Alabama Cooperative Extension Forage Focus Program

Discover better grazing practices

Join us on September 3 at the Alabama Grazing Academy! 🌾 Learn expert strategies to improve pasture management and livestock health. Whether you're a seasoned rancher or new to grazing, this event is for you. Let's build sustainable futures together!

📍 Blount County Extension Office, Cleveland, AL. Don't miss out—visit www.aces.edu/go/AlabamaGrazingAcademy for details!

🐄🌱 Ready to take your grazing management skills to the next level? Join us for the Alabama Grazing Academy 2026! 🌱🐄

Whether you're a seasoned producer or just getting started, this hands-on educational program will provide practical information you can put to work immediately on your operation.

📅 September 3, 2026
⏰ 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Blount County Multipurpose Center

Learn from industry and Extension experts on:
✅ Temporary Fencing
✅ Cowboy Math
✅ Pasture & W**d Management
✅ Hay Economics

Discover strategies to improve grazing efficiency, reduce costs, and make more informed management decisions for your farm.

Register today by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting www.aces.edu/go/AlabamaGrazingAcademy !

Thank you to our partners and sponsors, including The Nature Conservancy, Blount County Cattlemen's Association, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Blount County Soil & Water Conservation District, for supporting this educational opportunity.

au-academics.my.salesforce-sites.com

📍 Wiregrass, we're headed your way!

Join us and Alabama Cattlemen's Association at the upcoming Regional Cattlemen's Conference and hear from members of the Auburn Beef & Forage Team as we discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the beef industry today, including:

- New World Screwworm
- Asian Longhorned Tick
- Emerging technologies in beef cattle management

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and stay ahead of the challenges and innovations shaping the future of cattle production.

🔗 Register today: https://www.bamabeef.org/RegionalCookoutss

The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Zavala County, Texas, which is about 50 miles from the US-Mexico border. This is the first detection of this pest in the United States during this outbreak.

Devastating to warm-blooded animals, the New World screwworm is a live-animal health concern, not a food safety or quality issue. As a preventative measure, livestock producers are encouraged to implement routine fly control in their herds.

If you have a suspected infestation, immediately contact Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier at (334) 240-7253.

For more information about the New World screwworm, read the press release from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries at https://agi.alabama.gov/animalindustries/2026/06/usda-confirms-new-world-screwworm-in-texas/.

It's not every day our team gets to talk small ruminants... This event in North Alabama this week was a treat! Having good grazing management practices in place is essential for all ruminants, no matter their size!

Dr. Leanne Dillard was recognized with the 2025 Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach. A new video highlighting her commitement to the pastures of Alabama has recently been shared and we couldn't be more proud!

Dr Leanne Dillard Receives 2025 Auburn University Award for Excellence in Faculty Outreach Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Did you know the state of Alabama spans an estimated 33,478,560 acres?! That's a lot of land to cover!

Thankfully our Animal Science and Forages Extension Agents are located across the entire state. So, any time you have questions, or are looking to make a change, or need help with something on your operation, please know one of our local Extension agents is there to help!

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln released the latest U.S. Drought Monitor this morning showing widespread drought across most of the country. The Southeast has been especially hard hit with drought severity growing across most states.

https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap.aspx

The entirety of Alabama is now experiencing some level of drought, with the most severe cases impacting the Wiregrass area.

Good news is there does appear to be some sort of hope for relief. The Climate Prediction Center's latest 6-10 Day Precipitation Outlook shows slightly above normal chances for rain for April 21st through the 25th.

In the meantime, you can find additional drought recourses through Alabama Drought Reach on their website: https://aaes.auburn.edu/wrc/extension-outreach2/al-drought-reach/