House Ag Republicans Introduce Broadband for Rural America Act

Washington, D.C. — Nowhere in the country is the “digital divide,” or lack of broadband access, more prevalent than in rural America. Hopefully, that will soon change. House Agriculture Republicans introduced the Broadband For Rural America Act today. It would provide more than $7 billion in authorizations for USDA broadband connectivity programs. It authorizes $3.7 billion per year for critical …

Alabama Extension to Host Scout Schools In-Person This Year

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 …

Irrigation Key During Hot, Dry Conditions

By Clint Thompson Cotton and peanut plantings are well underway across the Southeast. Unfortunately with it being hot and dry, these are not ideal conditions as seed and plants are being put in the ground. Wes Porter, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist, stresses the importance of maintaining moisture in the soil. Irrigation helps promote …

Alabama Cotton Planting Should Accelerate This Week

A week of sunshine is just what the doctor ordered for Alabama cotton producers trying to get this year’s crop planted. Wet weather has stalled plantings so far this spring, says Alabama Extension cotton specialist Steve Brown. “We’ve been a good bit behind. The last few days have helped us. There’s still a few places that are probably a little …

Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Update

Except for a small part of South Florida and portions of South Carolina and North Carolina, the Southeast has sufficient moisture, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia and Alabama received enough rainfall this past week to where there are no parts of either state that are abnormally dry. The only part of Florida that is abnormally dry is the …

USDA Releases Final 2020 Cotton Report

The United States Department of Agriculture released its 2020 final all cotton production report on Wednesday. Becky Sommer with the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Washington D.C. has the final numbers: The 2020 final all cotton production was estimated at 14.6 million 480-pound bales, 27% lower than the 2019 crop. The United States yield for all cotton is estimated at 847 pounds per …

ACA Set to Introduce New Class for Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) is set to introduce Class Eight of the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. The ACA kicks off a new class this week. ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley said there will be 25 producers in this year’s class, ranging from age 21 to age 40, from across the state. They’ll be committing the next eight months …

Implementing Silvopasture Systems in Alabama

Many landowners in Alabama work to keep their land in the best shape possible for future generations, and agroforestry practices help some of those landowners meet this goal. According to an Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) release, one of the most recognized forms of agroforestry is the practice of establishing silvopasture systems. Alabama Extension Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Specialist, Becky Barlow, …