Massive Yellow Jacket Nests Appearing

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES) — Imagine a colony of yellow jackets the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, filled with 15,000 of the stinging insects. Now, imagine more than 90 of these super nests in Alabama. It happened in 2006, and Charles Ray, an entomologist working with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said that 2019 may be shaping up to mirror …

The Buzz: Pollinators are Essential

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES)— In the spirit of National Pollinator Week, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System salutes pollinators everywhere who are irreplaceable pieces of the puzzle in gardens, cropland and flowerbeds. Bees are more than honey-makers and hive builders. Bees are essential to the most important part of the food chain—pollination. Importance of Pollinators Bees are essential for the pollination of one-third …

Farmers Preparing for Drought Conditions

While recent rains were welcome, more than 34 percent of Alabama still faces abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. This has many livestock producers worried about providing their animals with enough to eat and drink. Landon Marks, an Alabama Extension animal science regional agent, said some northeastern Alabama areas are starting to see effects of the abnormally dry weather. “Water …

Alabama Beef Summer Grilling Campaign

The Alabama Beef Checkoff program is busy this summer with a brand new promotion. Ali Cantrell, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association director of education and outreach, has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application …

Plant Bugs Put Heavy Pressure on Cotton

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES.edu)—The season’s early onset of drought-like conditions has several insects on the move early. Plant bugs and stink bugs are moving from their wild host plants into cotton earlier than farmers usually expect. Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologist Ron Smith said the plant bug situation is not one producers are unfamiliar with, but earlier action will be required to keep …

Larkin Martin elected to lead Farm Foundation Board

OAK BROOK , IL (Farm Foundation): Alabama farmer Larkin Martin, CEO of Martin Farm, has been elected Chair of the Farm Foundation Board of Directors. Martin, who will serve a two-year term, succeeds Joe Swedberg of Longmont, CO, a retired executive of Hormel Foods Corporation. “With the nation’s agriculture and food sector facing diverse and complex economic and public policy issues, …

Alabama NRCS Announces Riparian Habitat Initiative

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama, in partnership with the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee, has announced a new initiative focused on improving water quality and improving riparian area habitat through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The intent of the initiative is to help landowners limit livestock access to streams, creeks, rivers and other sensitive riparian areas …

NRCS Preparing to Implement 2018 Farm Bill Programs

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff has been busy preparing rules and regulations connected to implementation of 2018 Farm Bill programs. Speaking recently before lawmakers in Washington D.C., NRCS Chief Matt Lohr said they are on track to get things done. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle …