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Southwest Research and Extension Center
362 Highway 174 North
Hope, Ark. 71801
870-777-9702
Fax 870-777-8441
Victor Ford, director, vford@uaex.edu
Driving directions:
Take Exit 36 off Interstate 30 (Emmet Exit) and turn left onto AR-299 for 0.3 miles to the intersection with Hwy. 174 (there is a green sign at the junction). Turn right and proceed southwest approximately 3 miles. The Center will be on your right.
The Southwest Research and Extension Center is one of five research and extension centers in Arkansas. The center dates to 1925 when the legislature appropriated funds for three branch experiment stations. Through support from the legislature, 30 local businesses and 49 individuals, the Fruit and Truck Branch Experiment Station was established on 185 acres. The research emphasis at that time was small fruits, vegetables and row crops.
The research program changed focus as the area's main agricultural enterprises in the 1950s were forestry, beef cattle and row crops. In 1960, the center was changed to the Southwest Branch Experiment Station. The station was expanded in 1961 when the University of Arkansas leased 1,000 acres with the option to buy the Lloyd Spencer Farm, referred to as the Spencer Tract. The Spencer Tract was purchased in 1975 to support the forestry, beef cattle and row crop research programs.
The Arkansas legislature appropriated funds in 1979 and 1981 for constructing an office building to house faculty and staff. The station was renamed the Southwest Research and Extension Center in 1981. Beginning in 1984, five Ph.D.-level scientists were hired in the disciplines of animal science, agronomy, forestry and plant pathology to address local and statewide problems. Research is also conducted in horticulture and entomology at the Center by project leaders located on the Fayetteville campus.
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| Research plantings of blackberries, peaches and other fruit crops will be toured and discussed at a Horticulture Field Day on Friday, June 18, 2009, at SWREC |
Research Programs
Ecology and Management of Nematodes and Soil borne Pathogens of Cotton with Emphasis on Precision Agriculture Application -- T.L. Kirkpatrick
Variety Testing of Corn, Soybean and Grain Sorghum -- D. Dombek
Breeding and Testing of Winter Grain Crops -- R. Bacon
Breeding Southernpeas -- T. Morelock
Soybean Germplasm Evaluation for Resistance to Soybean Nematodes and Pathogens of Importance in Arkansas-- T.L. Kirkpatrick
Nematode Diagnostic Clinic
Etiology, Epidemiology and Control of Soybean Diseases -- J. Rupe
Breeding and Genetics of Small Fruit and Grapes -- J. Clark
Breeding Tree Fruits Adapted to the Soils and Climate of Arkansas--J. Clark
Rootstock Evaluation of Peaches and Nectarines -- C. Rom
Preliminary Investigations into Sustainable Beef Cattle Production Systems in Southwest Arkansas -- S. Gunter
Multidisciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars -- M.E. Garcia
Production Systems for Stocker Cattle in Arkansas -- P.A. Beck
Development and Evaluation of Forest Management Practices to Maintain Water Quality and Soil Productivity -- Hal Liechty
The Impact of Tillage on Soil Characteristics in Winter Annual Pastures -- S. Gunter
Stand Dynamics of Arkansas Forests -- J. Schuler
Selection and Evaluation of Superior Woody Ornamental Plants Suitable for Arkansas Landscapes -- J. Robbins
Using Numerical Methods to Improve Efficiency of Forest Management -- M. Pelkki
Host Resistance as the Cornerstone for Managing Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Sustainable Agro ecosystems -- T.L. Kirkpatrick
Faculty
Dr. Victor L. Ford -- SWREC Director and Professor, Forestry
Conducts research in forest soils, silviculture, and forest tree improvement
Dr. Terry L. Kirkpatrick -- Professor of Plant Pathology
Conducts research involving nematode population dynamics and ecology, nematode extraction and identification and field plot research involving agronomic crops (soybeans, cotton, corn, grain sorghum, wheat).
Dr. Jon Barry -- Extension Forester
Conducts research in pine plantation management including chemical suppression of weeds at establishment, spacing studies, fertilization and pruning to enhance saw log quality.
Dr. Paul Beck -- Assistant Professor, Animal Science
Conducts research to evaluate forage systems in stocker and cow/calf herds.
Research Specialists/Associates
J.D. Barham - Variety Testing of wheat, grain sorghum, corn, and soybeans
Ronnie Bateman - Nematode Diagnostic Clinic
Qingfang Chen – Horticulture research projects
John Trauger - Cultural practices research of forestry projects
Kim Rowe - Soybean disease screening research
Brandon Stewart - Beef cattle research projects
Center programs are also conducted by faculty based at other U of A Division of Agriculture locations.
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University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture
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University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
E108 AFLS Building
Fayetteville, AR 72701 • USA
Phone (479) 575-4446 • Fax (479) 575-7273
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