November 8, 2023

Farmers Encouraged to Report Drought Conditions

Alabama farmers can use the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports system to note drought-related conditions and impacts on their operations. This is a nationwide service provided by the National Drought Mitigation Center. Reports will become part of the permanent record, appearing on an interactive map visible to the public, including authors of the U.S. Drought Monitor and the media. Click here to access the form or scan the QR code to take the survey.

Statewide Burn Ban Declared by Gov. Ivey

Gov. Kay Ivey today issued a statewide Drought Emergency Declaration which prohibits all outdoor burning in Alabama. This order is effective Nov. 9 starting at 8 a.m. The order will remain in effect until rescinded by the state forester. Read more from Alabama Forestry Commission.

Skeet Shoot Raises Funds for Foundation

The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation annual Skeet Shoot was Nov. 3 at Selwood Farm in Alpine. Forty-two teams participated and helped raise about $47,000 for scholarships, agricultural literacy, livestock shows and more. In addition, attendees enjoyed pistol and shotgun instruction, archery and cookie decorating during the Ladies Event.

View event photos here.

Commodity Column

Beef

Maintaining domestic per capita beef consumption will be difficult moving forward as U.S. consumers continue to contend with higher interest rates, energy prices and inflation. The latest Cattle on Feed report showed the highest percentage of heifers on feed since record-keeping began in 1996. Over the next two years, U.S. beef production should continue to decline, raising prices for cattle and beef. These factors will undermine and reduce disposable incomes of U.S. consumers and limit their ability to purchase as much beef, leading to increases in the per capita consumption of alternative meat proteins.


Submitted by Chris Prevatt.

Cotton

In 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revoked chlorpyrifos tolerances, which effectively banned the pesticide. In 2022, the American Farm Bureau Federation, grower groups and Gharda Chemicals sued EPA in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. On Nov. 3, the court unanimously agreed and ruled EPA must base its decision on sound science and the law. The decision does not automatically make chlorpyrifos available again. The court will need to issue a mandate, and EPA may appeal. This is expected to pave the way for a return of chlorpyrifos. Gharda will be the only company with an active registration. Click here to read more.


Submitted by Carla Hornady.

Forestry

The South-wide average pine sawtimber stumpage price has held steady during the third quarter, showing no significant fluctuations when compared to levels observed in the previous four quarters. Pine sawtimber prices in the region averaged $25.98 per ton, ranging from approximately $20 per ton in Virginia to $32 per ton in Florida. The figure was roughly $2 per ton lower than the recent high in early 2022 but remained $2 per ton above the pre-pandemic level. South-wide average hardwood sawtimber price rebounded slightly to $32.39 per ton after three consecutive quarters of decline. The recent decline in pine sawtimber prices can be attributed primarily to the softened demand for lumber. Click here to read more.


Submitted by William Green.

Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod

Alabama farmers who utilize the H-2A guest worker program extend gratitude toward U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., for their recent letter to the U.S. Department of Labor.


The letter asked for an extension on the comment period for the proposed rule Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the U.S. Click here to access the letter.


Submitted by Blake Thaxton.

Peanuts

With funding for the farm bill nearing its expiration at the end of the year, peanut farmers are still questioning whether reference prices will increase. A current proposal by U.S. Rep. GT Thompson, R-Penn., aims to increase subsidies for a few select crops — peanuts, cotton and rice — but the financial support will have to come from somewhere. Click here to read more.


Submitted by Libbie Johnson.

Poultry

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial pullet farm in Marshall County. ADAI Commissioner Rick Pate and State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier released the following statement, “It is critical for commercial and backyard poultry operations to remain alert and closely monitor the health of their poultry. The HPAI-infected flock in Marshall County reinforces the need to continue following strict biosecurity measures, including keeping birds enclosed without access to wild birds or other domestic flocks.” Click here to read more.


Submitted by Colton Christjohn.

*Commodity Column Bonus*

Farm Economics and Energy

Over the second half of 2023, energy prices have fluctuated significantly in both directions. The current outlook for U.S. energy prices is dim with no expected increases in domestic supply, no increases in foreign production from OPEC, little change in domestic demand and a federal government in need to buy back crude oil to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The events taking place globally have immediate and long-term impacts on the price of energy, causing irreversible damage to businesses overnight. If tensions continue to escalate in major oil-producing regions of the world, farmers should consider evaluating their immediate business needs and have them on-hand.


Submitted by Chris Prevatt.

New County Presidents Sharpen Leadership Skills

Eight new county Federation presidents spent Nov. 6-7 at the home office in Montgomery for an orientation preparing them to better lead their counties.


Over the two days, county presidents toured departments; received media training; and developed knowledge of Alfa Insurance, Federation history and Federation policy.


They are:

  • Jon Hegeman, Calhoun County
  • Eric Lovvorn, Cleburne County
  • Tommy Thompson, Covington County
  • Steve Dunn, Geneva County
  • Robert Walters, Lee County
  • Kathy Gordon, Montgomery County
  • Billy Hixon, Pike County
  • Denzil Dees, Sumter County

Alabama Represented at National FFA Convention

The 96th annual National FFA Convention & Expo Nov. 1-3 brought 70,000 young leaders to Indianapolis, Indiana, to celebrate agricultural education and leadership development. Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell; Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth; Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey; Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Huntsville; and Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro joined the Alabama delegation Nov. 2-3. Learn more here.

Farmers Tour Georgia, Florida Specialty Crop Operations

Farmers on the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Bus Tour explored operations in Florida and Georgia Nov. 6-8. Attendees saw large-scale operations, research facilities and more. Click here to see more of the tour adventures.

Alabama Ag Credit Awards JumpStart Grants

Five farmers in central and south Alabama received $10,000 grants from Alabama Ag Credit's JumpStart initiative. The program awards start-up farmers who began farming within the past two years or who plan to farm in the next year in the Alabama Ag Credit 40-county territory.


2023 recipients are:

  • Caitlin Blackmon, Coffee County
  • Jason Kudulis, Mobile County
  • Jacqueline McArthur, Macon County
  • Kaitlyn & Cade Newton, Henry County
  • Austin Steen, Pike County
Read more here.

Cost-Share Available for Portable Bridges

Financial incentives are available to help forest landowners, loggers and timber companies across Alabama by sharing the cost of portable bridges they transport to logging sites. Applications are due Nov. 17.


The use of temporary bridges for crossing streams assists in keeping equipment and sediment out of sensitive areas. Administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission, this cost-share funding is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.


The first 40 applications will be accepted. Grant applications will be ranked and those with the highest scores will be funded until the available money is expended.

Learn more here.

Sacrifice, Service Define Tuscaloosa County Farmer-Veteran

Read the story here.

Red, white and blue adorn the top of a flagpole overlooking pastures at Leavelle Farms in Tuscaloosa County. That flag represents more to Clyde Leavelle, a retired colonel in the Army Reserves, than most who gaze upon it driving down Foxfire Road. 


Clyde grew up on that same farmland, roaming the countryside and “playing Army” at every opportunity.


“I started meeting with my congressman’s representative when I was in the sixth grade,” Clyde said. “I was seeking an appointment to West Point. Sen. John Sparkman nominated me, and I got in.”


Clyde spent the next four years honing skills at the rigorous U.S. military academy in New York. While at West Point, Clyde’s roommate invited him to New Jersey, where the small-town Alabamian met Sally, his now-wife. 

Get Ag-Tive

Quick Clicks

  • Producers are increasingly adopting the Livestock Risk Protection Program, commonly known as LRP. This program is designed to protect ranchers against falling cattle prices. Click here to read more about the program.


  • The Alabama Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) offers more than 35 conservation practices that support wildlife management, erosion control, water quality improvement and forest stand improvement. Administered through the Alabama Agricultural and Conservation Development Commission, CIP helps landowners offset the cost of installing conservation practices by providing a 75% rebate on these costs. Learn more here.



  • As late-season drought hits, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., encourages crop and livestock producers in Alabama to consider accessing the U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency loan and disaster assistance programs. Click here to read more.



  • The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program seeks to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, provide better markets to small farms and food businesses and support the development of value-added products for consumers. The new program will also encourage fair prices and fair wages and establish new and safe job opportunities. Click here to read more.


  • Property rights were struck a blow last week. The U.S. Supreme Court denied a Petition for Certiorari filed by North Carolina and the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation seeking review of a decision striking down a portion of the state’s Property Protection Act, often called an “ag gag” law. Read more here.

Simply Southern TV

Tune in to Simply Southern for stories about agriculture, rural living and the good things going on in Alabama!


Nov 12 and 15: Auburn University’s Bee Lab, AU-Bees; shooting sporting clays at Selwood Farm; Rural Roundup; Extension’s Farm and Outdoors segment on Aquaponics; and a Southern Bite recipe for Peach Chess Pie, sponsored by the Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.


Nov 19 and 22: Outstanding Young Farm Family second runners-up Mitchell and Rebecca Henry of Lawrence County; the North Alabama Agriplex; an interview with the Federation’s Mitt Walker about the farm bill; a Sweet Grown Alabama segment on how satsumas are grown; and a Southern Bite recipe for the Best Garlic Bread.


For those who watch Simply Southern on WLTZ out of Columbus, Georgia, we will not air on Saturdays the next two weeks. Instead, the scheduled shows will air on Sunday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. Central time. This is due to national network coverage pre-emption.


To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”

Alabama AgCast Features Young Farmers

Events & Deadlines

  • Nov. 13-14 - Alfa Youth Leadership Conference







In Memory

Homer Tate - Madison County

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