Johnson County Extension - UAEX

08/21/2026

Arkansas’ rice harvest is underway earlier than usual, with 7% of the crop harvested, ahead of last year and the five year average.

Due to extremely hot and dry conditions, farmers are flushing fields with water one last time before draining them and following the drying ground with combines. Extension rice agronomist Jarrod Hardke expects harvest to accelerate quickly, depending on weather.

Meanwhile, Arkansas grain sorghum acreage has increased 79% from last year, reaching 12,679 acres. Demand from feed mills and export markets is helping drive the increase, with harvest typically beginning in late August.

Read the full article at www.uaex.uada.edu 🌾

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

⚠️🔥 Wildfire risk continues to climb across Arkansas, with all 75 counties now at moderate risk or higher, and 68 counties under active burn bans as of 8/19/26.

Dry conditions have spread quickly in recent weeks, and forecasters expect above-normal fire potential across southern and eastern Arkansas through the rest of August.

A few things to keep in mind as conditions stay dry:
🔥 Check for a burn ban in your county before doing any outdoor burning
🏡 Homeowners near wildland areas can find defensible space tips through Firewise USA
🌲 Forest landowners should plan for a shorter prescribed burn season this fall
🚒 Volunteer fire departments should prepare for increased call volume

Numbers to Save:
📞 Report a wildfire: 1-800-468-8834
📋 Report a prescribed burn before ignition: 1-800-830-8015

For the most up-to-date, county-by-county risk levels and burn ban status, check the Arkansas Department of Agriculture 's new wildfire dashboard here: https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/34991c7fefb64ad7a89cb3905d1c6398

08/14/2026

Here are some tips on how to control Fire Ants

08/14/2026

08/10/2026

The Johnson County 4-H is having their Annual Poultry Auction this Saturday August 15th at 9:00 am at the Fair Grounds. Come out and buy some Hy-line Brown chickens.