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The buck stops here: Auburn University finding solutions to deer damage in crops
From seed selection to pesticide application, farmers work diligently to manage every factor that influences yield—but wildlife damage in row crops remains one of the most troublesome aspects to control. To help find solutions, assistant professor and Alabama...
Ally Jackson working toward third poultry science degree from Auburn
By Machaira Christopher When Ally Jackson first came to Auburn, she felt at home — so much so that she stayed for three degrees. Having completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in poultry science on the Plains, Jackson is currently working toward a doctorate in...
The buck stops here: Auburn University finding solutions to deer damage in crops
From seed selection to pesticide application, farmers work diligently to manage every factor that influences yield—but wildlife damage in row crops remains one of the...
Ally Jackson working toward third poultry science degree from Auburn
By Machaira Christopher When Ally Jackson first came to Auburn, she felt at home — so much so that she stayed for three degrees. Having completed her bachelor’s and...
Auburn University researchers target horn flies in fight for cattle health
The common parasitic horn fly (Haemotabia irritans) can drain up to a pint of cow blood every week, and they are fast becoming resistant to insecticide. Researchers at...
Beck earns two awards for academic advising excellence
Mallory Beck, academic advisor for the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s Department of Animal Sciences, recently received two awards recognizing her excellence in her profession. Beck received the Outstanding New Advisor Award from the Provost’s Office’s 2025...
$4 million grant takes efficient crop management practices to the farm
Auburn University researchers and Alabama Extension specialists are taking their expertise from labs and small experimental plots to Alabama farmers’ fields with a $4 million grant from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The grant aims to increase...
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…
National survey indicates highest bee colony losses in 14 years
The annual U.S. Beekeeping Survey, designed and administered by Auburn University and Apiary Inspectors of America, indicates the highest colony losses since the 2010-11 beekeeping season, when colony loss rates were first determined. U.S. beekeepers lost an estimated...
Three Auburn ag researchers to present at January regional farming conference
Auburn University’s Kip Balkcom, Eddie McGriff and Simerjeet Virk will be among the researchers presenting at the National Conservation Systems Cotton and Rice, Southern Soybean and Corn, Delta States Irrigation and Southern Precision Ag conferences being held Jan. 27...
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...
Networking in action: poultry science students explore Aviagen’s research center
Networking with industry professionals is a crucial step to success for any undergraduate student. It is especially important for students studying poultry science at Auburn University, as the broiler industry is Alabama’s top agricultural commodity. Making...
Graduation marshal Rachel Robinson sets sights on vet school
Auburn University Marching Band member Rachel Robinson has one more march to make. The animal sciences (pre-vet) major is the student marshal for the College of Agriculture at the 2024 winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14. Robinson’s time as an...
Using thermal imaging to measure peanut physiological characteristics
Auburn-developed method could advance efforts to breed a drought-tolerant peanut Auburn University researchers have devised a new means of measuring the physiological characteristics of peanut plants that should prove to be instrumental in speeding the breeding...
Taking the guesswork out of catfish sperm quality
Catfish farmers may be hurting their profitability by needlessly sacrificing male catfish when collecting sperm for breeding, according to a recent Auburn study. The same study discovered the indicators farmers commonly use to select males for breeding, like head size...
Appel named interim dean and director for College of Agriculture, Experiment Station
Arthur Appel will serve as interim dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture and interim director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective Jan. 1. Appel has served in his current role as associate dean for research and assistant director of...
Rypel named director of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences
Andrew L. Rypel will serve as director of the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, effective March 22. He comes from the University of California at Davis, where he currently serves as director of the Center for Watershed Resources...
Wright named ASHS Fellow
Amy Wright, professor of horticulture and associate dean for instruction, was named an American Society for Horticultural Science Fellow at the society’s annual conference Sept. 23-27. ASHS is globally recognized as one of the most respected and influential...
Ru wins ASHS Early Career Competition
Sushan Ru, assistant professor of horticulture, won first place in the Early Career Competition at the American Society for Horticultural Science Annual Conference Sept. 23-27. ASHS is globally recognized as one of the most respected and influential professional...
Auburn research looks to control deer feeding on row crops
When can there be too many deer even for a hunting enthusiast? When that same enthusiast is a row-crop farmer, and the deer are using their fields as an all-you-can-eat buffet. While deer grazing on crops has been a consistent problem for decades, it has escalated in...
Measuring the impact of natural light on chicken production
The average broiler chicken lives 6–8 weeks and spends much of that time indoors, but researchers at Auburn University are investigating the use of natural light in broiler houses and its effects on bird performance and welfare. A team of agricultural engineers,...
Bullard, Brantley named Alumni Professors
Two College of Agriculture faculty members were announced among Auburn University’s five 2024 Alumni Professors Sept. 20. Eve Brantley, a professor and associate director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, is a renowned expert in water quality and...
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 has been held since 1987. This year’s conference included eighty undergraduate and graduate students...
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...
Finding frost-tolerant blueberries for Alabama growers
Alabama blueberry farmers could soon start growing more frost-tolerant cultivars thanks to recent research at Auburn University. Most Alabama growers are still heavily relying on the native species rabbiteye (Vaccinium virgatum Ait), while producers in neighboring...
College of Agriculture hosts 45th annual Ag Roundup
The 45th annual Ag Roundup, hosted by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Club and Auburn University College of Agriculture, will take place Sept. 14, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at Ag Heritage Park on the Auburn campus. The event is a Homecoming weekend tradition for alumni and...
Graduate student focuses on important Listeria prevention
International student Sierra finds passion for food science By Rachel Damiani Katherine Sierra, an Auburn University master’s student in food science, has won multiple awards that hinge on her public speaking ability, including a third-place award for her poster...
Auburn part of NSF’s $56 million investment in climate change research
The Auburn University College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station were awarded approximately $6 million from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) for a four-year project entitled “Developing effective adaptation strategies to enhance...
Advice to new students from senior Morgan Adams
Adams shares her uncommon tips for how to succeed at Auburn Okay, listen up. When it comes to college, everyone has advice and something to say. But I’m here to tell you what they don’t always get to and to set a couple things straight. So, if you’re new to Auburn, or...
Mariannah Harding earns master’s in horticulture at 18
As 18-year-old Mariannah Harding straightened her master’s regalia on Samford Lawn, she reflected on the days she worked in Auburn University’s most iconic building. “I watered the plants in Samford Hall,” she said. “I remember looking outside, watching students take...
Auburn ag merch available for shipping
You asked, we answered. Shipping is now available for the Auburn Agriculture Merch Store, and orders will start to roll out beginning early next week. While the store launched in January for in-store pickups, we didn’t forget about all those comments and questions...
Meet 7 outstanding members of the class of 2023
Auburn University will confer degrees upon hundreds of new alumni the weekend of May 6, and the College of Agriculture is proud of its exceptional members of the 2023 graduating class. Read below about seven who excelled during their time here and are headed on to...
USDA appoints Bourassa to food safety advisory committee
An Auburn University associate professor and Extension specialist has been appointed to the USDA National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). “I am honored to accept this appointment to the USDA National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry...
Spring 2023 Graduates to be recognized by Auburn College of Agriculture
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 Spring GRADUATES! The College of Agriculture announces its spring 2023 graduates. The commencement ceremony for the College of Agriculture will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 6 p.m. We would like to recognize the dedication and perseverance...
Precision planter training offered by Vantage South March 3
Vantage South will offer precision planter training March 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter. Lunch and drinks will be provided by Vantage South. Advance registration is required using the event’s online registration form. The day...
Former Dean Richard Guthrie passes away
Richard Guthrie, former dean of the Auburn University College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, passed away Jan. 23. “Dr. Guthrie was a dear friend and mentor to many of us and was a highly respected leader for our college,...
Harrison Estes thrives in applied biotechnology major
Auburn agriculture senior finds success in his major Do you know what applied biotechnology is? Harrison Estes — a senior majoring in applied biotechnology — defines it as “the study and practice of genetic modification for industrial, medical and agricultural...
Starkey, Wilson recognized with Auburn Faculty Awards
Faculty members Jessica Starkey and Alan Wilson of the Auburn University College of Agriculture were recognized with Auburn Faculty Awards at a banquet Nov. 17. Starkey, associate professor of poultry science, was one of three faculty members receiving an Alumni...
Fisheries lab joins U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on $5 million project
The Southeastern Cooperative Fish Parasite and Disease Laboratory — a multistate fish disease diagnostics laboratory that is part of the College of Agriculture’s School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences — has recently joined with the U.S. Fish and...
Animal sciences department hosts foreign embassies for study tour
The Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences hosted 12 foreign embassies for a study tour of beef cattle production systems in the Southeastern U.S. October 19-21. The delegation included representatives from Australia, Germany, France, Italy, Latvia, the...
Wilson receives Auburn’s highest faculty honor
Alan Wilson, a professor in the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, has been awarded the university’s Gerald and Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching for 2022. The Leischuck Award is the highest...
Student named to national FFA officer team
A student in the Auburn University College of Agriculture who was a 2019-2020 Alabama state Future Farmers of America officer was selected as a member of the Nominating Committee for the 2022-2023 National Future Farmers of America officer team. Ka’Shiya McKinney is a...
Auburn College of Agriculture honors outstanding students and 2022 fall graduates
Two outstanding students, JT Mumber (below, left) and Perian Reese (below, right), from the Auburn University College of Agriculture are recipients of the college’s Student Marshal and Dean’s Award. The final selection was made by the scholarship committee. We...
Lecturer asks: What has ag research done for you?
What has agricultural research done for you? It’s a fair enough question, and one that many of us might have a problem answering. But the answers are numerous enough to fill a book or two, which is exactly what Gale Buchanan has done. Buchanan, who spent the first 21...
Water Resources Center, AU Bees Lab partner with city to promote natural resources stewardship
Alabama Watershed Stewards and Alabama Water Watch, along with the AU Bees Lab and Westervelt Ecological Resources, are partnering with the city of Auburn through a recently awarded grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for 2022-23. Alabama Watershed...
Colleges of Agriculture, Engineering launch 150th anniversary celebration
In 1872, Auburn got a new name. And a new purpose. The world hasn’t been the same since. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Auburn’s reorganization under the Morrill Act from East Alabama Male College into the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama,...
College of Agriculture hosts 43rd annual Ag Roundup
The 43rd annual Ag Roundup, hosted by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Club and the College of Agriculture at Auburn University, will return to campus on Saturday, Sept. 24, offering a special opportunity for agriculture alumni and friends to gather for a day of...