Mississippi County Ag Extension Service

09/11/2026

🌾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. 🌾🎙️
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09/04/2026

🌱🔥 WEEKLY HEAT UNIT UPDATE | KEISER, ARKANSAS

Summer may be winding down, but the heat units aren’t getting the memo! 😅☀️

From August 27–September 2, Keiser picked up 156.5 heat units, keeping crops moving as we head into September. 🌾📈

Here’s how the week stacked up:

🌡️ 8/27: 18.5 HUs — 92° / 65°
🌡️ 8/28: 16.5 HUs — 89° / 64°
🌡️ 8/29: 18.5 HUs — 92° / 65°
🌡️ 8/30: 23.5 HUs — 96° / 71°
🌡️ 8/31: 25 HUs — 97° / 73°
🔥 9/1: 27 HUs — 99° / 75°
🔥 9/2: 27.5 HUs — 100° / 75°

🏆 HOTTEST HEAT-UNIT DAY:
🔥 September 2 with 27.5 heat units!

And just when we thought September might bring a little relief… 100°F showed up! 🥵🌡️

The cooler mornings earlier in the week didn't stop the heat-unit train for long. By the end of the week, temperatures were back in the upper 90s — with another 100-degree day on September 2.

🌾 What does that mean in the field?

Heat units continue to help us track crop development and anticipate important growth stages. But as we move toward harvest season, boots-on-the-ground scouting is more important than ever. 👀

The calendar says September.
The thermometer says SUMMER ISN’T DONE YET. 😂☀️

So keep checking those fields, watching crop progress and keeping an eye on what Mother Nature is throwing our way!

📍 Keiser, Arkansas

How are things looking in your fields? 🌾 Drop a comment and let us know what you're seeing!

09/01/2026

🌾 **HARVEST, HUNTING & HABITAT — WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!** 🦃🦆🐗

We know this time of year is **BUSY!** Harvest is in full swing, fall sports are happening, and there’s always something going on. 🚜🏈🍂

But it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about **food plots, wildlife habitat, land management, and hunting season!** 🎯🌾

Join us for a **FREE Wildlife & Land Management Seminar** — and yes, **dinner is provided!** 🍽️

Here’s what we have lined up:

🦃 **Wildlife & Land Management**
Extension Instructor **Jaret Rushing** will be joining us to talk about all things wildlife management, including **feeding, prescribed burning, habitat management, and more!**

🌾 **NRCS Assistance & Cost-Share Programs**
NRCS will also be on hand to discuss available **technical assistance and financial assistance**, including cost-share opportunities for conservation practices.

🦆 **FREE to Attend + Dinner Provided!**

📞 **Registration is REQUIRED** so we can make sure we have enough food for everyone.
Call the Crittenden County Extension Office at **870-739-3239** to get registered!

📍 **Open to EVERYONE!** You do NOT have to live in Crittenden County to attend.

Know someone who would enjoy this? **TAG THEM & SHARE THIS POST!** 👇

Let’s get ready for hunting season and make the most of the land we have! 🌾🦃🦆🐗

🦌 This time of year is super busy with Harvest and fall sports but it also means food plot prep and hunting season too

🦃 This seminar is a FREE seminar with dinner provided. Extension Instructor, Jaret Rushing will be joining us to talk all things management, feeding, burning and so much more

🌾 NRCS will be joining as well to talk about their technical and financial (cost-share programs) assistance with conservation practices

🦆 We do need you to register so we can plan for dinner. Call our office at 870-739-3239

🐗 It’s open to everyone and those outside of Crittenden County. Please share

09/01/2026

🦆 **ATTENTION, YOUNG DUCK CALLERS!** 🦆

Calling all **duck enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and future duck hunters!** 🎯🌾

Crittenden County Extension/4-H, NRCS, Drake Brake Duck Calls, and a few local individuals are excited to partner together to host a **YOUTH DUCK CALLING WORKSHOP!** 🦆📣

This is a great opportunity for youth to learn the basics of duck calling, build their confidence, and have some fun while learning from experienced callers.

📅 **Registration & payment deadline:** October 2
💵 **Cash or check only**
⚠️ **SPOTS ARE LIMITED!**

📍 **Location:** To be announced in the coming weeks.

If you have a child who is interested in duck calling, hunting, or spending time in the outdoors, **don’t wait to register!** Give us a call and get them signed up before the workshop fills up.

We’re excited to bring this opportunity to the youth in our community and can’t wait to see some future duck callers in action! 🦆🔥

**Call today to reserve your spot!**

Attention all duck enthusiasts 🦆

Crittenden County Extension/4-H, NRCS, Drake Brake Duck Calls and a few individuals are hosting a YOUTH duck calling workshop!

Spots are limited. You just register and pay by October 2nd. Cash or check only

We are excited to partner and host this event. Location will be announced in the coming weeks.

But if your child is interested please call and get them registered soon.

08/21/2026

☀️🔥 **THE HEAT IS STACKING UP! | KEISER HEAT UNIT UPDATE** 🌱🌾

If it feels like summer is in full swing… **the heat units agree!** 🥵

From **August 13–20, Keiser picked up 197.5 heat units** — and we had some BIG numbers along the way!

📊 **Here’s the week at a glance:**

🌡️ **8/13:** 26.5 HUs — 98° / 75°
🌡️ **8/14:** 25 HUs — 97° / 73°
🌡️ **8/15:** 26.5 HUs — 98° / 75°
🔥 **8/16:** **28.5 HUs — 100° / 77°**
🌡️ **8/17:** 21 HUs — 92° / 70°
🌡️ **8/18:** 23 HUs — 91° / 75°
🌡️ **8/19:** 24.5 HUs — 91° / 78°
🌡️ **8/20:** 22.5 HUs — 93° / 72°

🏆 **HOTTEST HEAT-UNIT DAY:**
🔥 **August 16 — 28.5 heat units!** 🔥

And yes… **100°F made an appearance.** 🥵☀️

After several days in the upper 90s, crops are continuing to rack up heat units and move through those important growth stages. That means there’s plenty happening in the field — and plenty to keep an eye on!

🌱 **Heat units help tell the story.**
👀 **Scouting tells us what’s really happening.**

So grab your hat, fill up that water jug, and **keep those boots in the field!** 👢🌾

📍 **Keiser, Arkansas**

**What did the thermometer say in your neck of the woods this week?** 👇🌡️

08/14/2026

🌱🔥 **WEEKLY HEAT UNIT UPDATE | KEISER, ARKANSAS** 🔥🌱

**The heat is definitely adding up in Keiser! ** ☀️🌾

Since July 31, we’ve recorded **293.5 total heat units**, and the last several days have really turned up the heat!

📊 **Here’s the latest: **

🌡️ **8/7: ** 23 HUs — 91° / 75°
🌡️ **8/8: ** 20.5 HUs — 89° / 72°
🌡️ **8/9: ** 24 HUs — 94° / 74°
🌡️ **8/10: ** 24.5 HUs — 95° / 74°
🌡️ **8/11: ** 25 HUs — 95° / 75°
🌡️ **8/12: ** 25.5 HUs — 96° / 75°
🔥 **8/13: ** **26 HUs — 97° / 75°**

🏆 **New heat-unit high: ** August 13 with **26 heat units! **

After a little cooler weather earlier in the month, the thermometer has been climbing — and the heat units are right there with it. With temperatures reaching the **upper 90s**, crops are continuing to rack up those units and move through important growth stages. 🌱📈

But remember: **the numbers tell us where we are headed, while the field tells us what’s actually happening. ** 👀🌾

Keep those boots muddy and keep scouting! Crop stages can move quickly when Mother Nature turns up the heat. ☀️🥵

📍 **Keiser, Arkansas**

**How hot has it been in your neck of the woods? ** Drop your high temperature in the comments! 👇🌡️

08/07/2026

🌱🔥 **THE HEAT IS ON IN KEISER!** 🔥🌱

July may be behind us, but August is wasting NO time bringing the heat! ☀️🥵

From **July 31–August 6, Keiser picked up 125 heat units**, keeping those crops moving right along toward their next growth stages.

Here’s how the week went:

🌡️ **7/31:** 22 HUs — 89° / 75°
🌡️ **8/1:** 14 HUs — 78° / 70°
🌡️ **8/2:** 13.5 HUs — 80° / 67°
🌡️ **8/3:** 16.5 HUs — 86° / 67°
🌡️ **8/4:** 16.5 HUs — 87° / 66°
🌡️ **8/5:** 20 HUs — 90° / 70°
🔥 **8/6:** 22.5 HUs — **92° / 73°**

🏆 **And the winner for the hottest heat-unit day?**
**August 6 with 22.5 heat units!** 🔥

We got a little break from the heat at the beginning of the week, but Mother Nature flipped the switch and sent us right back into the 90s. 🌞

For the crops, that means the heat units keep adding up and development keeps moving. 🌾📈

Heat-unit tracking helps us keep an eye on where crops are headed and when important growth stages may be approaching. But you can’t beat boots-on-the-ground scouting! 👢👀

So while the thermometer is climbing, **keep your eyes on those fields!** Every day counts this time of year.

☀️ **Hot days. Growing crops. Lots to watch.**

📍 **Keiser, Arkansas**

07/31/2026

🌡️ **Weekly Heat Unit Update** 🌱

The heat kept building across Keiser this past week, with **142.5 total daily heat units recorded from July 25–30**.

Here’s the breakdown:

📅 **7/25:** 22.5 heat units — High 90°F / Low 74°F
📅 **7/26:** 26.5 heat units — High 96°F / Low 77°F
📅 **7/27:** 26.5 heat units — High 97°F / Low 76°F
📅 **7/28:** **27 heat units** — High 96°F / Low 78°F
📅 **7/29:** 19.5 heat units — High 90°F / Low 69°F
📅 **7/30:** 20.5 heat units — High 89°F / Low 72°F

🔥 **The highest heat-unit day was July 28 with 27 heat units.**

Heat units give us a way to track how much heat is accumulating during the growing season and can help us monitor crop development and progress toward key growth stages.

With temperatures consistently in the upper 80s and 90s, crops have continued to accumulate heat, making it important to keep an eye on growth stages, crop stress, and overall field conditions.

📍 **Temperatures from Keiser, Arkansas**