Conservation Client Gateway Helping Alabama Farmers

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind farmers about their secure online portal, Conservation Client Gateway. Alabama State Conservationist, Ben Malone, says this is a great way to take care of business without having to visit your local NRCS office.  Malone notes your local NRCS office can help get you started, or learn more on their website, al.nrcs.usda.gov. …

Alabama Lawmakers Moving Ag Bills Along

Alabama lawmakers met again this past week to discuss a variety of bills, including some of interest to agriculture. Executive director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, Leigha Cauthen, updates where some of those currently stand. 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 …

Women in Ag Numbers on the Rise

Lauryn Bryght of Macon County is part of an expanding group of farmers—women farmers. From 2012 to 2017, the number of women involved in U.S. agriculture grew by nearly 27 percent. Out of 3.4 million farmers nationally, more than 1.2 million are women.  The most recent Census of Agriculture shows a dramatic increase in the number of women in agriculture—a …

Weekly Livestock Market Report for the Week Ending 5-10-19

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida and Georgia, for the week ending May 10, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service. AL Livestock Market Report At Alabama livestock auctions for the week ending May 10, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,400 head compared to 16,723 last week and 12,319 last year. Compared …

Fire Ants Cause Issues for Farmers

Fire ants are a great issue for farmers on many levels. Not only do they cost famers time and money but they can cause damage to equipment. Whether it is in pastures or hay fields, farmers must determine the best option to treat fire ants. Should I Treat My Fields? Dr. Fudd Graham, an Alabama Extension entomologist, said the first step …

Benefits of Irrigation from an IPM Perspective

Water management is one of the most critical issues in modern agriculture. Water resources have been critical to farmers since the advent of agriculture. Proper and timely irrigation is one of the first requirements of a sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) system. Mismanaged water in a vegetable garden or farm can lead to sick plants that makes them more vulnerable …

Thrips Predictor Model Helps Make Cotton Management Decisions

Spring and warmer weather sends producers to the fields in droves, planting and making decisions about the upcoming growing season. Researchers at North Carolina State University helped to remove some guesswork from cotton management by developing the thrips predictor model. Predicting Thrips Ron Smith, an Alabama Extension entomologist, said for many years specialists and producers have assumed the earliest planted …

Alabama Cattlemen Tracking Various Bills

The 2019 Alabama legislative session just passed the half-way point, with various bills of importance to agriculture still being discussed. Erin Beasley, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association executive vice president, says there are various legislative issues continuing to be tracked. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses …

NRCS Announces White Oak Initiative Sign-Up in North Alabama

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced the White Oak Initiative, which is focused on increasing the number of white oak timber stands in the northern part of the state. According to the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Inventory, white oak regeneration is not keeping pace with the amount of white oak timber being harvested. And if this trend is …