Hurricane Sally Hits Alabama Gulf Coast |
|
Farmers along Alabama’s Gulf Coast braced for a deluge of rain and strong winds from slow-moving Hurricane Sally, which made landfall early Wednesday morning as a Category 2 storm.
The state’s cotton and pecan crops are most vulnerable, and with peak harvest still weeks away, Hurricane Sally’s arrival is troubling.
|
|
Enjoy these updates from Alabama Farmers Federation commodity directors Carla Hornady, Russ Durrance, Jacob Davis, Brady Ragland, William Green and Hunter McBrayer. |
|
Cotton, Soybeans, Wheat & Feed Grains
Farmers impacted by Hurricane Sally are encouraged to fill out a survey found at alfafarmers.org/survey. All information received will be anonymously recorded and communicated to local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. Farmers are also encouraged to contact their local FSA office to report storm damage.
Poultry
Poultry farmers are encouraged to complete a survey from Auburn University and Alabama Extension studying the impact of COVID-19 on poultry operations. Feedback is anonymous and will be used to form a group impact study to further understand the financial ramifications of the pandemic. Access the survey here.
Peanuts
Peanut harvest is here! Approximately 160,000 acres of peanuts were planted according to the Farm Service Agency. Celebrate by taking a #PeanutPause every day and enjoying a serving of your favorite peanuts or peanut butter to get all the wonderful nutritional benefits of Alabama’s favorite legume.
Hay & Forage
Rezilon (indaziflam), produced by Bayer, is now available for use in Alabama. This pre-emergence herbicide is designed to provide residual control of many annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. It is labeled for use on established bermudagrass, bahiagrass and other perennial warm-season forage grasses.
|
|
 |
Wildlife
Join Alabama Extension this September and October for The Best Deer Season Ever webinar series. This online educational series provides helpful information for all deer hunters – beginner to veteran – to ensure this season is the one you'll never forget. Learn more here.
|
|
|
|
Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod
The Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod State Committee met at the Alabama Farmers Federation home office Sept. 4. They discussed COVID-19 impacts on the industry and funding through the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program, along with reviewing Federation policies.
|
|
|
|
Apply For Ag, Forestry Coronavirus Aid |
|
Gov. Kay Ivey has allotted funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act to benefit farmers and forest owners.
Alabama Agricultural Stabilization Program applications still open are:
Additionally, the Alabama Forestry Commission will distribute $10 million to help forest owners impacted by the pandemic.
|
|
Materials Available For Agritourism Operations |
|
The Alabama Farmers Federation is providing materials to help agritourism operations thrive during unprecedented challenges this fall.
Additionally, social-distancing signs are available for $3.50 each. Contact Hunter McBrayer at (334) 612-5610 to access the materials and order signs.
|
|
-
The Virtual Women's Fly-In through American Farm Bureau Federation is Sept. 21-22. This event allows Farm Bureau women to connect via Zoom to learn, grow and share ideas and programs.
-
2020 Census questionnaires are due Sept. 30. The census helps direct billions of dollars in federal funds, in addition to helping secure seats in Congress.
|
|
Mental Health Battle Real |
|
Farming is rewarding — and isolating, stressful and unpredictable.
Newell wants farmers to know: They are not alone.
|
|
-
Bonnie Plants is moving its headquarters to Opelika in Lee County and broke ground on the new site in August. In addition to bringing 60 jobs to the city, Bonnie Plants’ has formed a partnership with Auburn University’s Harbert College of Business and College of Agriculture.
-
Agri-AFC, GreenPoint AG, and Tennessee Farmers Cooperative are forming a new venture under the name GreenPoint AG. The combination will include all operations of Agri-AFC's wholesale and retail business, GreenPoint AG’s retail business and Tennessee Farmers Cooperative’s wholesale agronomy business.
|
|
Partner Profile: Frank Boyd |
|
Frank Boyd, a National Feral Swine Program expert, works on developing strategies to eliminate wild hogs in the U.S.
Boyd was instrumental in bringing beneficial pig-control programs to Alabama through consulting and contracting with non-governmental organizations and state agencies.
Recent developments and refinement in control techniques have led to feral swine elimination in some states.
Boyd served as state director of Alabama Wildlife Services for over 20 years and holds a degree in wildlife biology from Auburn University.
|
|
Horticulture Research Benefits Growers |
|
This series from Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Director Greg Pate highlights practical research benefiting farmers at regional units. |
|
The Ornamental Horticulture Research Center (OHRC) in Mobile conducts applied research and diagnostics to support the Southeast’s thriving nursery and horticulture industry, with emphasis on issues affecting commercial growers in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Serving the area since 1951, initial studies focused on woody ornamentals, such as azaleas and camellias. That focus remains today; however, research projects also include a wide range of other ornamental crops and fruit crops.
Spotlight Project: Saving water might save money in Alabama nurseries.
- Dialing in irrigation duration can reduce fertilizer lost from a nursery pot.
- This project evaluates economic impacts of irrigation reduction to limit fertilizer loss.
- Project funding is through a Specialty Crop Block Grant awarded by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.
|
|
Virtual Field Trips Still Available Online |
|
Virtual Field Trips, which were produced live earlier this year, are available on the Federation's website.
Virtual Field Trip shorts, perfect for school settings, are also available on the Federation's YouTube channel. Shorts currently exist for catfish and honeybees.
|
|
Brenda Reese of Smiths Station died Aug. 18. Reese, 67, was involved in the Lee County Farmers Federation Women's Leadership Committee and local Farm-City activities. Click here to read about her legacy.
Waymon Buttram of Geraldine died Aug. 30. Buttram, 83, served 44 years as DeKalb County Farmers Federation president and was a former Alabama Farmers Federation state board member. Click here to read more about his legacy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
