AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — As planting winds down, farm chores shift to scouting for pests and diseases. To help row crop farmers achieve greater success, Alabama Extension experts will provide best management practices for pest and disease management during the Scouting Short Course.

Scott Graham, an entomologist with Alabama Extension at Auburn University, said he is excited to see familiar faces and share new knowledge at the 67th annual event.

“Farmers have always had to deal with bugs and diseases damaging their crops,” Graham said. “While that reality doesn’t change, we do find new and better ways to handle those issues every year. That’s why Alabama Extension has hosted this scouting course for more than six decades and why we hope farmers will participate.”

Course Dates and Locations

To best serve Alabama farmers, the Scouting Short Course will be offered in five locations during June. Dates and locations including the following:

• June 2 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center in Headland
• June 4 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Milstead Gin in Shorter
• June 9 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Tennessee Valley Regional Research and Extension Center in Belle Mina
• June 18 from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Grant Farms in Uriah
• June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at McCord’s Fire Department Station #1 in Centre

Content covered will vary slightly based on commodities produced in each region. However, all schools will include information on managing tarnished plant bugs, stink bugs and cotton jassids, as well as the importance of sprayer setup. All events also include lunch and time for in-field training on insect and weed identification.

How to Participate

To register for one of the courses, contact the agronomic crops Extension agent in your area. For contact information, search the directory at aces.edu.