Alabama Extension to Host Scout Schools In-Person This Year

Clint Thompson Alabama

Cotton plants.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — Who’s interested in learning about crop scouting in-person this year?

A year after switching to a virtual format, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System crops team will host an in-person Cotton and Soybean Scouting Short Course. The scout schools will be hosted in three locations throughout June.

Dates and Times

Extension personnel will host three workshop dates and locations.

June 3

8:30 a.m.

Wiregrass Research and Extension Center

167 State Highway 134 E, Headland, Alabama 36345

Registration: Contact the Henry County Extension office

Contact: Kris BalkcomJessica Kelton or Sedrick Mack

June 8

8 a.m.

Autauga County Extension Office

2226 AL-14 West, Autaugaville, Alabama 36003

Registration:Contact the Autauga County Extension office

Contact: Andrew Sparks or John Vanderford 

June 15

8 a.m.

Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center

9494 Experimental Loop, Madison, Alabama 35756

Registration:Contact the Limestone County Extension office

Contact: Eddie McGriffAndy Page or Tyler Sandlin

Topics of Discussion

Topics of discussion for the scouting short course include cotton insect pests; scouting safety, agronomics and the use of plant growth regulators in cotton; beneficial insects and sporadic cotton pests (north Alabama); peanut update (south Alabama); soybean pests (north and central Alabama); and a field training opportunity.

Scott Graham, an Alabama Extension cotton, soybean and peanut entomologist, said the team will put the proper safety precautions in place in order to make the in-person scouting school safe for everyone.

Graham said the scouting school is an excellent opportunity for producers to refresh their memory.

“We encourage producers to attend scouting school because the pest pressures may be similar year after year, but they certainly have some differences — especially when it comes to control methods,” Graham said. “We work to have all of the information farmers need to head into the growing season with confidence in their ability to spot issues and make treatment applications.”

More Information

For more information, contact the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, the Autauga County Extension Office or the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center.