AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — It takes a full year to produce a good crop. But it takes less than two days to learn about the newest research, technologies and management strategies that could help farmers yield a better harvest in 2026.

An updated economic outlook, new regulations and dealing with pests like cotton jassid and deer are some of the topics that will be discussed during the 13th Alabama Row Crops Short Course. The event is scheduled for Jan. 20-21 at the Doster Community Center in Prattville, Alabama.

Eros Francisco, a grain crops agronomist with Alabama Extension at Auburn University, is the main coordinator of the short course.

“No matter what is going on with commodity prices or weather, farming is a stressful job,” Francisco said. “My goal with this short course is to deliver the best and most updated information for farmers and consultants of all kinds. That includes small and big farms as well as people who love using new technologies and those who don’t. I want attendees to go home with answers to the most important questions they have about the 2026 season.”

Education Through Lessons, Networking

The 2026 short course includes 19 educational sessions divided into three segments: grain crops; cotton and peanuts; and general topics. Simer Virk, an Alabama Extension precision agriculture specialist, also serves on the short course planning committee. He said sessions will tackle current issues and hot topics in the agricultural community.

“We’re all aware of farmers dealing with low commodity prices and high input costs,” Virk said. “Everyone wants to know how to better manage risk in the current farm economy. Every year, we have results and information from the latest research. This event allows us to share what we’ve learned from our trials that may have a direct impact on their farms.”

As an added benefit, Virk said discussions with growers and others during networking breaks could impact future research.

“Besides learning about new information, we also want people to come and share their feedback and suggestions,” Virk said. “It’s always good to see growers face to face and find out the areas where Extension expertise might be able to help them with their current issues or in the future.”

Those conversations about relevant and timely topics can even impact future short course programming.

“This year, as requested, we have someone coming in to discuss pest management in stored grain,” Francisco said. “That’s because attendees have asked us about this topic for the last couple years. That’s a great example of how networking at these events really does affect our plans and educational goals.”

Francisco and Virk both hope that this two-day event provides farmers with what they need to start the 2026 crop season more optimistically.

“The short course helps us accomplish Extension’s mission of delivering good, trustworthy information to farmers and our stakeholders,” Francisco said. “Getting to interact with everyone and learn their thoughts, challenges and worries — it all provides food for thought and ideas for the next edition of the short course.”

More Information

The Alabama Row Crops Short Course is free to attend, but registration is required. Sponsors of the event include the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Alabama Soybean Producers, Alabama Cotton Producers and Alabama Wheat and Feed Grain Producers.

Registration begins Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. The following day, programming will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with lunch provided. The Doster Community Center is located at 424 S. Northington St. in Prattville, Alabama.

More information, including a full list of educational sessions, is available on the Alabama Row Crops Short Course web page at aces.edu/go/RowCropsShortCourse.