Roy Roberson

Associate Editor
Southeast Farm Press

James R. (Roy) Roberson began his career in agricultural communications as an assistant editor of agricultural research and teaching in Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. When he retired from Auburn University in 2004, he was head of the agricultural communications program at Auburn and assistant director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. Between stints at Auburn University, Roberson worked for several years as an account manager for Fletcher/Mayo and Associates, which at that time was the largest agricultural marketing and public relations company in the U.S. He also worked for nearly five years as Southeast marketing and public relations coordinator for Swanson-Rollheiser-Holland, an Omaha, Nebraska-based agricultural advertising and public relations company. In addition to his current position on the editorial staff of Southeast Farm Press, Roberson is former editor and publisher of Southern Pulp and Paper Magazine and was part of the team that created the Atlanta-based Southeast edition of Ad Week. Roberson grew up in rural east Alabama and earned bachelor and masters degrees in journalism and mass communication from Auburn University.

Articles by Roy Roberson
Brake herbicide may provide new tool for pigweed control in cotton
Using a Section 18 label granted in selected states for use from April until August 2012, Clemson University Researcher Mike Marshall used Brake as an effective herbicide against Palmer amaranth in cotton, providing a potential new tool for growers in the their ongoing battles against pigweed.
2012 cotton crop remembered as record-breaking, heart-breaking
During the recent Beltwide Cotton Conferences several industry experts gave recaps of the 2012 cotton crop, and the consensus was that last year’s crop was record-breaking in some parts of the Cotton Belt and heart-breaking in other areas.
Emmett Rouse wins South Carolina peanut yield contest
Emmett Rouse, who farms near LuRay, S.C., won the 2012 South Carolina Peanut Yield Contest, with an average of 5,816 pounds per acre on 574 acres.
Year of the Farmer ad makes Super Bowl news
For those who somehow missed it, the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl, Brother John Harbaugh bested brother Jim Harbaugh, and Dodge Ram trucks possibly knocked the Budweiser Clydesdales out of the best ad spot with a heart-tugging two minute spot that gave more than 100 million viewers worldwide a glimpse at what it takes to be an American farmer.
Chinese peanut buying spree quickly changing industry dynamics
A huge over-supply of U.S. grown peanuts is being stored in some strange places and has left growers wondering how few peanuts they should grow this year.
Cal Lewis inducted into North Carolina Vegetable Growers Hall of Fame
Cal Lewis, a third generation fruit and vegetable grower from Rocky Point, N.C., is the latest inductee into the North Carolina Vegetable Growers Hall of Fame.
E. H. Dixon wins North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest
Greene County, N.C., grower E.H. Dixon took top honors in the 2012 North Carolina Soybean Yield Contest with a 92.5 bushel per acre crop.
Dual attack on white grubs promising in Carolina sweet potatoes
The white grub, Plectris aliena, was first documented near Charleston in the 1930s and has caused few problems in South Carolina, but in a small area in North Carolina, it has caused severe damage to sweet potatoes and keeping it confined to that area has been an ongoing challenge for the past few years.
New herbicide technology in pipeline for cotton, soybeans 3
Soybean and cotton growers are likely to get some new weed control technology over the next 2-3 years and using it properly is going to be critical to both its early success and its longevity.
Future of Southeast livestock industry depends on local grain
Grain sorghum acreage in North Carolina jumped more than 10-fold from 2011 to 2012, and wheat acreage in the state is expected to reach an all-time high with the 2012-2013 crop.
North Carolina cotton, peanuts set yield records in 2012
Mother Nature, technology, plenty of hard work and big pushes by Extension specialists to combat herbicide resistance problems resulted in record cotton and peanut crops in North Carolina last year.
Cotton industry leaders looking for new markets, profits for growers 1
Teaser: Cotton acreage was down last year in the Southeast and will likely go down more in 2013, mostly because of a lack of profitability compared to grain crops.
Last Beltwide ends in San Antonio, format to be changed for 2014
The 58th annual Beltwide Cotton Conferences have concluded in San Antonio, Texas, marking an end of the annual program in its current form.
Former Peanut Profitability winners saw record crops in 2012
Fifty-five inches of rain from planting until harvest is too much rain for any farmer, even a dryland peanut producer.
First South Carolina AgriBiz and Farm Expo set for Jan. 16-18
South Carolina agriculture will come together in a big way with the first annual South Carolina AgriBiz and Farm Expo, to be held at the Florence, S.C., Civic Center Jan. 16-18.

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