A fierce battle is being waged between cotton and polyester, with polyester edging ahead as the most widely used fiber in the world, for now. In fact, synthetic materials account for more than half of today’s overall market share.
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Articles
Latest
Better than he found it: Patterson steps down as agriculture dean, experiment station director
Effective Jan. 1, Paul Patterson is stepping away from his roles as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. He led both to record numbers in the areas of teaching, research and outreach since he assumed the...
Researchers study potential savings from reducing time on feed for weaned pigs
Research made possible by $300,000 USDA-NIFA grant The scale of pork production in the U. S. is such that reducing the average pig’s time on feed by just one day can put $76 million back into pork producers’ pockets. Animal scientists at Auburn University are...
Water Resources Conference attracts record crowd, hosts student research awards
The Auburn University Water Resources Center welcomed a record 370 attendees to its annual Alabama Water Resources Conference in Orange Beach Sept. 4-6. The conference...
New short corn not ‘as high as an elephant’s eye’
The line from the classic musical “Oklahoma” that refers to corn being “as high as an elephant’s eye” would not apply to some of the new hybrids becoming available to...
Water Resources Center engages community in Moore’s Mill Creek Planning
As a project manager with Auburn’s Water Resource Center, Cooley manages watershed restoration projects and educates communities on how to care for rivers, streams and creeks.
Exploring solar power for modern poultry farms
National Poultry Technology Center The ever‐evolving modern poultry house has gained numerous energy efficiencies over the last few years. Improvements in tightening techniques and insulation technology and in ventilation systems, control systems, lighting and...
2016 Ag Roundup set for Oct. 1 before AU homecoming game
Auburn University’s Ag Heritage Park is the place to be on homecoming Saturday, Oct. 1, as the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Association and the College of Agriculture present the 2016 Fall Roundup and Taste of Alabama Agriculture. A homecoming pregame tradition, Ag...
Extension survey first step in research project on loropetalum disease
Researchers with Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) and Auburn University are conducting a statewide voluntary survey to determine the reach of a disease affecting loropetalum plants in nurseries. It's the first step in a farm bill-funded research...
Climate variability impacts crop yields
by PAUL HOLLIS Long-term climate change combined with climate variability influenced by El Niño and La Niña phases of ENSO are having a significant impact on corn yields in Alabama, according to a study co-authored by Auburn University researcher Brenda Ortiz. “If we...
Caution is key in using new herbicide systems
by PAUL HOLLIS Promising new herbicide technology could give Alabama farmers a powerful weapon in their battle against pigheaded pigweed, but growers must be alert to the chemicals’ negative impact on nearby crops. The new herbicide-resistance systems—a key topic...
Ag Discovery Adventure 2016 set for Oct. 8 at E.V. Smith
Folks of all ages can get an entertaining, enlightening and up-close look at the fascinating world of agriculture during the fifth annual Ag Discovery Adventure, set for Saturday, Oct. 8, at Auburn University’s E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter. The free,...
Julie Howe: a passion for chemistry and brewing
by PAUL HOLLISJulie Howe’s passion for craft beers and brewing began when she was pursuing her Ph.D. in soil science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.“Everyone there was drinking beer that tasted better than what I was accustomed to, so I acquired a taste for...
Researchers battle cotton, soybean pests
by PAUL HOLLISNorth Alabama legislators and agricultural leaders got an update on the 2016 growing season and a review of some of the latest crop research during an open house tour at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in July.“It’s been a mixed bag as...
Systems-management approach adds value to beef cattle
by PAUL HOLLISResearchers at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in north Alabama are working to provide a systems-management approach that would add value and profits to beef cattle operations throughout the state.The multi-year demonstration project...
Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center hosts open house tour
by PAUL HOLLISThe Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina hosted an open house tour on July 19 to help inform state legislators and other leaders in agriculture about projects underway at the center. Participants also learned of Alabama...
Invitation to participate in beef study
Consumers of beef are invited to participate in a research study to investigate consumer behaviors regarding fresh red meat product handling. The study is being conducted by Derek Griffing, Ph.D. student, under the direction of Christy Bratcher, associate professor in...
State’s burgeoning craft beer industry could profit crop producers
Researchers in Auburn’s College of Agriculture have embarked on a project to offer recommendations for farmers in the state who are interested in adding potential profit-makers to their crop mix.
New program aims to improve quality of Alabama cow herds
by PAUL HOLLISA quality replacement heifer is the genetic building block for any cow herd and the key to profitability for cattle producers. But proper development requires many complex management decisions, along with adequate land and facilities.The Sand Mountain...
Weaver is strong advocate of GMO technology
by DAVID REARDONDavid Weaver, one of the best known and longest tenured professors in Auburn’s College of Agriculture, is practically a walking encyclopedia of agronomy. This is obvious to the students and colleagues who have had the opportunity to ask him a...
Auburn scientists discover process regulating insecticide resistance in mosquitoes
A team of Auburn University research entomologists probing the molecular processes that lead to insecticide resistance in mosquitoes has determined that a family of signaling molecules known as G-protein-coupled receptors controls the genes associated with resistance...
Auburn researchers tracking the sources of bird flu
by PAUL HOLLISAvian influenza—commonly known as bird flu or AIV—has proven to be a serious threat to poultry flocks worldwide, making it all the more important that researchers learn how it spreads to poultry farms.That’s the aim of continuing work by Auburn...
Journal article details catfish genome sequencing
by PAUL HOLLISThe sequencing of the channel catfish genome—considered one of the major milestones in the annals of Auburn University research—has been detailed in an article published in the June 2 issue of Nature Communications, an international multidisciplinary...
Canola added to Alabama crop rotations
Alabama Cooperative Extension SystemAUBURN, Ala.—Golden fields lined rural highways in central and northern parts of the state this spring as producers add canola to crop rotations.Alabama Extension Crop Specialist Dennis Delaney said farmers are incorporating the...
Construction underway at Auburn's poultry research and education center
AUBURN, Ala.—Alabama’s largest agricultural industry is seeing construction begin this week on a comprehensive, state-of-the-art research and teaching facility at Auburn University. The university’s Department of Poultry Science and National Poultry Technology Center...
First Auburn/AAES–Cuba grants support research collaborations
AUBURN, Ala.— Six research projects that aim to encourage and advance academic collaborations between Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station researchers at Auburn University and scientists at Cuban agricultural universities and research centers are underway, funded...
Cow-calf production focus of 2016 beef conference Aug. 13 in Auburn
AUBURN, Ala.—The Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University will host its 2016 Beef Cattle Conference Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena on the Auburn campus. The conference, themed “Playing above the Curve: Innovations for the Cow-Calf...
Exploring solar power for modern poultry farms
National Poultry Technology Center The ever‐evolving modern poultry house has gained numerous energy efficiencies over the last few years. Improvements in tightening techniques and insulation technology and in ventilation systems, control systems, lighting and...
2016 Ag Roundup set for Oct. 1 before AU homecoming game
Auburn University’s Ag Heritage Park is the place to be on homecoming Saturday, Oct. 1, as the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Association and the College of Agriculture present the 2016 Fall Roundup and Taste of Alabama Agriculture. A homecoming pregame tradition, Ag...
Extension survey first step in research project on loropetalum disease
Researchers with Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) and Auburn University are conducting a statewide voluntary survey to determine the reach of a disease affecting loropetalum plants in nurseries. It's the first step in a farm bill-funded research...
Climate variability impacts crop yields
by PAUL HOLLIS Long-term climate change combined with climate variability influenced by El Niño and La Niña phases of ENSO are having a significant impact on corn yields in Alabama, according to a study co-authored by Auburn University researcher Brenda Ortiz. “If we...
Caution is key in using new herbicide systems
by PAUL HOLLIS Promising new herbicide technology could give Alabama farmers a powerful weapon in their battle against pigheaded pigweed, but growers must be alert to the chemicals’ negative impact on nearby crops. The new herbicide-resistance systems—a key topic...
Ag Discovery Adventure 2016 set for Oct. 8 at E.V. Smith
Folks of all ages can get an entertaining, enlightening and up-close look at the fascinating world of agriculture during the fifth annual Ag Discovery Adventure, set for Saturday, Oct. 8, at Auburn University’s E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter. The free,...
Julie Howe: a passion for chemistry and brewing
by PAUL HOLLISJulie Howe’s passion for craft beers and brewing began when she was pursuing her Ph.D. in soil science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.“Everyone there was drinking beer that tasted better than what I was accustomed to, so I acquired a taste for...
Researchers battle cotton, soybean pests
by PAUL HOLLISNorth Alabama legislators and agricultural leaders got an update on the 2016 growing season and a review of some of the latest crop research during an open house tour at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in July.“It’s been a mixed bag as...
Systems-management approach adds value to beef cattle
by PAUL HOLLISResearchers at the Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in north Alabama are working to provide a systems-management approach that would add value and profits to beef cattle operations throughout the state.The multi-year demonstration project...
Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center hosts open house tour
by PAUL HOLLISThe Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina hosted an open house tour on July 19 to help inform state legislators and other leaders in agriculture about projects underway at the center. Participants also learned of Alabama...
Invitation to participate in beef study
Consumers of beef are invited to participate in a research study to investigate consumer behaviors regarding fresh red meat product handling. The study is being conducted by Derek Griffing, Ph.D. student, under the direction of Christy Bratcher, associate professor in...
State’s burgeoning craft beer industry could profit crop producers
Researchers in Auburn’s College of Agriculture have embarked on a project to offer recommendations for farmers in the state who are interested in adding potential profit-makers to their crop mix.
New program aims to improve quality of Alabama cow herds
by PAUL HOLLISA quality replacement heifer is the genetic building block for any cow herd and the key to profitability for cattle producers. But proper development requires many complex management decisions, along with adequate land and facilities.The Sand Mountain...
Weaver is strong advocate of GMO technology
by DAVID REARDONDavid Weaver, one of the best known and longest tenured professors in Auburn’s College of Agriculture, is practically a walking encyclopedia of agronomy. This is obvious to the students and colleagues who have had the opportunity to ask him a...
Auburn scientists discover process regulating insecticide resistance in mosquitoes
A team of Auburn University research entomologists probing the molecular processes that lead to insecticide resistance in mosquitoes has determined that a family of signaling molecules known as G-protein-coupled receptors controls the genes associated with resistance...
Auburn researchers tracking the sources of bird flu
by PAUL HOLLISAvian influenza—commonly known as bird flu or AIV—has proven to be a serious threat to poultry flocks worldwide, making it all the more important that researchers learn how it spreads to poultry farms.That’s the aim of continuing work by Auburn...
Journal article details catfish genome sequencing
by PAUL HOLLISThe sequencing of the channel catfish genome—considered one of the major milestones in the annals of Auburn University research—has been detailed in an article published in the June 2 issue of Nature Communications, an international multidisciplinary...
Canola added to Alabama crop rotations
Alabama Cooperative Extension SystemAUBURN, Ala.—Golden fields lined rural highways in central and northern parts of the state this spring as producers add canola to crop rotations.Alabama Extension Crop Specialist Dennis Delaney said farmers are incorporating the...
Construction underway at Auburn's poultry research and education center
AUBURN, Ala.—Alabama’s largest agricultural industry is seeing construction begin this week on a comprehensive, state-of-the-art research and teaching facility at Auburn University. The university’s Department of Poultry Science and National Poultry Technology Center...
First Auburn/AAES–Cuba grants support research collaborations
AUBURN, Ala.— Six research projects that aim to encourage and advance academic collaborations between Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station researchers at Auburn University and scientists at Cuban agricultural universities and research centers are underway, funded...
Cow-calf production focus of 2016 beef conference Aug. 13 in Auburn
AUBURN, Ala.—The Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University will host its 2016 Beef Cattle Conference Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena on the Auburn campus. The conference, themed “Playing above the Curve: Innovations for the Cow-Calf...