College and Major: Auburn University College of Agriculture, Agricultural Science
Hometown: Rogersville, Alabama
Career Goals: After graduation, I would like to own some land for agricultural purposes.
Hobby or Fun Fact: I like to go deer hunting.
The past few weeks have been both fun and informative. I have been learning about the use of drones in agriculture, cotton, and soybean pests, soil nutrient stratification, and chemical damage to soybeans. I have been staying busy with farm visits, staff meetings, and insect traps.
Cotton bollworm traps and soybean looper traps have been put out to get a good idea of the pest pressure in the areas of the traps. Cotton bollworm trap sticky pads and pheromones need to be replaced every two weeks, while soybean looper traps need to be replaced every four weeks.
The number of insects on the sticky pads can be viewed via the Arc farm intelligence application. While this is a good way to count the number of insects present, traps have been known to fall off their posts, so checking on them regularly is a good way to make sure they are effectively catching insects.
I look forward to the upcoming plans with my mentors, Ali Gotcher and Cade Grace. In the next few weeks, I plan to check in on the lambs for the 4-H lamb show project, visit the soybean and corn trial plots, continue to collect data with the insect traps, and help with delivery of bulls for North Alabama Bull Evaluation Consignment Sale.
During the last week in May, I got to help with a soybean trial plot. I picked up the seed that would be used for the trial and delivered it to where it would be planted. The next day, my mentor, Cade Grace, fertilized the field, and later we got the seed in the ground. Each variety of soybean was planted in a strategic spot in the field so that we could easily compare the performance of each.
Pictured below are the many soybean varieties that were used in the trial. There are seeds from four separate companies, with a total of eleven different varieties. A plot plan was developed in order to remember and keep track of the placement of each seed variety. Each variety was planted in the plot twice, generally not right beside each other. This planting technique is to have soil nutrient diversity throughout the plot.
It has been exciting being able to participate in this experiment so far. It is informative and interesting to see the steps and processes of real experiments such as this one. The information we gather will be important for both current and future soybean producers. I look forward to seeing the results of this plot trial.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Ali Gotcher for her recognition by the Alabama Farmers Federation as Alabama’s Excellence in Agriculture competition winner.
Gotcher and her husband, Will, competed against 11 other contestants. The Excellence in Agriculture contest is for members who are 18 to 35 years old and receive most of their income off farm. This event allows participants to showcase agriculture’s role in their lives and present solutions to major industry hurdles.
“My husband and I were humbled to be selected as the Excellence in Ag winners for our state,” Gotcher said. “It means so much to us to be recognized for our passion in the agriculture industry and we hope to continue to work towards a brighter future for farmers. I personally hope that I make the Alabama Cooperative Extension System proud by representing us at the national competition in San Antonio, Texas.”
The Gotchers will represent Alabama during the American Farm Bureau Federation national competition in San Antonio, Texas, in January 2025.
Read more about the Excellence in Agriculture competition by reading the news release from the Alabama Farmers Federation.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Andre da Silva on his recognition from the Alabama Farmers Federation as the 2024 recipient of the Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture and Forestry Research. Silva was recognized at the Federation’s Farm and Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Silva, an Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, received $10,000 from the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF). His work is instrumental in developing best management practices for high-yielding, high-quality vegetable crops. Silva plans to use the prize to further his variety trials and diversify research.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Federation was honored to present the Rittenour Award to an innovative and outstanding agriculturalist.
“Alabama farmers are blessed to have Andre da Silva in their corner,” Parnell said. “His practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That’s important in today’s economy. We’re proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work.”
Silva was surprised to receive this honor.
“It’s encouraging to see my work and drive to help was recognized,” Silva said. “I like working with people. That’s why I enjoy working for Extension. When a grower has a problem, you help them and then they succeed. It’s rewarding for me to see their harvest of vegetables and high-quality production.”
The Rittenour Award honors Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for practical work helping Alabama farmers. It is named for Charles Rittenour, the first president of the Alabama Farmers Federation. This is the sixth annual Rittenour Award. Read more from the Farmers Federation in their news release.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System congratulates Dennis Brothers on his recognition from the Alabama Farmers Federation as the 2024 recipient of the Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture and Forestry Extension. Brothers was recognized at the Federation’s Farm and Land Conference Aug. 3 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Brothers is an Alabama Extension associate professor in agricultural economics and rural sociology. As a member of the farm and agribusiness management team, Brothers specializes in poultry economics. As a part of the award, he received $5,000 for poultry-economics research, courtesy of the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Federation was honored to present the Duncan Award to an innovative and outstanding agriculturalist.
“Alabama farmers are blessed to have Dennis Brothers in their corner,” Parnell said. “His practical research is helping farmers stay productive, profitable and on their farms. That’s important in today’s economy. We’re proud to recognize these leaders and thank them for their work.”
Brothers’ past projects include the poultry production cost calculator tool, the “New Farmer’s Guide to the Commercial Broiler Industry” publication series and the 2022 Alabama Ag and Forestry Economic Contribution Study.
“I am most honored by the fact this award comes from those whom we serve in Extension — that is the farmers themselves,” Brothers said. “To know that they feel served, and to be recognized as one who has delivered on the promise of Extension, is both humbling and motivating to continue that service in the years to come.”
The Duncan Award honors Auburn University and Alabama Extension professionals for practical work helping Alabama farmers. It is named after Luther Duncan, the first director of Alabama Extension. This is the sixth annual Duncan Award. Read more from the Farmers Federation in their news release.
Find other ACES Accolades at www.aces.edu/go/ACESAccolades.