It has been a soggy summer for many of Alabama’s row crop producers. According to the Alabama Mid-Summer Row Crop Update from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), while it made grain harvest difficult, corn and seedling cotton welcomed the rainfall. The report looks at row crop conditions across the state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) planting estimates from June 30 …
ELAP Now Includes Farm-Raised Catfish
Aquaculture producers in Alabama now have access to disaster relief funding in the event of a federal disaster declaration. June 1 is when USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began a policy change to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), the update makes fish raised for food and other aquatic species …
Safely Fumigating Grain Bins
While recent rains have slowed planting progress once again across the Southeast, storage of those grain crops being planted is something to think about. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), grain bin fumigation is a crucial but dangerous aspect of any grain farmer’s operation. They note the process of fumigating for pests begins well before grain enters the …
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, …
Burndown Considerations for Alabama Corn Production
Weed management is a year-round job, but producers take special care to make sound management decisions prior to planting, and that includes cover crop burndown. According to information from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), Alabama Extension Weed Scientist David Russell offers suggestions for planting into a weed-free field and maintaining a clean corn crop throughout the growing season. Russell’s areas of …
Alabama Poultry Producers Receive Relief through CARES Act Funds
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many facets of agriculture, including the poultry industry. In Alabama, commercial poultry production employs more than 86,000 workers industrywide. For this reason, Alabama Extension professionals helped develop and execute a plan to put poultry producers on the map when Alabama CARES Act funds were distributed in the agricultural sector. According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension …
CFAP 2 Reopening and Expanding
Last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2) was reopening for enrollment on April 5th. COVID-19 continues to impact Alabamians, especially farmers, so this updated program is designed to help replenish some of the financial loss. According to an article written by Mary Leigh Oliver, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), the first …
Crop Market Looks Strong, Producers Book Fall Loads
Row crop producers across the country are seeing rising prices and a positive crop market outlook. Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Economist Wendiam Sawadgo said prices are definitely higher than what producers have seen the past few years. “There have been a few factors at play,” Sawadgo said. “Trade with China, especially feed grains, has increased demands for US products. This is …
Alabama Extension Launches Crops Report Podcast
Alabama Extension wants producers across the state to know about the Alabama Crops Report Podcast. The podcast is where information about things like armyworms moving in or Southern rust conditions setting in can be found. The Alabama Extension crops team will bring their expertise to producers through this series, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. …
Alabama Row Crop Specialists Share Expertise Virtually
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists with Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System continue to share their expertise with Southern row crop production. According to an article written by Paul Hollis with Auburn University, these researchers and specialists, along with others from throughout the nation, usually present their findings from the most recent production season during …