Farmers Fill State House for Health Plans Hearing | | |
Dozens of farmers showed support for Alfa Health Plans legislation during a House Health Committee public hearing April 2 at the Alabama State House.
HB 477 by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, would authorize the Alabama Farmers Federation to provide Alfa Health Plans as a member benefit option to counter rising health care costs.
Dale County farmer Monica Carroll, Henry County farmer Emmanuel Bankston and Shelby County farmer Phillip Hunter testified during the hearing. Additionally, Ben Sanders of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation (TFBF) shared insights on TFBF's decades-old health plan, which will serve as a model for the Federation’s upcoming health plans.
The committee will likely vote on the legislation April 8. Final details have not been posted. For accurate time and date on the committee vote, check the Capitol Connection newsletter and legislative website.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin thanked farmer-members for rallying in Montgomery this week. He encouraged members to keep building momentum and attend next week's vote.
Hardin also urged farmers to contact representatives who serve on the House Health Committee or ask their local lawmaker to talk with committee members.
“I encourage our members to please reach out to your local representative and senator and share your story," Hardin said. "Share how the high cost of health care has impacted you and how Alfa Health Plans could help. Ask your local lawmakers to vote 'yes' in committee, 'yes' on the final vote and 'no' to any amendments that would take away the benefits affordable health care could have for you.”
| | Learn Who Alfa Health Plans Could Benefit | | Alabama Counties Named Disaster Areas | | |
Twenty Alabama counties have been designated 'primary natural disaster areas' by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins due to a recent drought. They are Autauga, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Dallas, Franklin, Greene, Hale, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Lowndes, Madison, Marengo, Morgan, Perry, Sumter, Washington, Wilcox and Winston.
Contiguous disaster counties are Baldwin, Bibb, Butler, Colbert, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman, Elmore, Jackson, Marion, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Pickens, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker.
| | Trump Announces Tariff Plan | | |
President Donald Trump announced a new, 10% across-the-board tariff April 2, in addition to reciprocal duties that will apply to specific trade partners.
The former will kick in April 5, while country-specific reciprocal duties will take effect April 9.
A White House fact sheet notes higher reciprocal tariffs were reserved for countries with which "the United States has the largest trade deficits."
| | Blue Jackets Flood Capitol Hill for FFA Day | | |
Hundreds of Alabama FFA members flooded the Alabama State Capitol April 1 for FFA Day on the Hill.
Students visited Gov. Kay Ivey, met with legislators and other elected officials, and witnessed the legislative process firsthand.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Sen. Merika Coleman spoke to members in the Capitol Auditorium, while Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, Secretary of State Wes Allen, House Ag & Forestry Committee Chairman Danny Crawford and Rep. Marcus Paramore met with students at Alabama Cattlemen's Association.
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Beef
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Feeder cattle prices continue to be a whirlwind for beef cattle producers. Since prices locally bottomed in early November, feeder cattle futures (August 2025 contract) have increased by $48.70/cwt. (~20%) in the last 150 days. This price increase is equivalent to $389.60/head on an 800-lb. feeder steer and $24,350 per truckload unit. For cow-calf and stocker operators, marketing during this time period offers many producers an excellent opportunity to lock in some profits. Learn more.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
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Poultry
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The U.S. table egg layer population hit its lowest level March 1 since 2011 due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). With 285.1 million layers, the population is down 28.3 million from the previous year. To counteract this decline, the industry increased pullet placements by 5.5% year-over-year, indicating efforts to rebuild flocks. Egg prices have been volatile, peaking at $8.51 per dozen in early March before dropping to $3.96 as consumers reduced purchases. With rising pullet numbers and improved production indicators, egg supplies are expected to recover, potentially stabilizing prices unless future HPAI outbreaks occur. Learn more here.
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To stabilize egg supply, the U.S. Department of Agriculture secured egg import commitments from Turkey and South Korea and reduced U.S. shell egg exports by 8%. Additionally, the agency invested $100 million in research for HPAI prevention, therapeutics and potential vaccines, while expanding biosecurity assessments for poultry facilities. Read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
| | | Planting Report Forecast Corn Up, Cotton Down | | |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service released its 2025 Prospective Planting Report March 31. The report compares projected acreage to 2024 numbers.
The report surveyed nearly 74,000 farmers between Feb. 27 and March 18 on intended crops. Due to market conditions and a large dip in acreage last year, farmers plan to plant more corn, moving away from cotton, wheat and soybeans.
Findings show farmers nationwide are forecast to plant 95.3 million acres of corn in 2025, a 5.2% increase of 4.7 million acres compared to corn planted last year.
Key findings from Alabama:
- Corn - estimated at 330,000 acres, up 22%
- Cotton - estimated at 360,000 acres, down 10%
- Hay - estimated at 660,000 acres, down 4%
- Peanuts - estimated at 195,000 acres, up 3%
- Soybeans - estimated at 310,000 acres, down 14%
- Winter wheat - estimated at 115,000 acres, up 5%
| | Tuberville, Moore Bill Could Boost Pecan Industry | | |
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville recently reintroduced the Farmers' Market Expansion Act, which would make pecans eligible for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). U.S. Rep. Barry Moore is leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Their efforts could help farmers like Randolph County's Bran Futral.
“The attention to the pecan industry in Alabama continues to grow," said Futral, Alabama Pecan Growers Association president. "Pecans being added to the SFMNP would be a huge win for growers. The fit here is a benefit to all — providing an additional market for growers and providing high-quality nutrition for seniors."
| | Britt, Cornyn Introduce Feral Swine Eradication Bill | | |
U.S. Sens. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, recently introduced the Feral Swine Eradication Act, which would extend and make permanent a pilot program to safeguard public health, agriculture and local ecosystems against the threat of feral swine.
There are approximately 255,000 feral hogs across all 67 Alabama counties, which cause more than $50 million in damage each year. The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) was established in the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to rampant feral swine outbreaks and was implemented by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS).
This program included feral swine removal by APHIS, restoration efforts supported by NRCS, and assistance to producers for feral swine control through grants with non-federal partners. NRCS and APHIS successfully carried out pilot projects in 10 states.
| | Federation Seminar Educates Landowners | | |
Over 60 landowners, farmers and industry professionals gathered at the Alabama Farmers Federation home office in Montgomery March 21 for the Forestry & Wildlife Seminar.
The event boasted an incredible group of speakers from Alabama Extension, Alabama Forestry Commission, Auburn University (AU), Manulife, Quail Forever and the AU Solon Dixon Center.
The Alabama TREASURE Forest Association sponsored lunch.
| | Sign Up for Federation Legislative News | | | | Weekly updates on legislative issues impacting agriculture, landowners and rural Alabama are sent in the Alabama Farmers Federation's Capitol Connection e-newsletter each Friday during the legislative session. | | |
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Josh Lee will join Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System as an Extension specialist for cotton July 1. Lee's responsibilities include in-service training for Extension agents, conveying information about new developments from industry to stakeholders, conducting applied research related to cotton production and mentoring graduate students. Click here to read more.
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The Alabama Farmers Federation Women's Leadership Committee is raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama through a special online store. Branded, ag-focused offerings include hats, T-shirts and sweatshirts. Shop new designs here.
| | Apply for Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute | | |
Applications for the Alabama Ag in the Classroom Summer Institute are due April 15.
The event, June 11-13 in Mobile, is a free continuing education seminar for teachers and educational specialists.
| | Simply Southern TV Continues Season 11 | | |
Enjoy more episodes of Simply Southern TV during the show's 11th season!
April 6th & 9th: Kevin Worthington takes viewers on a Beef Tour in Tennessee; a testimonial from the Haynes family on their struggles with health care; an update on the Alfa Health Plans efforts in the Alabama Legislature; and Stacey Little's easy recipe for creamy peanut butter fudge.
April 13th and 16th: Kevin Worthington takes viewers to a school introducing young students to raising bees; teachers from across Alabama tour a catfish farm; “What’s in Season” with Sweet Grown Alabama; and Stacey Little's cathead biscuit recipe.
Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.
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