Alabama producers can prepare for the upcoming growing seasons at the 2019 Row Crops Short Course in Auburn, Alabama. The course will be held at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center, Dec. 10, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University’s department of crop, soil and environmental sciences are partnering to bring producers an all-encompassing event. The topics of the course will focus on understanding the current market conditions, improving farm practices and increasing profitability in corn, cotton peanut, soybean and wheat production systems.
Audrey Gamble, an Alabama Extension soil scientist, said the faculty and agents are once again working across production lines to equip farmers with relevant research and information.
“We have a top-notch line-up of speakers this year,” said Gamble, who is also an assistant professor in Auburn University’s department of crop, soil and environmental science. “We are particularly excited to have Daniel Whitley, associate administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service—who advises the presidential administration on issues affecting U.S. agriculture, speaking on U.S. trade policy. This is a very important topic for our producers.”
Topics
Some of the topics at the short course include the following as well as others.
• U.S. trade policy effect on crop outlooks.
• Use of cotton checkoff dollars.
• Irrigation expansion in Alabama.
• Cotton insects and the lygus trait.
• Nematode control in row crop systems.
• Resistant weed control.
• Precision planting.
The course will include presenters from:
• Auburn University.
• USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.
• USDA Agricultural Research Services.
• National Cotton Council.
• University of Georgia.
• Mississippi State University.
• University of Florida.
• Louisiana State University.
“We will also feature two Alabama farmer panels this year—one focused on high-yield cotton production and another focused on high-yield corn production,” Gamble said. “This will be a great opportunity for producers to connect with each other and learn what production issues are being faced across the state.
The short course will conclude with a social event and entertainment.
More Information
For updates on the agenda, registration and hotel booking, visit the Alabama Row Crops Short Course web page. There is no registration fee for this course, but registration is required and must be done by Nov. 30. To register, visit the online registration website.
Continuing education units and pesticide points will be available for all attendees. A complete listing of CEUs and Pesticide Applicator points available will be listed on the event website by Nov. 30.
Alabama Extension contributed this article.