Mary Hightower

Arkansas

Director of Communications, University of Arkansas and Freelance Writer at Freelance

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Articles

Arkansas cotton gins decline, but state leads in production and yield

1 week ago | farmprogress.com | Mary Hightower

While the number of gins in Arkansas has declined to tie the all-time low of 26 set in 2015, the state still boasts the nation’s busiest gin. The National Agricultural Statistics Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tracks the number of gins in the United States.
The cost of personal loans

1 week ago | magnoliareporter.com | Mary Hightower

While a personal loan can help consumers do a variety of things: pay off medical bills, cover emergency expenses or make the vacation of a lifetime, the convenience comes at a cost, said Laura Hendrix, professor and personal finance and consumer expert for the Cooperative Extension Service. The first cost is interest, which is expressed as annual percentage rate, or APR. Is that loan worth it? Extension Personal Finance expert Laura Hendrix walks through the decision-making for obtaining a loan.
Taste of summer arrives with first box of tomatoes delivered to Bradley County extension office

1 week ago | magnoliareporter.com | Mary Hightower

WARREN — The year’s first box of tomatoes was delivered a week earlier than last year to the Bradley County Extension Office, a tradition for about 50 years and a harbinger of the season to come. The first box — all Cherokee Purple tomatoes — was delivered Monday, May 19, 2025 by Westin Clanton, son of Randy Clanton Jr. and Skye Clanton, owners of Clanton Farms in Hermitage.
Rain, Cool Weather Delaying Hay

2 weeks ago | m.farms.com | Mary Hightower

By Mary HightowerFrequent rain and cool nights are making it hard to make hay. “Our producers are setting on go,” said Danny Griffin, Van Buren County extension staff chair for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Arkansas cotton gins sink to all-time low, but state has most productive gin in U.S.

2 weeks ago | magnoliareporter.com | Mary Hightower

JONESBORO — While the number of gins in Arkansas has declined to tie the all-time low of 26 set in 2015, the state still boasts the nation’s busiest gin. The National Agricultural Statistics Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tracks the number of gins in the United States.
Will rice acres turn to soybean acres?

2 weeks ago | magnoliareporter.com | Mary Hightower

Will some of Arkansas’ anticipated rice acres drift toward soybeans? Rice planting was moving along fitfully after the floods of early April as subsequent rains became an impediment, said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. According to the May 12 Crop Progress report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Arkansas rice was 86 percent planted, up from 77 percent the week before.
Arkansas Cotton Gins Sink to All-Time Low, but State Has Most Productive Gin in U.S.

2 weeks ago | m.farms.com | Mary Hightower

By Mary HightowerWhile the number of gins in Arkansas has declined to tie the all-time low of 26 set in 2015, the state still boasts the nation’s busiest gin. The National Agricultural Statistics Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tracks the number of gins in the United States.
Will Rice Acres Turn to Soybean Acres?

2 weeks ago | m.farms.com | Mary Hightower

By Mary HightowerWill some of Arkansas’ anticipated rice acres drift toward soybeans? Rice planting was moving along fitfully after the floods of early April as subsequent rains became an impediment, said Jarrod Hardke, extension rice agronomist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. According to the May 12 Crop Progress report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Arkansas rice was 86 percent planted, up from 77 percent the week before.
Arkansas farm income rises, but long-term outlook remains challenging

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Mary Hightower

A two-year decline in Arkansas’ net farm income has been interrupted, but not because farming has suddenly become profitable, said Hunter Biram, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The “Spring 2025 Arkansas Farm Income Outlook,” issued by the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center said net farm income in Arkansas was expected to rise 22% in 2025 over 2024.
Fed maintains rates, weighs trade policy impact on US economy

3 weeks ago | farmprogress.com | Mary Hightower

In keeping interest rates as-is in May, the Federal Open Market Committee is walking a tightrope in trying to cool a still-hot economy while still trying to maintain a strong dollar, said Ryan Loy, extension economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. In its May 7 meeting, the committee — better known as the Fed — kept its benchmark short-term rate at a range of 4.25% to 4.5% for a third straight meeting. The context of that decision is important, Loy said.