Jr. Livestock Expo Encourages Young Leaders | |
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Cattle and swine took center stage in Montgomery as Alabama youth exhibited animals and showed off a year’s worth of hard work during the Jr. Livestock Expo (JLE) in March.
The Dairy Show was March 9, while the Beef and Swine Shows were March 14-16. The shows, held annually during the Southeastern Livestock Exposition, were coordinated by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance. JLE included over 250 exhibitors showing nearly 500 animals.
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Amelia Thrower of Marshall County exhibited the Grand Champion Breeding Heifer in the Beef Show. | |
Dow Boyd of Coffee County exhibited the Grand Champion Market Animal in the Beef Show. | |
Brooklyn Price of Lee County exhibited the Grand Champion Breeding Bull in the Beef Show. | |
Mason Patterson of St. Clair County exhibited the Senior Grand Champion Animal in the Dairy Show. | |
Charlee Stone of Jefferson County exhibited the Grand Champion Breeding Gilt in the Swine Show. | |
Emma Ramsey of Calhoun County exhibited the Grand Champion Market Hog in the Swine Show. | |
SLE Livestock Judging Contest Draws Big Crowd | |
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Over 430 FFA, 4-H and collegiate livestock judging teams from 10 states traveled to Montgomery to mark their cards during the 9th Southeastern Livestock Exposition judging contest at the Garrett Coliseum March 7.
The event was filled with intense concentration and deliberation as students from across the country put their knowledge to the test.
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Alabama Launches Texas Hay Relief Effort | |
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Alabama farmers can help cattlemen in Texas who have suffered catastrophic losses due to recent wildfires. The path of devastation burned over 1.5 million acres of prime grazing land.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries is partnering with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Trucking Association to gather and transport hay to the affected areas.
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Beekeepers in Alabama received a higher price for honey in 2023 versus 2022, according to the Southern Region Honey Report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Honey sold by Alabama beekeepers commanded $5.45 per pound in 2023 compared to $4.80 per pound in 2022. Honey-producing colony numbers, yield per colony and honey production remained steady in Alabama but reduced in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Read the full report here.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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The U.S. Department of Commerce has reversed a decision that would have reduced anti-dumping duties for Vietnamese catfish producers. The decision is good news for U.S. catfish farmers, and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., played a key role in this reversal. Tuberville highlighted the importance of protecting Alabama's catfish industry, which ranks second nationally in farm-raised catfish production. This decision is a win for the state's economy and employment in the catfish farming sector. Read more here.
Submitted by William Green
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Times are hard, and many farmers are looking for ways to save money. Here are a few facts to know before buying cotton bale wrap:
One Sheet Wrap Co. is a seller of wrap manufactured in Xinjiang, China. Some of this wrap has been distributed in the U.S. under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which means it could be seized at the port, and the wrap product could be reported to U.S. Customs and Board Protection. It could be unfortunate and costly for a producer or ginner to pay for an input that may never make it to Alabama.
Submitted by Carla Hornady
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A goat in Minnesota tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) today. This is the first U.S. case of HPAI in a domestic ruminant. Read more here.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
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U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai expressing concern about the European Union's Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR). EUDR could negatively impact U.S. paper and pulp producers by imposing costly reporting requirements. The letter urges clarity on traceability requirements, data reporting and country benchmarking under the EUDR. Tuberville emphasized the importance of protecting the U.S. forest products industry, particularly for Alabama, which ranks third nationally in its contribution to the state economy and is a significant producer in various forest-related sectors. Read more here.
Submitted by William Green
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Students Explore Alabama Farms During Ag Expedition | |
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Fifteen students in Auburn University's (AU) College of Agriculture traveled the state to visit farms and agribusinesses during spring break March 3-8. The Alabama Farmers Federation organized the Alabama Ag Expedition, which provides each student with two credit hours and opportunities to develop knowledge of Alabama's 17 commodities.
Farm stops included:
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Flowerwood Nursery, Baldwin County
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Mckenzie Farms, Baldwin County
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Haynes Farms, Cullman County
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Blue Ribbon Dairy, Elmore County
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Drury Catfish and Cattle Farms, Hale County
- Gvillo Farms, Hale County
- SmartLam, Houston County
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Triple E Farms, Lowndes County
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Tate Farms, Madison County
- Bunge, Morgan County
- Pursell Agri-Tech, Talladega County
The Wheat & Feed Grain Checkoff, Catfish Checkoff, Alabama TREASURE Forest Association, Alabama Ag Credit, Alabama Farm Credit, First South Farm Credit, Helena, Corteva Agriscience, GreenPoint Ag, Syngenta, TriGreen Equipment and the Alabama Farmers Cooperative sponsored the event.
The next Ag Expedition is expected during AU's 2026 spring break.
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FFA Jackets Flood Capitol Hill | |
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Over 200 blue corduroy jackets left a legacy on Alabama's Capital City March 20 during FFA Day on the Hill. This year's event was coordinated by the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Cattlemen's Association and Alabama FFA Foundation.
Alabama FFA members visited with state legislators and elected officials during breakout sessions. Gov. Kay Ivey greeted the group on the Capitol steps.
"FFA is shaping the next generation of stewards of our land," Ivey said. "I am grateful for their educational commitment to serving our agriculture industry and rural communities."
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Alabama FFA state officers met with Rep. Jennifer Fidler, R-Fairhope, in the State House of Representatives. Fidler, center, is sporting her high school FFA jacket. | |
Members of the Alabama FFA state officer team spoke with Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, in the Capitol Auditorium after Singleton's presentation to the group. | |
Alabama Young Farmers Attend National Leadership Conference | |
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Ten Alabama Young Farmers traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, for leadership development workshops, competitions and networking opportunities March 8-11.
During the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers (AFBF YF&R) Leadership Conference, Will Meadows of Houston County represented the state in the Collegiate Discussion Meet competition. Meadows advanced to the Sweet 16 round. He won the Auburn University (AU) competition last fall and is a senior studying agricultural communications.
Corley Williams of Marshall County served as an AFBF YF&R social media ambassador. Williams is an AU senior studying agricultural communications.
Additionally, Jonathan and Sara Sanders of Coffee County were recognized for completing their two-year term of service on the AFBF YF&R Committee.
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Federation Forestry Seminar a Success | |
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Over 75 landowners and industry professionals gathered to learn and network during the Alabama Farmers Federation's Forestry & Wildlife Seminar March 8 in Montgomery.
Attendees left with an overview of the Alabama Economic Development Authority, a forestry market update, information about HudsonAlpha’s TIMBER project and the latest in food plot management trends.
Speakers included:
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Dr. Adam Maggard, Auburn University
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Rick Oates, State Forester, Alabama Forestry Commission
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Al Jones, Alabama Forestry Commission
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Dan Chappell, Alabama Forestry Commission
- Anson Howard, Uhl Fitzsimons
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Dr. Joe Conrad, University of Georgia
- Chris Blankenship, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (ADCNR)
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Dr. Josh Clevenger, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology Wiregrass
- Jeremy Ferguson, ADCNR
- Ryan Mitchell, Tall Timbers
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Federation Beef Cattle and Forage Summit | |
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The Beef Cattle and Forage Summit is March 26 at the Alabama Farmers Federation home office in Montgomery from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
The agenda is centered on nutrition, feeder calf health and a market outlook. Tickets are limited. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Click here to register.
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Baseball fans and friends of Auburn University’s College of Agriculture are invited to a Homerun Picnic April 12, hosted by the Auburn Agricultural Alumni Club.
The free event for alumni, prospective students and supporters starts at 4 p.m., includes dinner and is held in conjunction with the Auburn vs. Kentucky baseball game. Registration for the picnic does not include baseball tickets.
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Receive Federation Legislative Updates | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation Capitol Connection gives Federation members insight on the current Legislative Session. New issues are published and emailed weekly during the session.
To receive the e-newsletter, email the Federation's Tanner Hood at THood@alfafarmers.org.
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Simply Southern TV Airs Season 10 | |
We’re wrapping up the first half of the 10th season of Simply Southern. Tune in for a full 30 minutes of stories about the best things in Alabama, including our farmers.
March 23/24/27: Farm-to-table tortillas featuring three south Alabama businesses — Bayou Cora Farm, E&H Tortilleria and Rooster’s Restaurant; the Frosty Inn in Russellville; an in-studio interview about Alabama AgCast; and a Southern Bite recipe for Sweet Cornbread Muffins.
March 30 and 31 + April 3: A best of 10 years of Simply Southern where Kevin, Mary and Melissa all pick their favorites from past seasons. Those include a new treatment for peanut allergies featuring the Bristow family, Combat Park in Eastaboga, and the Firefighter Combat Challenge. Plus, enjoy a Southern Bite recipe for a Cheesy Hamburger Skillet, sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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First South Farm Credit announced March 7 that it will distribute $25.5 million in patronage refund checks to its member-borrowers in April. A patronage refund is a payment from a cooperative to a member-borrower based on its earnings and financial performance in proportion to the borrower’s use of the cooperative. Click here to read more.
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It’s long been a point of pride in American agriculture that the U.S. exported more than it imported in farm commodities, but that surplus has vanished and may not be coming back anytime soon. The agricultural trade deficit, projected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is estimated to reach a record $30.5 billion for fiscal year 2024. Click here to read the story.
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