The Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board awarded $78,533 in grants to support five University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture research projects focused on improving wheat production, profitability and market opportunities across the state.
The funded projects address herbicide-resistant weeds, pest management, relay cropping, producer education and a new method of extracting wheat protein.
Paul DeLaune, head of the Division of Agriculture's Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences and the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, said funding from state commodity boards helps researchers conduct proof-of-concept and applied research that benefits producers. He also noted that these projects often attract additional funding, increasing the return on investment for Arkansas farmers.
The largest grant, $20,000, was awarded to Bob Scott, extension weed scientist, and Jason Norsworthy, distinguished professor of weed science, for a project evaluating seed-treatment safeners that could expand herbicide options in wheat production. The research will examine wheat tolerance and weed control in field and greenhouse trials, with an emphasis on herbicide-resistant ryegrass and other troublesome weeds.
Mahfuzur Rahman, assistant professor of food science, received $17,679 to develop a dry electrostatic fractionation process that separates protein-rich flour from Arkansas-grown wheat without using chemicals or water. The project aims to preserve the functional properties of wheat protein while creating higher-value uses for the state's wheat crop.
A $16,700 grant was awarded to Terry Spurlock, professor and extension plant pathologist, to evaluate disease-resistant wheat varieties and the economic return of fungicide applications. The project will use data from statewide variety trials to identify high-yielding varieties with improved disease resistance.
Jason Kelley, professor and extension agronomist for wheat and feed grains, received $14,500 for the Wheat Research Verification Program. The project will support on-farm demonstrations and educational outreach to help producers, extension personnel and crop consultants adopt agronomic and pest management practices that improve wheat yields and profitability under Arkansas conditions.
Justin Chlapecka, assistant professor of crop, soil and environmental sciences, was awarded $9,654 to study the feasibility of relay cropping wheat and soybeans. Researchers will use a proof-of-concept model to determine whether the practice can improve the economic value of wheat production while allowing earlier soybean planting.
Tim Smith, chairman of the Arkansas Wheat Promotion Board, said the investments are intended to strengthen the state's wheat industry through research, market development and education.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Arkansas has averaged 56 bushels of wheat per acre on 156,000 planted acres over the past five years. Planted acreage has ranged from 90,000 to 230,000 acres during that period.
The 2025 Arkansas Agricultural Profile reported the state's previous winter wheat crop was valued at $28.9 million. Arkansas farmers harvested 4.76 million bushels from 85,000 acres.
Source: University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research & Extension, " Wheat Promotion Board Invests $78K in Arkansas Wheat Research, Outreach"