06/16/2000

AU to Provide Free Ag Tests for Drought-Plauged Farmers

AUBURN, Ala.—Auburn University will be providing free diagnostic and analytical services for agricultural testing to farmers in Alabama's 23-county Drought Disaster Area, according to a statement by AU President Dr. William Muse.

Included among these diagnostic tests are forage analysis, soil testing, and plant diagnostics. "We appreciate the prompt actions of Governor Siegelman and Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bishop in their efforts to help farmers in these drought stricken counties. We are pleased to lend Auburn University's support to this relief effort," President Muse noted.

Nitrogen content of grass and hay for beef cattle in the drought stricken area is an immediate concern, and the risk of nitrate poisoning for animals in these counties is high. "You cannot simply look at a plant and determine whether it is high in nitrates. Testing is the only way to determine this," according to Hamp Bryant, director of AU's Soil Testing and Forage Analysis Lab.

In some counties in southeast Alabama there is no hay and no grass for livestock feeding. In many areas in these counties the corn crop is a total failure and a common practice is to allow cattle to graze on the immature corn stalks. In prolonged drought situations, corn and other potential forage crops accumulate high nitrate levels and cattle grazing these plants can develop nitrate poisoning, which causes suffocation and rapid death.

Samples for nitrate testing should consist of entire plants cut from every area of a field. Corn plants from a field should be cut three to four inches above the soil surface, folded, placed together in a paper bag, and sent in as a single sample. However, if samples from an area of a field are noticeably different from the rest, they should be packaged as a separate sample, Bryant explained.

The best way to handle these samples is to take them to the nearest county extension office. Samples from the 23-county drought disaster area will be given priority. However, samples can be mailed or hand-delivered to the Soil Testing Lab in Room 118 of Funchess Hall, Auburn, University, Alabama 36849.

Governor Siegelman responded to Auburn's plans to waive forage testing fees by saying, "It is our Alabama heritage to look out for one another. This represents the best of Alabama, when we all pull together as a community. I am pleased that Auburn can help in this way, I commend the University for their efforts," Alabama Governor Don Siegelman commented.

While tests for nitrates are of immediate concern, soil tests, plant diagnostic tests and other critical analyses are essential to help livestock producers and farmers overcome the aftermath of what is being called, "the drought of the century."

Luke Waters, dean of AU's College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station noted that cattle producers are being forced to use hay they normally use for winter feeding. Subsequently, there is certain to be an increase in planting of winter forages, which will require additional soil and fertility analysis.

"Fees from testing services are critical to our ag programs at Auburn, but the needs of the cattle producers and farmers of our state come before our needs. We will continue to provide free diagnostic services or any other type help we can offer for as long as needed to help our agricultural industry survive this drought-driven crisis," Waters said.

Stephen Jones, director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System echoed Waters' remarks. "In addition, we are pleased to offer our plant diagnostic services free to farmers in this drought stricken area of the state," Jones noted.

To supplement Commissioner Bishop's efforts to provide free hay to people in the 23-county drought disaster area, the Extension System is posting a website listing sources of hay for purchase nationwide. In cooperation with the Commissioner of Agriculture's Office and the Alabama Cattlemens Association, Extension workers in each of the 23 affected counties are providing drop sites for free hay, much of which is being donated by cattle producers in less drought plagued areas of Alabama.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu

06/16/00