Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Articles

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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 producers. Reduced-stature corn, also referred to as “short” corn, is a concept that has gained...

Auburn works to bring bold breakthroughs in blueberry research

Auburn works to bring bold breakthroughs in blueberry research

Blueberries, a superfood rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and essential nutrients, are widely celebrated during July for National Blueberry Month. Recognizing the potential within these small yet mighty fruits, researchers at Auburn University work to promote the positive health benefits of blueberries.

Auburn faculty redefining possibilities for use of biochar products in farming

Auburn faculty redefining possibilities for use of biochar products in farming

For researchers studying environmentally friendly farming practices, biochar is a game-changer.
Biochar, a charcoal-like substance created by heating plant waste, is a groundbreaking innovation in the field of sustainable farming. It is beneficial for improving soil quality, recycling organic plant material and capturing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural industry.

Agricultural grants address problems on Alabama farms

Is growing a cover crop on Alabama farms a solution or a problem for growers in the state who are trying to prevent soil and water erosion losses? A grant funded through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station research program for the current fiscal year will...
Rainwater saves time, money for poultry industry

Rainwater saves time, money for poultry industry

Raising broiler chickens takes water—a lot of water. But rainwater harvesting could substantially reduce Alabama poultry growers’ dependence on municipal water sources or well water, reduce growers’ annual water bill by as much as $16,000 or more, and pay for itself in as few as four to five years.

Spring planting time

Spring planting time

Farmers throughout Alabama and the Southeast are gearing up for another spring planting season, with expectations running high for more favorable weather conditions and improved commodity prices compared to this past year. A sure sign that it’s planting time is the release of the USDA Prospective Plantings Report in late March—the first indication of what farmers are considering for the coming season.

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

Technology ensures food safety, from farm to table

by PAUL HOLLIS Imagine a day when a farmer can stand in a field, wave a handheld device over a tomato and detect pathogens immediately, potentially saving lives and billions of dollars. That day might not be far off, thanks to research being conducted by the Alabama...

Fasina named interim associate dean for research and assistant director in agriculture

AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn University Alumni Professor and undergraduate program coordinator Oladiran Fasina has been named interim associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture and interim assistant director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station...

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

AAES high-yield initiative to consider economics, irrigation

Part 2by PAUL HOLLISWhile crops research being conducted by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) is attempting to attain high yields with maximum inputs, economics also are being considered, with an eye toward ensuring cost efficiency for farmers.“We...

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

Patterson named Auburn College of Agriculture dean, AAES director

AUBURN, Ala.— Auburn University alumnus Paul Patterson, who has served as associate dean for instruction in Auburn’s College of Agriculture for almost seven years, has been named dean of the college and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station,...

Appel honored for scientific leadership

Auburn University entomologist Arthur Appel, who most recently served as interim dean of the College of Agriculture and interim director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, has been recognized as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of...

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

AAES research aims to replicate top crop yields

Part 1  by PAUL HOLLIS “How high can crop yields go? Researchers at Auburn University’s Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station intend to find out just that with a new initiative that aims to replicate the outstanding yields being achieved by some of the nation’s top...

Process for approving genetically engineered animals flawed, says AU professor

Process for approving genetically engineered animals flawed, says AU professor

Federal regulators have approved a fast-growing transgenic salmon as the first genetically engineered animal available for human consumption. And while some are hailing it as a historic breakthrough, others are questioning whether the current approval process for the technology is stringent enough to prevent risks to the environment. One of those doing the questioning is Auburn University’s Conner Bailey.

Protecting water quality

Protecting and maintaining our current water supply is a priority of scientists with the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, who were addressing the issue through research aimed at overall environmental quality and sustainability. David Blersch, an ecological...

Rainwater saves time, money for poultry industry

Rainwater saves time, money for poultry industry

Raising broiler chickens takes water—a lot of water. But rainwater harvesting could substantially reduce Alabama poultry growers’ dependence on municipal water sources or well water, reduce growers’ annual water bill by as much as $16,000 or more, and pay for itself in as few as four to five years.

Spring planting time

Spring planting time

Farmers throughout Alabama and the Southeast are gearing up for another spring planting season, with expectations running high for more favorable weather conditions and improved commodity prices compared to this past year. A sure sign that it’s planting time is the release of the USDA Prospective Plantings Report in late March—the first indication of what farmers are considering for the coming season.

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

Technology ensures food safety, from farm to table

by PAUL HOLLIS Imagine a day when a farmer can stand in a field, wave a handheld device over a tomato and detect pathogens immediately, potentially saving lives and billions of dollars. That day might not be far off, thanks to research being conducted by the Alabama...

Fasina named interim associate dean for research and assistant director in agriculture

AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn University Alumni Professor and undergraduate program coordinator Oladiran Fasina has been named interim associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture and interim assistant director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station...

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

AAES high-yield initiative to consider economics, irrigation

Part 2by PAUL HOLLISWhile crops research being conducted by the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) is attempting to attain high yields with maximum inputs, economics also are being considered, with an eye toward ensuring cost efficiency for farmers.“We...

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

Patterson named Auburn College of Agriculture dean, AAES director

AUBURN, Ala.— Auburn University alumnus Paul Patterson, who has served as associate dean for instruction in Auburn’s College of Agriculture for almost seven years, has been named dean of the college and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station,...

Appel honored for scientific leadership

Auburn University entomologist Arthur Appel, who most recently served as interim dean of the College of Agriculture and interim director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, has been recognized as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of...

Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments

AAES research aims to replicate top crop yields

Part 1  by PAUL HOLLIS “How high can crop yields go? Researchers at Auburn University’s Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station intend to find out just that with a new initiative that aims to replicate the outstanding yields being achieved by some of the nation’s top...

Process for approving genetically engineered animals flawed, says AU professor

Process for approving genetically engineered animals flawed, says AU professor

Federal regulators have approved a fast-growing transgenic salmon as the first genetically engineered animal available for human consumption. And while some are hailing it as a historic breakthrough, others are questioning whether the current approval process for the technology is stringent enough to prevent risks to the environment. One of those doing the questioning is Auburn University’s Conner Bailey.

Protecting water quality

Protecting and maintaining our current water supply is a priority of scientists with the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, who were addressing the issue through research aimed at overall environmental quality and sustainability. David Blersch, an ecological...