Gov. Ivey Signs Alfa Health Plans Into Law | | |
Gov. Kay Ivey signed HB 477 into law May 7. The legislation authorizes the Alabama Farmers Federation to provide Alfa Health Plans as a coverage option for its members who qualify.
Federation President Jimmy Parnell expressed gratitude to the governor for her support.
“We thank Gov. Ivey for signing this important legislation into law,” Parnell said. “Farmers and other small business owners face incredible challenges when it comes to health coverage. The Alabama Farmers Federation is excited to help our members address soaring health care costs by providing an option through Alfa Health Plans. Gov. Ivey is a pro-business governor whose track record for encouraging economic growth is unparalleled. This legislation will help remove another barrier that is preventing farmers and entrepreneurs from investing in their businesses and communities. We appreciate Gov. Ivey’s steadfast leadership for the people of Alabama.”
Ivey praised the bill sponsors, who joined her and Federation representatives for the signing.
“I was pleased to sign HB 477 to create a good health coverage option that aims to help our farmers,” Ivey said. “I appreciate Sen. Arthur Orr, Rep. David Faulkner, Jimmy Parnell and all the folks at Alfa for their work on this effort.”
Also on hand for the signing were Senate and House leadership, whom Parnell thanked following final passage.
The last day of the 2025 regular session was May 14.
| | Farmers Would Benefit From U.S. House Budget Reconciliation Bill | | |
Two committees in the U.S. House of Representatives completed passage of their bills through the budget reconciliation process this week.
The House Committee on Agriculture is advancing a number of the key provisions included in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 approved by the committee last year. Meanwhile, the House Ways and Means Committee reported legislation that would address many tax provisions and help U.S. farm families.
If enacted, the Ag Committee’s bill would increase reference prices and marketing loan rates. Payment limits for commodity programs increase from $125,000 to $155,000 and allow up to 30 million new base acres to become eligible for ARC and PLC payments. Additionally, the bill would continue funding the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program and increase funding for a number of popular voluntary conservation programs.
Tax policies advanced by the Ways and Means Committee include making permanent the individual tax policies from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approved during U.S. President Donald Trump's first term. It also expands and makes permanent the 199A small business deduction at 23%; increases limits for Section 179 expensing; and increases the estate tax exemption to $15 million per person, or $30 million for married couples. The exemption would be made permanent and indexed to inflation.
| | Disaster Assistance Timeline Released | | |
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the tentative timeline for several disaster programs funded by the American Relief Act of 2025.
The act provided the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, previously announced with sign-up ending Aug. 15. The legislation provides $30 billion in assistance to farmers who continue to navigate a tough agricultural economy.
The additional programs and projected sign-up dates are:
Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP)
- Drought and Wildfire – May 30
- Flooding – Aug. 18
Supplemental Disaster Relief Program
- Indemnified losses – July 7
- Uncovered/shallow losses – Sept. 15
USDA is reviewing block grants submitted by states, including Alabama, for other losses not otherwise covered, such as timber-related losses. Those agreements are projected to be executed by the end of June.
| | Nominate Experts for Annual Ag Awards | | |
Alabama farmers are encouraged to nominate research and Extension personnel whose work tangibly impacted their farms for two awards from the Alabama Farmers Federation. Nominations close June 6.
The Rittenour Award for Production Agriculture & Forestry Research recognizes Auburn University faculty for creative and original research. The winner receives up to $10,000 in program support, which can fund graduate students or research.
The Duncan Award for Excellence in Production Agriculture & Forestry Extension honors Alabama Extension staff developing or implementing solutions for stakeholder-identified problems. The winner receives up to $5,000 for programming costs.
Winners will be recognized in August during the Federation’s Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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Beef
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The U.S. closed its border to Mexican cattle imports due to continued expansion of screwworm in southern Mexico. The loss of feeder cattle imports into the U.S. will further tighten feeder cattle supplies. Record high feeder calf prices will likely maintain upward pressure. Read more.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
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Equine
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Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier encourage horse owners to vaccinate for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV). Read more.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
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Fruit & Vegetable
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Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers are encouraged to attend the Fruit & Vegetable Field Tour May 29 in Clanton. The agenda includes research trials and demonstrations with personnel from Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The tour will highlight new varieties and integrated pest management strategies, as well as focus on production issues in common fruit and vegetable crops. Learn more.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod
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The Alabama Farmers Federation Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division and the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association are hosting an industry tour June 25-27 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The agenda includes farm tours, legislative news, insight on policy initiatives, labor updates and more. Register by May 23.
Submitted by Blake Thaxton
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Poultry
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Alabama Cooperative Extension System is hosting a Commercial Poultry Basics Workshop June 4-5 in Auburn. The event offers an introductory workshop covering hatchery management; live production of broiler breeders and broiler management; feed manufacturing; disease challenges; economics of broiler production; and broiler processing. Register here.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Pork
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a gene-editing technology by Genus that makes pigs resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), marking the first U.S. approval of gene-edited livestock for commercial use. The technology deletes a portion of the CD163 gene, which the virus uses to infect pigs, without affecting the animals' health or meat quality. This approval is expected to reduce antibiotic use, improve animal welfare and cut greenhouse gas emissions in pork production. Genus is also seeking regulatory approval in major export markets like China, Canada and Japan. Read more.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Peanuts
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The annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference is July 23-25 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Registration ends June 15. View agenda and register.
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Changing the narrative around peanuts in schools remains a key priority for the National Peanut Board and its industry partners. Through engagement at national and state levels, strategic events and educational outreach, they are seeing measurable progress. Media coverage of peanuts in schools dropped by 87%. In 2024, only six states reported stories related to peanut bans, compared with 15 states in 2023. Read more.
Submitted by Kaye Lynn Hataway, APPA
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Row Crops
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The 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates released its latest report May 12. View a summary.
Submitted by Carla Hornady
| | | Carroll to Lead State's Farm Service Agency | | |
Alabama farmer Monica Carroll is bringing decades of agricultural experience, plus a passion for serving people, to her new role as the state’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director. Appointed by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Carroll began May 5.
A subset of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FSA handles critical programs related to conservation, natural disasters and risk management.
As executive director, Carroll will work closely with the FSA State Committee, a panel of farmers tasked with implementing federal programs. Carroll chaired that committee during the previous Trump administration.
Carroll’s appointment comes at a critical time for Alabama agriculture. Farmers are facing the worst economic crisis since the 1980s; a relief program passed last year is being implemented; and Congress is expected to draft a long-overdue farm bill later this year.
Carroll and her husband, Chris, have firsthand knowledge of FSA’s significance. Their diversified 4C Land & Cattle Co. outside Ozark in Dale County includes stocker cattle, poultry, row crops, hay and timber. Their children — daughter Brittany (Blake) Gulledge and son Blake (Savanna) Carroll — are involved on the farm, too.
| | Farmers Warned About UCC Scam | | |
Alabama farmers are once again being targeted by a scam related to Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) forms.
Alabama Farmers Federation Area Organization Director Jacob Davis reported farmers in Covington County received official-looking mailings titled “Alabama UCC Statement Request Form.” The mailing, which originated from “AL UCC Statement Service” in Montgomery, attempts to collect $98 from the farmer recipients.
The Federation has been in touch with the Alabama Department of Revenue and Alabama Secretary of State (SOS) Wes Allen. They are working to warn farmers and business owners about the fraudulent activity. A similar mail campaign prompted a warning in 2023.
“Alabama business owners should toss mailers from third-party companies that say they will work with the SOS office on your behalf in the trash,” a spokesperson for Allen said at the time. “These organizations are not affiliated with or authorized by the SOS office in any way. They are charging excessive amounts for something you likely will never need and, if you do, can easily acquire.”
UCC filings reflect liens placed on certain personal property, such as equipment, accounts receivable, etc., that generally cannot be titled or deeded, like automobiles, aircraft, boats and real estate. The main purpose of a UCC is to perfect the secured interest of the secured party in personal property collateral.
| | Enter the Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest | | |
The Alabama Farmers Federation is searching for a bumper crop of snapshots displaying forestry and agriculture through the Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest.
Online submissions will be accepted today through Sept. 15.
| | Sign Up for Young Farmers Competitions | |
Alabama Young Farmers are encouraged to sign up for Excellence in Agriculture and Discussion Meet competitions by June 1.
Contests will be in August during the Alabama Farmers Federation's Farm & Land Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
| | Allbright Wins Alabama House Primary | | |
Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidate Heath Allbright, a Cullman County businessman, farmer and former school board member, was victorious in Tuesday's House District 11 special election.
District 11 encompasses parts of Cullman and Blount counties, including the Snead, Oneonta, Hanceville and Blountsville communities.
Allbright will face democratic nominee Alex Braswell in the special general election Aug. 26.
| | | This Month in Neighbors Magazine | | On The Cover: Hundreds of hardworking youth exhibited dairy cattle, swine and beef cattle during the Jr. Livestock Expo in March. Winning animals and showmen are featured in this special issue of Neighbors magazine. | |
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The American Farm Bureau Federation is seeking entrepreneurs to apply online by June 9 for the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. In its 12th year, this national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Learn more.
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A random sampling of Alabama farmers will receive the Alabama Farm Poll from Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University researchers via the U.S. Postal Service. This poll is the first step toward providing Alabama lawmakers and decision-makers with agricultural data from Alabama farmers. Read more.
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Enjoy more episodes of Simply Southern TV during the show's 11th season.
May 18 & 20: A visit to Little Mountain Growers family nursery in Elmore County; Baldwin County’s Navy Cove Oysters; an interview with People Against a Littered State (PALS) Executive Director Jamie Mitchell; and Stacey Little's Deviled Ham.
May 25 & 27: A visit to Prattville Pickers; McMillan’s BBQ in Mobile County; Brian Hardin with the Alabama Farmers Federation discusses what’s next after Alfa Health Plan legislation was signed by Gov. Ivey; and Stacey Little's Swiss Steak.
Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.
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