In an already stressful and trying growing season, researchers at...
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Articles
Latest
Organic Opportunity: consumer trends in Alabama organic produce
A recent study conducted by agricultural economists through the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station examined consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for organic produce. In recent years, interest in organic produce has grown significantly; however, many...
Developing high-performing genetic lines and hybrids for the catfish industry
Better breeding ability would make catfish farming more efficient and profitable The $437 million U.S. catfish industry is in need of better genetic and breeding technologies to be competitive with foreign imports. Recently, Auburn scientists have made advances in...
Better than he found it: Patterson steps down as agriculture dean, experiment station director
As 2024 draws to a close, Paul Patterson is stepping away from his roles as dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 1. He led both to record numbers in the areas of teaching, research and outreach since he assume the positions in March 2016…
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...
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...
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...
A nudge toward healthier food choices
In a new study published in the May 16 issue of the Journal of Public Health, Auburn University and Cornell University researchers found that product placement and packaging had a significant impact on what clients selected in a New York State food pantry.
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.
Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments
by RON SMITHThe first major insect we focus on during the cotton production season is thrips. Many have heard and read in recent years about the resistance of thrips to our available seed treatments.Where are we with this issue in Alabama?Just for background, let's...
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.
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...
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...
New soil testing options now available
by PAUL HOLLISAlabama farmers now have new options available when it comes to sampling their soils, including a Soil Quality Index (SQI) and technology that allows for grid sampling.Charles Mitchell, a professor in the College of Agriculture Crop, Soil and...
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...
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...
No off-season for variety trial researchers
Alabama Cooperative Extension System As farmers were planning this year’s crop, Alabama Cooperative Extension professionals and Auburn University College of Agriculture faculty were working ahead to determine the best varieties for farmers across the state....
Working across state lines to increase fruit tree production
Auburn University’s College of Agriculture is working across state lines with other land-grant institutions to help increase fruit tree production in the U.S.Nearly 30 land-grant institutions, representative of the Western, North-Central, Southern and Northeastern...
$2.5 million named gift to honor poultry industry pioneer
AUBURN, Ala.—A new, state-of-the-art poultry science research and education complex to be constructed on the north campus of Auburn University over the next two years will be named in honor of a forward-thinking poultry industry pioneer, thanks to an Atlanta, Georgia,...
Auburn scientists: Widespread outbreak of Zika virus not likely in United States
by MAGGIE LAWRENCE AUBURN, Ala.—Public health officials are working to contain an outbreak of Zika virus across Central and South America. But scientists at Auburn University do not believe that the United States will face the disease in the numbers appearing in...
Precision ag workshop set Jan. 28 in Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. —Auburn University College of Agriculture and Alabama Extension professionals will host a precision agriculture workshop in Auburn Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. Cutting-edge precision agriculture...
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...
A nudge toward healthier food choices
In a new study published in the May 16 issue of the Journal of Public Health, Auburn University and Cornell University researchers found that product placement and packaging had a significant impact on what clients selected in a New York State food pantry.
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.
Status: thrips resistance to cotton insecticide treatments
by RON SMITHThe first major insect we focus on during the cotton production season is thrips. Many have heard and read in recent years about the resistance of thrips to our available seed treatments.Where are we with this issue in Alabama?Just for background, let's...
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.
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...
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...
New soil testing options now available
by PAUL HOLLISAlabama farmers now have new options available when it comes to sampling their soils, including a Soil Quality Index (SQI) and technology that allows for grid sampling.Charles Mitchell, a professor in the College of Agriculture Crop, Soil and...
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...
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...
No off-season for variety trial researchers
Alabama Cooperative Extension System As farmers were planning this year’s crop, Alabama Cooperative Extension professionals and Auburn University College of Agriculture faculty were working ahead to determine the best varieties for farmers across the state....
Working across state lines to increase fruit tree production
Auburn University’s College of Agriculture is working across state lines with other land-grant institutions to help increase fruit tree production in the U.S.Nearly 30 land-grant institutions, representative of the Western, North-Central, Southern and Northeastern...
$2.5 million named gift to honor poultry industry pioneer
AUBURN, Ala.—A new, state-of-the-art poultry science research and education complex to be constructed on the north campus of Auburn University over the next two years will be named in honor of a forward-thinking poultry industry pioneer, thanks to an Atlanta, Georgia,...
Auburn scientists: Widespread outbreak of Zika virus not likely in United States
by MAGGIE LAWRENCE AUBURN, Ala.—Public health officials are working to contain an outbreak of Zika virus across Central and South America. But scientists at Auburn University do not believe that the United States will face the disease in the numbers appearing in...
Precision ag workshop set Jan. 28 in Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. —Auburn University College of Agriculture and Alabama Extension professionals will host a precision agriculture workshop in Auburn Thursday, Jan. 28, at the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center. Cutting-edge precision agriculture...