Brent Woolley

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center

6883 South State Highway 23

Booneville AR 72927

(479)675-3834

     James Brent Woolley started working at the Dale Bumpers Small Farm Research Center in the summer of 1998 as a student worker. Working each summer with Animal Scientists and Agronomist while earning a Bachelor’s degree. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication Business Administration/Marketing from Ouachita Baptist University in 2003. In the fall of 2003 he began working for Dale Bumpers Small Farm Research Center full time. In 2007 he earned a position as an Agricultural Research Science Technician working for an Animal Scientist. Research objectives were to provide fundamental knowledge of grazing management systems that enhance animal production while minimizing costly inputs. The research objectives were to: 1) identify physiological measurements associated with growth and development of cattle; 2) determine relationships among nutrition, hormones, and reproduction in cattle; 3) evaluate nutritional, management, and production methods that influence the health of cattle and the subsequent quality of the food product; and 4) develop practical methods/practices that increase value of cattle and reduce input costs on farms, in particular, practices that minimize economic losses from tall fescue toxicosis. In 2011 he started working for an Agronomist in Agroforestry. These projects provided information on best management practices for pine agroforestry. Determining effects of tree spacing, nitrogen fertilizer, alley crop-tree-pine straw harvesting, and tillage in loblolly pine agroforestry practices. Identify tree planting designs and forage-tree combinations that optimize ecosystem productivity. Measure competitive and complementary biophysical interactions between crop-tree components. Investigate effects of cultural practices and management on forage physiology, yield, botanical composition, and tree growth. Examine the potential off nontraditional forages that may be adapted to the region.   Currently he is working for a Soil Scientist developing improved agricultural management practices, and investigating their effects on water, soil, crops, and nutrient-use efficiency. Implement design changes on a poultry litter subsurface applicator designed to improve productivity, reduce nutrient loss, and conserve pasture agroecosystems .