, wheat and feed grain, specialty crop and poultry commodities.