DOTHAN--Every year farmers near and far come together to talk about one crop.

"Cotton"

Wayne Woodham grows, cotton, peanuts and corn and says the Wiregrass Cotton Expo provides lots of valuable information.

"It's a good opportunity to see what the extension people have to give us, what seed varieties we have here, things such as disease and pest," said Woodham.

Woodham says that information doesn't go to waste.

"We use it everyday during the growing season. We actually keep some of the printed literature that they give us."

Chris Ingram also does part-time farming and says he enjoys the networking opportunity the expo provides

"If somebody's doing something better than we do it or seeming to have more success it's always good to see what they're doing or if they're doing anything different," said Ingram.

Although farmers may have different methods they all desire one particular outcome this year.

"Just hoping cotton prices will go up some," said Ingram.

"We're hoping for a $1.50 pound for cotton, but only the good lord and nature knows what we'll make," said Woodham.

So even though farmers can't control the weather, they can control how prepared they are.

Most of the farmers say attending the expo is almost a must because there's always new information and research, which in turn keeps them ahead of the curve.

Next Thursday peanut farmers can attend the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show.

It's also at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds.

Farmers will view products and services available from more than 60 exhibitors.