Retired professor and head emeritus of biosystems engineering Paul...
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Auburn and Alabama Extension lead youth livestock events for 2026
Springtime in Alabama brings a wealth of livestock opportunities for youth to learn, compete and connect statewide. From first-timers to lifelong livestock exhibitors, Alabama youth will find livestock events tailored to every experience level in 2026. Youth livestock...
Auburn University researchers eye sesame as a potential crop
Alabama farmers have seen a virtual plague of challenges in 2025—uncertain international markets, rising input costs, delayed planting, a flash drought and continuing wildlife damage, to name only a few. That’s why researchers at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment...
Eve Brantley named director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Auburn University has named Eve Brantley as the 1862 Extension director for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, effective Jan. 1, 2026, Auburn President...
Auburn and Alabama Extension lead youth livestock events for 2026
Springtime in Alabama brings a wealth of livestock opportunities for youth to learn, compete and connect statewide. From first-timers to lifelong livestock exhibitors,...
Auburn University researchers eye sesame as a potential crop
Sesame, with its resistance to wildlife damage, is being seen as a potential crop for Alabama farmers.
Will Rich selected spring 2025 student marshal
Advises future ag students to get involved The spring 2025 graduation marshal for the Auburn University College of Agriculture is a familiar face around Comer Hall. Will Rich was selected from among the agriculture spring graduates to represent the college at the...
Batchelor named Water Resources Center Director
William Batchelor has been tapped as the new director of the Auburn University Water Resources Center, effective immediately. As director, he will lead a team of scientists working with communities, farmers, governments and agencies across Alabama to improve water...
Kumar awarded LEAP Summer Momentum Fellowship
Sudhanshu Kumar, a Ph.D. student in the Hydroclimate Research Group within the Department of Crop, Soil & Environmental Sciences, has been selected for the 2025 LEAP Summer Momentum Fellowship — a prestigious and highly competitive opportunity for doctoral...
Predicting investment returns for crop irrigation
New model to help farmers make better investment decisions By Danielle Lunny Alabama farmers considering investing in irrigation equipment will soon have a free, comprehensive online tool to help them decide. A new prediction model will combine weather and economic...
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...
Pest management solutions: Faculty and students receive regional recognition
Auburn University graduate students and one faculty member rose above and beyond for this year’s Southern Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Awards. For the first time, two Auburn doctoral candidates, Caitlyn Lawton and Rogan Tokach, were honored for their achievements...
Going Green: Blersch’s lab addresses crucial environmental work
By Amy Weaver Contrary to what the name might suggest, the work currently happening in the Green Infrastructure Lab at Auburn has nothing to do with green-colored roads or buildings. No Emerald City here. “Green infrastructure is an approach to managing water and...
Three students receive presidential awards
Three students in the College of Agriculture recently received distinguished honors from the Auburn University President’s Office. Savannah Busby received the Presidential Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, a highly competitive opportunity awarded to only a few incoming...
Taylor named head of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
Following a national search, Mykel Taylor was named head of the Auburn University Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, effective April 15. She had served as interim head of the department since fall 2024. “Dr. Taylor’s effective leadership, along...
2025 Alabama Water Resources Conference now accepting abstracts
The Alabama Water Resources Conferences is accepting abstract submissions until May 23. Submissions considered include lightning talks, standard oral presentations and poster presentations. For more information or to submit an abstract, visit the conference website at...
Applied biotechnology student receives prestigious internship
Auburn University College of Agriculture student Leah Johnson received a highly competitive collegiate internship with HudsonAlpha, a premier institute for biotechnology. She is the second student from the applied biotechnology major in the Department of Entomology...
Three students receive 2025 Comer Awards
Hosted by the College of Sciences and Mathematics, in collaboration with the College of Agriculture, this year’s Comer Awards were presented to three graduating Auburn University students….
Researchers’ report informs governor’s strategic plan
Alabama’s $123 billion agriculture industry has identified land loss, profitability and transportation infrastructure among its most pressing challenges in a recent report. The findings of the report will inform Gov. Kay Ivey’s strategic economic growth plan,...
Geoff Williams named director of new Bee Center
Geoff Williams, associate professor, graduate program officer and longtime director of the AU-Bees Lab, is director of the new Auburn University Bee Center, effective Tuesday, April 1. In February, the Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Auburn...
Innovating solutions to agricultural challenges
A team of both doctoral and undergraduate biosystems engineering students is tackling the age-old problem of precise fertilizer application with cutting-edge drone technology. According to NASA, they’re tackling it well.
Decoding Dicamba
Auburn researchers help farmers adapt to EPA changes This year, major regulatory changes enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will affect farmers nationwide, specifically herbicide use for soybean and cotton producers. For 2025, dicamba herbicide...
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...
Weed Bionomics Lab leads fight against No. 1 crop pest
Imagine a weed that can produce 600,000 seeds per plant and grow as much as 2.5 inches per day. Such a weed exists, and it’s not being grown somewhere in a secure lab — it’s widespread in the fields of Alabama farmers and throughout the United States. This “super”...
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...
New Alabama Extension specialist for cotton to start in July
Effective July 1, 2025, Josh Lee will join Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System as an extension specialist for cotton. His responsibilities will include in-service training for extension agents, conveying information about new developments...
The Comer 150 Campaign: Rebuilding a legacy for tomorrow
As the College of Agriculture at Auburn University celebrated 150 years in 2022, it also announced plans to renovate its administrative building, Comer Hall. Last November, the Board of Trustees approved a comprehensive renovation of the building, including project...
Mahas part of first team to investigate Southern cotton leafroll dwarf virus management
As John Mahas prepared for a move to start postdoctoral research at Cornell University, he was still wrapping up research in the Auburn University lab where he earned his master’s and doctorate. It was here he focused his work on managing the emerging cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV) and its vector, the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii. This research led to the publication of two peer-reviewed papers, one of which marked a first in the Southeastern United States.
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.
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.
Promoting blueberry production in Alabama
As the U.S. celebrates National Blueberry Month in July, researchers in the Auburn College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station are looking for ways to boost blueberry production in the state by introducing more profitable cultivars for both field and protected cultivation.
Understanding the role of the soil microbiome in plant health
Soil scientist Audrey Gamble is working to improve sustainability of cotton production by improving soil microbial structure and function.
Mullenix named animal sciences department head
Kim Mullenix will serve as the next head of the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences, effective Aug. 19.
Auburn scientists begin project to build robot to help ornamental plant growers
An AI-powered robot will be able to inventory thousands of plants while also collecting data on plant growth, pests and diseases.
Sustainable beef production system could improve profitability
Sometimes, one Auburn University researcher says, it makes sense to increase input costs in one part of the system if it means costs are decreased somewhere else or the profit margin of the system is increased.
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.
Horticulture’s Kaylen Anderson wins Employee of the Year
“It’s a dream to work for Auburn. I love Auburn,” Anderson said. “I’m forever grateful for the experience, the amazing people I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made.”
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station purchases property in Autaugaville
The Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station closed on a new 904-acre property in Autaugaville May 16. The $5.15 million purchase was…
Endowed Professor Nannan Liu demonstrates excellence in research
A seasoned researcher and administrator in the Auburn University College of Agriculture and one of the top 2% of entomologists in the world got her start in the field because of the kindness of a neighbor.
The Market at Ag Heritage Park to return to campus May 23
Auburn University’s only farmers’ market returns to campus on Thursday, May 23…
$750K grant allows faculty to help rural Alabamians
Farmers often lament the land lost to suburban sprawl, but across the South, a land mass roughly the size of New Jersey is stuck in a legal limbo known as heirs’ property.
Corley Williams selected spring 2024 College of Agriculture student marshal
The spring 2024 graduation marshal for the Auburn University College of Agriculture is a Blountsville, Alabama, native with farm management plans on the horizon.
Three ag faculty members complete national LEAD21 program
Three faculty members from the Auburn University College of Agriculture were among 88 nationally to complete the 2023-24 LEAD21 leadership-development program. They were Jeremiah Davis, professor and director of the National Poultry Technology Center; Kim Mullenix,...
Chera Howard places second in Tiger Cage Pitch Competition
College of Agriculture student Chera Howard placed second in a competition that started with 21 student-led business startups competing for $80,000 in seed funding. The 2024 Tiger Cage Business Pitch Competition concluded on March 29 when the six teams who advanced to...
Variety testing program’s stakeholders to benefit from new collaboration
By Henry Jordan Thanks to a grant from the National Peanut Board, a new multistate collaboration will allow the Auburn University Official Variety Testing (OVT) program to provide its stakeholders access to new data. The OVT first contracted with Medius Ag, a...
Rodrigues wins early career award for young professionals
An Auburn University assistant professor and Alabama Extension specialist earned an early career award for her research and extension work to address the needs of the local and regional fresh produce industry. Camila Rodrigues — a researcher for the Alabama...
Dennis Brothers honored with SAEA Outstanding Extension Project Award
Dennis Brothers received the Southern Agricultural Economics Association’s Outstanding Extension Project Award at its annual meeting in early February. Brothers is an associate extension professor in the university’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural...
Celebrating Black History Month: Auburn Alumni Who Are Making Strides in Ag
starting as an Assistant Professor of Entomology this Fall at Ohio State University.In coordination with Auburn University’s Office of Inclusion and Diversity (OID), Auburn Agriculture is taking the month of February to recognize the past, present and future...