Alabama Row Crops

Dr. Grant Gardner is an Assistant Extension Professor of Agricultural Economics at the University of Kentucky. Originally from a corn and soybean farm in southwestern Indiana, he earned degrees from Purdue University, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and Kansas State University.

Grant’s work focuses on commodity markets, crop insurance, and farm management. He delivers roughly 40 presentations each year and develops tools and analysis to help farms of all sizes make informed marketing, risk management, and business decisions. His research and extension programs center on improving the profitability and long-term resilience of farming operations across the region.

🚨 Pest Update: Bean Leaf Beetle in Alabama Soybeans 🚨

Bean leaf beetles are active in soybean fields across Alabama. These small beetles can damage early vegetative stages and spread viruses like bean pod mottle virus.

What to Watch For:
• Small oval beetles with a black triangle behind the head
• Round holes between leaf veins on cotyledons and young leaves
• Beetles often gathering along field edges
Management:
• Use sweep nets to check for adults
• Treat at 35% defoliation during prebloom
• Treat at 20% defoliation from pod set to maturity

Find current thresholds and insecticide options in the Alabama Soybean IPM Guide (IPM-0413) at aces.edu.

For more info click here: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/pests-of-alabama-soybeans-bean-leaf-beetle/

Pests of Alabama Soybeans: Bean Leaf Beetle - Alabama Cooperative Extension System Bean leaf beetles (Cerotoma trifurcata Förster) are a pest commonly found in Alabama soybeans.

Want to know more about the impact of repeated broiler litter on cotton soil fertility?🧑‍🌾

Check out this link below to lead to a study done by the Alabama Row Crops team:

Impact of Repeated Broiler Litter on Cotton Soil Fertility - Alabama Cooperative Extension System Learn the effects of repeated broiler litter application on soil fertility in a continuous cotton system.Recommendations are also provided based on the study.

🌾 New Episode Alert! — Alabama Crops Report Podcast 🎙️
Season 5, Episode 19: Cover Crops

Ever wondered why more Alabama farmers are turning to cover crops? In this episode, hosts Dr. Scott Graham and Dr. Simer Virk talk with Dr. Audrey Gamble and Dr. Chandler Gruener from Auburn University’s College of Agriculture. They break down the why and how of cover crops—from soil health benefits to key considerations before adopting the practice.🚜

Tune in to learn how cover crops can improve sustainability, boost productivity, and make a long-term difference on Alabama farms. 🌱

🎧 Listen now: https://www.aces.edu/blog/podcast/season-5-episode-19-cover-crops/

Season 5 Episode 19—Cover Crops - Alabama Cooperative Extension System On this episode of the Alabama Crops Report, hosts Scott Graham and Simer Virk sit down with Audrey Gamble and Chandler Gruener to discuss cover crops.

Check out this video of one of Dr. Graham’s PhD students, Caitlyn Lawton, and her feature in Alabama Extension!

Acres of Auburn - Caitlyn Lawton and the Wiregrass Research & Extension Center In the premiere episode of Acres of Auburn, join Ph.D. student, Caitlyn Lawton as she explains her projects, the research done at Wiregrass, and how importan...

Register now for our Alabama Row Crops Short Course in January!

Make plans now to attend the Alabama Row Crops Short Course January 20 - 21, 2026. Researchers, industry representatives, and Extension experts will be on hand to deliver the latest information about row crop management and production.

Registration is now open and is free until January 11.

Find out more about the Row Crops Short Course at https://www.aces.edu/go/3764.

🚜 Farm Service Agency Offices Temporarily Reopen During Government Shutdown

The USDA has temporarily reopened all Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices across the country, allowing limited staff to restore key services for farmers.

According to Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist and Auburn University associate professor, this timing is critical:

“Harvest time can be very difficult on cash flow, as all of the money has been spent to grow the crop.”

Farmers can now access essential programs like:
✅ Marketing Assistance Loans
✅ Price Loss Coverage (PLC)
✅ Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC)

These programs provide short-term support and help farmers manage market challenges during harvest season.

🔗 Learn more about the reopening and available programs: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/farm-service-agency-offices-temporarily-reopen-during-government-shutdown/

Farm Service Agency Offices Temporarily Reopen During Government Shutdown - Alabama Cooperative Extension System While the federal government shutdown continues, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently reopened all Farm Service Agency county offices.

Today, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of our nation’s veterans. Alabama Extension is grateful for the men and women who have defended our freedoms and continue to inspire our communities.

Thank you, veterans.

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 13th annual Alabama Row Crops Short Course. It will be held January 20-21, 2026 in Prattville. Numerous topics will be covered for all aspects of row crop farming. CCA points for nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management and crop management will be offered along with pesticide points. Registration is free until January 11, 2026, after that it will be $40. See the flyer below for more details or click on the link to register https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/crop-production/alabama-row-crops-short-course/

🚜 Become a Certified Restricted Use Pesticide Dealer in Alabama!

The Alabama Restricted Use Pesticide Dealer Course helps applicants meet the requirements for their dealer license through convenient, self-paced online training. 🌿

💻 Two online training modules
🎓 Must score 70% or higher (multiple attempts allowed!)
📅 Complete within 180 days
💲Course fee: $35
💲Application fee: $45 (paid separately to ADAI)

Register today and find more information here: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/pesticides/restricted-use-pesticide-dealer-examination-online-course/

More on Cotton Jassids, a great article published by Dr. Scott Graham!

Every year, there are many unknowns as one cotton season ends and preparations for the next begin. In 2026, there may be more unknowns than at any time in recent history for cotton producers in the Southeastern US.

Collaborative research, observations from research, and Extension entomologists at Auburn University, Clemson University, the University of Florida, and the University of Georgia have some answers for cotton producers regarding the cotton gassed going into 2026.

Learn about Extension's continued efforts to support cotton producers here: https://www.aces.edu/go/5571