Economic Contribution Totals Support Ag, Forestry as a Top Alabama Industry | | |
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Agriculture and forestry provide the building blocks of society — food, fiber and timber. They also contribute a massive amount to Alabama’s economy to the tune of $77.3 billion annually, making agriculture and forestry one of the top industries in the state.
That number was among data included in the “Agriculture & Forestry Grow Alabama: An Economic Contribution Study,” released Feb.11 during a press conference hosted by the Alabama Agribusiness Council in Montgomery.
The report also found agriculture and forestry account for 273,271 jobs, or 10% of Alabama’s workforce.
“Agriculture and forestry have been in the past and continue to be an extremely important part of Alabama’s economy, but to know that we are contributing $77.3 billion to our state’s economy each year is extremely valuable,” said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “What’s really exciting is to think about how much this number could grow in the future if our state would focus on more economic development that supports these industries.”
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CTA Filing Requirement Reinstated | |
A decision from U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Feb. 18 reinstated the filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act. Generally, most businesses subject to the filing requirement will have to file their beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) by March 21, 2025. | |
Taste of Alabama Brings Grassroots to Life | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation’s grassroots efforts thrived during the organization’s annual Taste of Alabama legislative reception Feb. 19 in Montgomery.
Almost 200 legislators, elected officials and farmer-leaders gathered for Alabama-grown food, fellowship and one-on-one conversations about issues facing Alabama agriculture.
The intentional atmosphere stood out for farmers like Randolph County’s Levi Noles.
“This event brings to life the fact that Alfa is a grassroots organization,” said Noles, an agriscience educator at Central High School of Clay County. “This shows farmers that they have a voice and can bring issues to a level where it becomes a matter that gets addressed.”
As the Federation Wildlife Committee chairman, Noles’ role was to serve quail and biscuits to lawmakers during the event. He worked alongside two of his FFA chapter officers.
In addition to legislators, the Federation welcomed Gov. Kay Ivey and other constitutional officers, as well as Alabama Supreme Court justices, appellate judges and members of the Alabama State Board of Education and Public Service Commission.
This year’s menu included: heirloom corn grits from Bayou Cora Farms, Baldwin County; pulled pork from Bishop’s Barbecue, Colbert County; hanger steak from Perdido River Meats, Escambia County; U.S. farm-raised catfish from Consolidated Catfish, Greene County; grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Houston County; pecans from Priester’s Pecans, Lowndes County; honey from Choctaw Bee Company, Geneva County; ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries, Talladega County; quail and biscuits from Federation Wildlife Committee member Bob Plaster; and more.
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Young Farmers Meet in Muscle Shoals | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation Young Farmers Conference was Feb. 14-16 in Muscle Shoals. With over 450 registered attendees, the event notched the highest Young Farmers Conference attendance since 2001.
Highlights included '90s County Night, farm tours and the live auction, which raised over $27,000 for the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation.
Additionally, eight young farm families were honored for excellence in production agriculture. The Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contestants ranged from 18 to 35 years old and competed through an intense application and interview process.
Three finalist families were chosen. They are:
- Drew and Lauren Wendland, Autauga County
- Jacob and Misty Porter, Clay County
- Garrett and Robin Dixon, Lee County
As OYFF finalists, the Wendlands, Porters and Dixons will compete for more than $80,000 in prizes during on-farm judging this summer. The winner will be announced during the Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Aug. 16. All three finalists received custom Adirondack chairs courtesy of the Federation.
Additionally, five more families were honored as OYFF commodity division winners. These young farmers will serve ex-officio terms on respective state commodity committees and affiliated organization boards. They received $500 each from the Federation.
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Bigger at the Beach: AFVGA Conference Boasts Insightful Workshops, Trade Show | |
Bigger at the Beach was the overarching theme of the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference Feb. 5-7.
It was also the motivation behind increasing the trade show space to allow farmers to engage with even more exhibitors. The growing conference expanded its networking opportunities as 41 vendors and almost 300 attendees gathered in Gulf Shores.
Educational sessions continued to be a key component. Participants heard topics ranging from strawberry plug production and freeze protection to social media marketing and sales tax exemptions.
A new addition was Farm Market Speed Networking sponsored by Sweet Grown Alabama. More conference highlights included an informational farmer-panel; farm tours; variety trial showcase; and the Family Luau.
Morgan County’s Mike Reeves of Reeves Peach Farm received the AFVGA Exceptional Achievement Award. The Partner of the Year Award was presented to Mel Wade, an outside salesman for the Blount County Farmers Cooperative.
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Dairy
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The U.S. cattle herd continues to decline with the beef cow population shrinking and dairy heifer numbers down 1% year-over-year. Milk cow numbers remain stable, but replacement heifers have significantly decreased over the past five years, raising concerns about future dairy production. Record-high prices for dairy replacements, potential trade impacts and herd management strategies are key issues. Read more here.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Poultry
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Zoetis received conditional approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its avian influenza vaccine for chickens. This decision comes in response to the H5N1 strain, which has affected over 150 million birds in the U.S. since 2022. The USDA and the poultry industry will determine whether to implement vaccination in commercial flocks. The move aims to protect poultry populations and mitigate the economic impact of future outbreaks. Click here to read more.
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While highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has disrupted egg supplies, other factors are also contributing to rising U.S. egg prices. According to a CoBank report, increasing consumer demand for eggs, particularly specialty products like cage-free varieties, adds to supply challenges. The U.S. Department of Agriculture noted that per capita egg consumption has grown steadily over the past decade and is expected to continue in 2025. The shift toward cage-free production complicates supply dynamics as approximately 40% of U.S. table egg layers are now in cage-free systems. Read more.
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Since the 1920s, U.S. broiler chickens have experienced an increase in average harvest weight, rising from 3 pounds in 1955 to approximately 6.5 pounds in 2021, a 116% increase. This growth is driven by consumer demand for products like chicken sandwiches and fingers, leading poultry companies to breed larger birds to efficiently meet those preferences. Advancements in genetics, nutrition and housing enabled these changes, resulting in a 38% improvement in feed conversion efficiency and a reduction in time to market by about 20 days. These developments highlight the industry's commitment to sustainability by producing more output with fewer inputs. Read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Pork
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In 2024, U.S. pork exports reached a record 3.03 million tons, valued at $8.63 billion. That's a 4% increase in volume and a 6% rise in value from 2023. Growth was driven by demand from Mexico, Central America, Colombia, New Zealand, Malaysia and several Caribbean markets. Mexico remained the top destination, setting new records for both volume and value. Other key markets also contributed to the overall increase in pork exports. Click here to read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Row Crops
Submitted by Carla Hornady
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Sign Up for Federation Legislative News | |
Weekly updates on legislative issues impacting agriculture, landowners and rural Alabama will be sent in the Alabama Farmers Federation's Capitol Connection e-newsletter each Friday during the legislative session. | |
Alfa Health Plans Resource Available Online | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation created AHealthyOption.org, a user-friendly resource highlighting the need for affordable, convenient, quality health plans.
It houses stories and testimonials from real farmers and small business owners who are championing cost-effective health care coverage.
SB84 by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which was recently introduced in the Alabama Legislature, would authorize the Federation to offer Alfa Health Plans. Similar legislation in 10 states has lowered members’ health coverage costs anywhere from 30% to 60%.
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Perdido River Meats Holds Grand Opening | |
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Perdido River Meats, a division of Perdido River Farms in Atmore, held a grand opening of its $29 million meat processing facility Feb. 6.
The new facility specializes in premium meats that are sourced from local farmers to provide fresh, quality products for the community. The 23,000-square-foot facility will harvest around 50 head of cattle per week, increasing with demand up to 125 head per week. Approximately 15 new jobs will be created in the area with the plant's opening.
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Coffee County Farmer Testifies in U.S. Senate | |
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Coffee County Young Farmers Chairman Garrett Moore represented U.S. and Alabama peanut farmers during a Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry hearing Feb. 5.
Moore highlighted the struggles facing the peanut industry, including growers, shellers and buying points. He outlined the major financial challenges over the past few years, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, inflation, non-tariff trade barriers and low market prices. Despite the recently passed economic assistance package, farmers will still face significant deficits, with input costs rising dramatically.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall also testified.
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Strong, Tuberville Introduce Legislation to Protect U.S. Ag Land | |
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U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Ala., and U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., recently introduced legislation to protect American agricultural land.
Strong reintroduced the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act to prohibit the purchase or lease of U.S. agricultural land by individuals associated with the governments of China and other foreign adversaries.
Tuberville helped reintroduce the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act, which would prohibit the sale of U.S. agricultural land to any individual or entity tied to the governments of Iran, North Korea, China or Russia. The legislation follows Tuberville’s recent reintroduction of the Foreign Adversary Risk Management (FARM) Act to better vet foreign purchases of America’s farmland.
The Alabama Farmers Federation appreciates Strong and Tuberville's efforts and support of American agriculture.
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This Month in Neighbors Magazine | |
On The Cover: David Funderburk's favorite plant — the camellia — offers beautiful, midwinter blooms. His family propagates the traditional, Southern perennial at their Little Mountain Growers nursery in Wetumpka. | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) congratulate Brooke Rollins on her confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Click here to read more from AFBF.
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To give commenters more time to provide input, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the public comment period on a proposed rule to revoke certain tolerances for chlorpyrifos. Read more.
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Sushil Adhikari will serve as the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s interim associate dean for research and interim associate director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station. He replaces Arthur Appel, who stepped into the role of interim dean of the College of Agriculture and interim director of the Experiment Station Jan. 1. Read more.
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The Alabama Farmers Federation is hosting its Forestry & Wildlife Seminar March 21 at the Federation home office in Montgomery. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Lunch will be sponsored by the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association. Registration closes March 14. | |
The Alabama Farmers Federation State Women's Leadership Committee is excited to host the 2025 Women's Leadership Conference April 16-18 at The Hotel at Auburn University & Dixon Conference Center. The deadline to register is March 7. | |
Simply Southern TV Continues Season 11 | |
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Enjoy more new episodes of Simply Southern TV during the show's 11th season!
Feb. 23 and 26: Prattville Pickers; McMillan BBQ with Fred Hunter’s Alabama; the SLE Rodeo; and a Southern Bite recipe for Easy Swiss Steak, sponsored by Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.
March 2 and 5: Year-round farming at McKenzie Farms; Homecoming & Co. with Fred Hunter’s Alabama; What’s in Season with Sweet Grown Alabama; Discover Extension segment on canning; and a Southern Bite recipe for Easy Stromboli, sponsored by the YMCA of Greater Montgomery.
Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.
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