Alabama Farmers Applaud H-2A Wage Rule | | |
The Alabama Farmers Federation is praising an interim final rule by the Department of Labor (DOL) which makes the H-2A agricultural guest worker program more accessible and affordable for farmers who produce America’s food and fiber.
Farmers hiring H-2A guest workers are required to pay an Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) to ensure the local workforce is not negatively impacted.
New AEWR wage requirements are effective immediately. In Alabama, 92% of all on-farm jobs are expected to fall in Skill Level I.
| | Torbert Takes Top Honor in Collegiate Discussion Meet | |
An Auburn University (AU) senior with a passion for public service took top honors in the Alabama Farmers Federation Collegiate Discussion Meet Oct. 3 in Opelika.
Ty Torbert bested seven competitors from three universities in the competition which encourages collaboration and problem solving through simulated committee meetings. The contest was sponsored by the Federation’s Young Farmers Division and featured discussions about digital engagement, environmental stewardship and urban sprawl.
As the first-place winner, Torbert received a $1,000 cash scholarship from the Federation and Farm Bureau Bank. He will go on to represent Alabama in national competition at the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference next March in Portland, Oregon.
Rounding out the Top 5 were J.B. Rhodes, second place and $750; Kaleigh McGrew, third place and $500; Mackenzie Smith, fourth place and $250; and Will Aycock, fifth place and $125. Rhodes and Aycock are seniors in the AU College of Agriculture. McGrew is a senior in news media at the University of Alabama, and Smith is a Troy University freshman majoring in elementary education.
| | Ag Professionals Join Leadership Alabama | | |
Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Insurance Director of Communications & Public Relations Jeff Helms was selected for Leadership Alabama Class XXXV.
Leadership Alabama gives established leaders an opportunity to develop a network of relationships and provides a structure to seek mutual understanding of problems and priorities for Alabama’s future.
Additionally, four agricultural professionals were chosen for the Alabama Leadership Initiative Class VIII.
Winston County's Zack Brannon, Coffee County's Colton Christjohn, Hale County's Rejeana Gvillo and Autauga County's Ellie Watson will develop personal leadership skills and establish ongoing relationships with other young leaders across the state during the six-month program comprised of three, two-day retreats.
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Zack Brannon
Alabama Extension
Winston County Farmers Federation
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Colton Christjohn
Alabama Farmers Federation Commodity Director
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Rejeana Gvillo
Global Commodity Analyst
Hale County Farmers Federation
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Ellie Watson
Sweet Grown Alabama
Autauga County Farmers Federation
| | | Agriculture Snapshots Shine in Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest | | |
Decades of snapshots have spotlighted Alabama agriculture during the perennial farmer-favorite Farming Feeds Alabama Photo Contest.
This year’s competition celebrated various commodities — from row crops and cattle to equine and forestry.
The contest, which was sponsored by the Federation and ran from May to September, was divided into two categories. The youth division was for photographers 17 years of age and younger, while the adult division included 18-year-old entrants and up. Three overall winners were chosen in each category. Adult winners will receive a Sweet Grown Alabama Christmas Gift Box donated by Sweet Grown Alabama. Youth champions earned a custom Farming Feeds Alabama Bluetooth speaker.
Adult Division:
- Blakeney Rice of Hale County
- Haley Haney of Monroe County
- Carly Puckett of Russell County
Youth Division:
- SarahRose Fleming of Calhoun County
- Audrey Blocker of Cullman County
- Ava Villari of St. Clair County
Honorable Mentions include Calhoun County’s Daniel Lee and Cullman County’s Kynleigh Wood.
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Cotton
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The National Cotton Council has launched "Plant Not Plastic. Because what you wear matters" — a campaign to build awareness among consumers of the potentially harmful microplastics found in synthetic textiles and guide them toward choosing cotton clothes. Learn more.
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Dairy
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Beef on dairy production is expanding as dairy producers use beef genetics to increase the value of calves traditionally sold at low prices. Crossbred calves offer improved muscling and carcass traits, which bring higher premiums and provide a new revenue stream for dairies facing tight margins. While the trend enhances calf value and supply chain efficiency, its overall impact on total U.S. beef production remains modest. Learn more.
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Poultry
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Poultry litter contains valuable nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon and micronutrients, making it a rich fertilizer when managed properly. With rising costs of commercial fertilizer, using litter can substantially reduce input expenses while recycling nutrients in agricultural systems. However, challenges in storage, handling, transportation and correct application rates must be addressed to realize its full value. Soil testing, nutrient analysis, timing and precise application all contribute to the litter’s potential while ensuring sustainability. Learn more.
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U.S. broiler production increased in 2024 because of more birds and heavier weights, aided by higher prices and lower feed costs. However, there may be a shortage of chicks by early 2026 because of fewer broiler-type pullets. Egg production has declined since 2019, worsened by the loss of many hens to avian influenza. Even with price changes, Americans are eating fewer eggs, dropping from 286 per person in 2020 to 271 in 2024. Read more.
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Pork
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Hog producers are projected to see profits of $20 to $25 per head in 2025, with results ranging from breakeven to about $46 per head depending on operational efficiency. Average profits are expected to decline to around $14 per head in 2026 as market conditions weaken. The cost of production is estimated at $83 per carcass hundredweight, a 3% reduction from 2024 levels but still higher than pre-2020 costs. A slightly smaller national hog inventory is expected to support pork prices 5% to 10% higher year over year in late 2025. Learn more.
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The U.S. hog inventory has dipped slightly, with the total number of hogs on farms down from a year ago. The decline is attributed to a smaller breeding herd, creating challenges for future pork production. However, the overall market hog inventory remains stable, suggesting the current pork supply may not be significantly affected in the short term. Industry experts are monitoring the trend closely, as continued declines in breeding numbers could lead to tighter supplies and higher prices in the coming months. Read more.
| | | Alabama Represented at Sunbelt Ag Expo | | |
Alabama was well represented Oct. 14-16 at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia.
The Auburn University Young Farmers placed second in Advocacy in Action. This contest allows students to showcase knowledge, advocacy skills and innovative ideas through in-person pitches and online video submissions.
Team members were Audrey Garrett, Caleb Mills and John Braxton Rhodes.
Dr. Nealy Barrett of Elmore County represented Alabama in the Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest. His family's farm, Bar Neal, was selected as the 2025 Alabama Farm of Distinction.
The next Sunbelt Ag Expo is Oct. 20-22, 2026.
| | Stock the Alfa Cares Closet at Children's Hospital of Alabama | | |
Alfa® is proud to introduce a special service project with its Youth Leadership Conference in support of patients and families at Children’s Hospital of Alabama.
Each year, Children’s Hospital in Birmingham has more than 16,000 admissions. Many families arrive unexpectedly or remain for extended periods of time. The goal is to provide 15,000 hygiene kits for patients and families so they have one less worry during their stay.
The Alabama Farmers Federation is asking each county Young Farmers Committee, Women’s Leadership Committee, Federation board and Alfa employees to help collect hygiene items, which will then be packaged at the Youth Leadership Conference Nov. 10-11. Representatives from Children’s Hospital will meet with young leaders at the 4-H Center in Columbiana to accept the assembled kits.
An Amazon wish list has been created with items organized by Area (1-10). Items on the list show the area number, quantity of each product needed and number already purchased. Items are set to automatically ship to the Alfa home office and must arrive no later than Monday, Nov. 3.
Please note: Amazon has been chosen because items come individually wrapped within the bulk package for sanitary purposes as requested by Children’s Hospital.
Counties may also choose to donate funds for this project. Please make monetary donations by Oct. 24.
| | National Fair Spotlights Youth Livestock Projects | | The Alabama National Fair Oct. 3-13 spotlighted youth livestock projects. Over 130 students exhibited animals in the beef, goat, dairy, sheep and swine youth shows. | | Ag Law & You Column Seeking Topic Ideas | | |
Neighbors magazine is seeking topic suggestions for its quarterly Ag Law & You column, where the Alabama Farmers Federation's Preston Roberts expounds on issues relevant to farmers and landowners.
Popular subjects have included hunting liability law, tax exemptions, foreign ownership of agricultural land and more.
Have a top-of-mind issue Roberts should tackle? Email ideas to proberts@alfafarmers.org.
| | Register Now for Annual Meeting | | |
The Alabama Farmers Federation is hosting its 104th annual meeting Dec. 7-9 in Montgomery.
The deadline for hotel reservations is Oct. 31, while Nov. 30 is the last day to register for the conference and meals.
| | | Coming Up on Simply Southern TV | | |
Enjoy more episodes of Simply Southern TV during the show's 11th season.
Oct. 19 & Oct. 21: Alabama's 2025 Farm of Distinction winners, Dothan’s Landmark Park, farmer update on weather conditions and Stacey Little's Slow Cooker Beef Tips.
Oct. 26 & Oct. 28: Opelika’s Botanic Restaurant, Justalil’ Rodeo Company, gardening tips with Extension’s Mallory Kelley and Stacey Little’s Secret Ingredient Fruit Salad.
Follow Simply Southern on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest news about the show.
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