Alabama-grown food, fellowship and one-on-one conversations filled the room during the Alabama Farmers Federation annual Taste of Alabama legislative reception April 5 in Montgomery.
Over 100 elected officials and numerous farmer-leaders gathered at the Federation home office as legislators engaged with their local constituents.
Gov. Kay Ivey and other constitutional officers were in attendance.
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U.S. Congressman Moore Holds Farm Bill Listening Session |
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Farmers asked questions and shared concerns with Moore and his staff, along with staff of U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate.
Moore is a member of the House Agriculture Committee and serves on subcommittees for Conservation and Forestry & Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. Other listening sessions were held April 5 in Dothan and April 6 in Andalusia.
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Senator Visits Jefferson County Farm |
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U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, visited Nelson Cattle & Hay April 4 in Jefferson County.
Britt, Christy and Evan Nelson talked fuel prices, input costs and land regulations.
The Alabama Farmers Federation commends Britt on her dedication to fighting for agriculture and keeping farmers' needs on the forefront of her agenda.
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Congressman Visits Madison County Farm |
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U.S. Congressman Dale Strong, R-Alabama, visited Tate Farms in Madison County this week.
Strong visited on their first day of planting for the 2023 season.
The Alabama Farmers Federation thanks Strong for fighting for farmers in Washington, D.C.
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Federation Forestry And Wildlife Seminar Held In March |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation hosted its Forestry & Wildlife Seminar March 24 at the home office in Montgomery. Over 60 landowners and industry professionals gathered — eager to learn. Thirty counties were represented.
Attendees left with an overview of economic development, forestry markets, the Alabama Wild Pig Control Pilot Program and wild turkey research.
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Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit Application Open |
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The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) announced it will administer the Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit program to protect livestock. Livestock producers experiencing depredation from black vultures may apply for this no-cost permit. The permit is good for this calendar year and must be renewed each year.
All applicants for the depredation sub-permit must agree to the requirements found in the Authorizations and Conditions section of the black vulture depredation permitting page at agi.alabama.gov. These authorizations and conditions are part of the statewide permit issued to ADAI by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. ADAI cannot alter these provisions.
All approved applicants will be allowed to take up to three black vultures as long as the statewide take number has not exceeded 500. Approved applicants must report each take within 48 hours. If 500 vultures are harvested in the state, applicants will receive an email notifying them that no more vultures may be taken during the permit period.
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Alabama row crop farmers are forecast to follow national planting trends this spring, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Prospective Plantings Report issued March 31.
The report estimates 2023 Alabama crops and acreage as follows:
- Corn - 350,000 acres, up 17%
- Cotton - 400,000 acres, down 8%
- Peanuts - 170,000 acres, up 3%
- Soybeans - 380,000 acres, up 6%
- Winter wheat - 210,000 acres, up 17%
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AEWR Methodology Change a Blow to Growers |
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Here is the recipe that the U.S. Department of Labor used to create the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the U.S. final rule.
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Step one: Copy the proposed rule of the same name released on Dec. 1, 2021.
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Step two: Paste.
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Step three: Sprinkle in some references to having received comments from a range of stakeholders from the public, private and nonprofit sectors, but fail to incorporate any of the suggestions.
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Step four: Add a dash of “it’s not our job” in response to some of the comments received.
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Step five: Publish the final rule, which “is adopting the methodology proposed in the 2021 AEWR NPRM without change,” in the Federal Register on Feb. 28, 2023. Barring any last-minute change of heart or legal action, this new wage regime goes into effect today, Thursday, March 30.
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Poultry Producer Workshop Set For April 27 |
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Notice is hereby given that the Alabama peanut referendum will be held on April 20, 2023, during established office hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. To obtain a list of the 2023 polling places, growers can contact the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) office, any APPA board member or visit the association website. Learn more here.
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Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) research has been ongoing at Auburn University for more than 40 years. However, the recent shift to a forage focus is a direct reflection of Alabama Cooperative Extension System professionals who want to make forage production more efficient and more cost effective for Alabama producers. Click here to read more.
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Mark Smith, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System professor of forestry and wildlife sciences, has answered the call of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee (NWSAC). Recently appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Smith will serve a two-year term on this panel to assist those protecting U.S. agricultural resources. Click here to read more.
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April 13 - Farm-City Awards Banquet in Birmingham
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June 5 - Young Farmers of Alabama Golf Tournament in Montgomery
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Simply Southern TV Reruns Feature New Segments |
Shows air over the weekend on six broadcast stations and on Wednesdays on national cable network RFD-TV.
April 8/9/10: Weevil Way, Legacy Heritage’s Community Garden, What’s in Season with Sweet Grown Alabama, a strawberry feature with Scott Penton of Penton Farms and a Southern Bite recipe for Saltine Crusted Chicken Tenders sponsored by Alabama Poultry & Egg Association
April 15/16/19: Wildlife Nursery, Gatos and Beans, an interview with Alabama Extension’s Mike Clardy, Extension’s Farm and Outdoors segment on crape myrtles, and a Southern Bite recipe for Apple Dapple Sheet Cake sponsored by Priester’s Pecans
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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