Albama Extension:Cotton Scouting School Course Set for June 5

Jun 03, 2014

By Maggie Lawrence, Alabama Cooperative Extension System

The Cotton Scouting School is set for June 5 for anyone interested in the insects and diseases that are affecting Alabama crops. The course will be held at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the program starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends by 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

The course focuses on the growth, development and management aspects of agriculture. It is geared toward helping participants understand the various insects and diseases that affect crops, such as cotton and peanuts, and to teach them techniques about how to reduce these threats.

William Birdsong, an agronomic crops specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says in regards to cotton, insects that are posing a threat to the crop include thrips, cotton bollworms and stink bugs. A disease that will be discussed is target spot, which has recently been found in many varieties.

A second crop that will be discussed is peanuts. Diseases that affect them include rot mold, early leafspot and late leafspot. Threshold numbers and when you should and shouldn’t spray peanuts to remain cost effective will also be discussed.

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Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.