March 7, 2024

Alabama FarmPAC Endorsements Propel Candidates to Victory

Nine of 10 candidates endorsed by Alabama FarmPAC in the Republican Primary election won their races Tuesday or advanced to a runoff, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. 

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell congratulated the candidates on their hard-fought wins.

“Unlike other political action committees, Alabama FarmPAC is fully funded by Federation members. This grassroots support once again paid off in the primary as candidates who took time to meet our farmers and visit with county leaders prevailed,” Parnell said. “Hard work and understanding people’s real-world concerns are keys to political victory. We congratulate the candidates without opposition in the general election and pledge to continue supporting those who face a runoff or challenger in the fall.”

A.L.F.A. Leaders in Montgomery for Institute II

Agricultural Leaders for Alabama (A.L.F.A. Leaders) Class VI spent Feb. 27-March 1 meeting with elected officials, touring state government institutions and learning about agricultural stakeholders. 

Visits to Alabama's Capital city included:

• In-depth overview of the legislative session 
• Visits with Gov. Kay Ivey and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth
• Meetings with Alabama’s Constitutional Officers 
• Tour of the Alabama Supreme Court 
• Visits with agricultural stakeholders 
• Collaborative breakout sessions 
• Tour of Air University Innovation Accelerator

A.L.F.A. Leaders is sponsored by the Alabama Farmers Federation and sharpens the skills of already proven agricultural community leaders by focusing on personal development, political involvement, effective communication and understanding of the Federation. The group is led by the Federation's Hunter McBrayer.

Gov. Ivey Declares March as Peanut Month

The Alabama peanut industry was honored March 5 in Montgomery as Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation to declare March as Peanut Month.

Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) board members visited with legislators and shared locally grown peanuts and peanut butter.

APPA President and Coffee County Farmers Federation President Carl Sanders led the prayer in the State House of Representatives.

Beef

The increase in feeder cattle prices over the last year created an opportunity for many cattle producers to profit. March 2024 feeder cattle futures were at $270/cwt last September and $208/cwt in December. That decrease in price was equivalent to a decline of $496/head on 8-weight feeder steers. Prices have since rebounded by over 20% to $250/cwt as of this week. The $42/cwt increase in price is equivalent to an improvement of $336/head on 8-weight feeder steers. Given the change in price over the last six months, more volatility should be expected moving forward. Click here to learn more.

Submitted by Chris Prevatt

Cotton

The National Cotton Council Planting Intentions Survey estimated 2024 U.S. cotton acreage at 9.8 million acres — down 3.7% from 2023. The Alabama estimate of 347,000 planted acres of cotton is a decrease of 8.8% from 2023. 

Submitted by Carla Hornady

Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod

Nurseries across the country will have access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Nursery Value Select crop insurance after expansion of the program. Previously the pilot program was only available in select states (including Alabama) but access will be available for all states net year. The sales closing date for the 2025 crop year is May 1, 2024, or September 1, 2024, as provided in the actuarial documents. Click here to read more.

Submitted by Blake Thaxton

Peanuts

March is National Peanut Month. Click here to view peanut recipes from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association.



Submitted by Kaye Lynn Hataway of Alabama Peanut Producers Association

Soil Health Field Day Hosted in Shorter

Alabama farmers attended a soil health field day Feb. 22 at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter. The event was coordinated by the Alabama Farmers Federation, The Fertilizer Institute, Yara, Auburn University and Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Federation Sends Letter to NWRS

The Alabama Farmers Federation commented on the proposed rule and updated policy for "biological integrity, diversity and environmental health" on the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) in a letter Feb. 29.

Farmers in Alabama have been and continue to participate in cooperative agriculture with NWRS, including Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The current proposal jeopardizes the continued use of genetically engineered crops (GECs) on NWRS lands which are essential to meeting the objectives of the NWRS.

Farmers choose to plant GECs due to their advantages, which include reduced pesticide applications, reduced tillage practices, reduced fuel consumption and greater and more consistent yields. These should be the same goals the NWRS seeks to achieve. Increased and more consistent production with fewer inputs are good for both the farmer and the ecosystem, the letter stated.

Legendary Leaders Honored for Service to Agriculture

Five legendary leaders were honored for their impact on Alabama agriculture Feb. 13 in Auburn. Hollis Isbell, Don Ball and Bill Stallworth were inducted into the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Honor, while families of the late Mark Nichols and Wade Skidmore accepted Pioneer Awards. 

Auburn University Agricultural Alumni Club President Brian Hardin hailed the honorees and their families. The club organizes the annual awards banquet. 

“It’s our honor to recognize these five men for strengthening Alabama agriculture,” said Hardin, also the Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department director. “Speaking with them and their families is a highlight of my year. They are humble, generous people who have made this state and its people better.”

The Hall of Honor was established in 1984. Isbell, Ball and Stallworth join 118 prior inductees.

EPA Forms New Ag Office

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan is forming a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the agency.

"This will expand engagement opportunities beyond any that we've done so far," Regan said.

Receive Federation Legislative Updates

The Alabama Farmers Federation Capitol Connection gives Federation members insight on the current legislative session. The publication is updated weekly during the session.



To receive the e-newsletter, email the Federation's Tanner Hood at THood@alfafarmers.org.

SBI: On the Case of Rural Crime

When Special Agent Chase Chapman was approached for this piece, he didn’t have a cracked case at the ready — a locked-up ring-leader responsible for scads of rural crime.

Just days later, the State Bureau of Investigation began closing in on the source of a cross-county, multi-year string of robberies that cost farmers and rural residents thousands in stolen trucks, trailers and tractors.

“We’ve always treated it as one to three people, but early last year, we figured out it was a big, organized group,” Chapman said in January while visiting with Billy and Will McCurdy on their Lowndes County cattle farm. “When we started talking about this article, that next Wednesday, we interviewed a subject who confessed to taking trucks and trailers from this location and started naming people.”

Leading Ladies: Women’s Committee Chairs Reflect on Service

Since 1965, 44 women have had a special seat at the table empowering thousands of county volunteers integral to Alabama Farmers Federation success.

They’re State Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) chairs — and they’ve led by example.

From inaugural chair Mabel McDole of Limestone County to current leader Debbie Dunn of Geneva County, their work has reflected county committees’ priorities, projects and programs. 

That includes organizing political forums, hosting farm days, coordinating pop tab collections and encouraging public service work. They promote homegrown values in the State House; serve as Alabama FarmPAC trustees; and lead county boards and committees.

They also organize popular cooking contests, sewing and decorating competitions, and agricultural literacy events, in addition to serving an ex-officio term on the state board.

The reflections of three former state chairs follow. These leading ladies represent just a fraction of the Federation’s savvy, service-oriented volunteer-leaders.

Rita Garrett

Cherokee County

Cheryl Lassiter

Choctaw County

Jamie Lazenby

Lee County

Get Ag-Tive

Federation Forestry and Wildlife Seminar

The Alabama Farmers Federation's Forestry & Wildlife Seminar is March 8 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Federation home office in Montgomery. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. To register, call Deborah Long at (334) 613-4216 or email William Green at wmgreen@alfafarmers.org.

Click here for the agenda.

Federation Beef Cattle and Forage Summit

The Federation's Beef Cattle and Forage Summit is March 26 at the Federation home office from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Montgomery.

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.

Simply Southern TV Airs Season 10

Simply Southern TV turns 10 this year! Tune in to your local station to see new episodes air during the weekend or watch on RFD-TV on Wednesdays.

March 9/10/13: Side by Side Choir in Montgomery; Center Stage All-Star Competitive Cheer in Lineville; What’s in Season with Sweet Grown Alabama; and a Southern Bite recipe for Carrot Cranberry Salad.

March 16/17/20: 4R Field Day at EV Smith Research Center; Alabama Goods; Rural Roundup; Discover Extension segment; and a Southern Bite recipe for Sweet Potato Cookies, sponsored by Sweet Grown Alabama.

To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”

• March 12 - 15 - Tuskegee University annual Farmers Conference in Montgomery

• March 9-16 - Jr. Livestock Expo in Montgomery 

• April 10-12 - Women's Leadership Conference in Auburn

• April 11 - Alabama Farm-City Awards Luncheon in Auburn. Registration ends March 20.

• April 15 - Applications due for the Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute. The conference is June 12-14 in Tuscaloosa.