January 29, 2024

Alabama Young Farm Family Claims Third in National Contest

Alabama farmers Brady and Anna Peek claimed third place in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Achievement Award contest for the nation’s top young farm families Jan. 22.

The Peeks, who raise row crops in Lauderdale and Limestone counties, were honored during AFBF Convention. This is the second consecutive year Alabama’s representatives have finished in the Top 3.

As third-place honorees, the Peeks received a $2,500 Investing in Your Future grant from AmericanAg; $2,500 in merchandise from Stanley Black & Decker; and a safe sponsored by Case IH. They qualified for the national contest after winning the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Outstanding Young Farm Family competition last summer. Their state prize package was worth nearly $80,000, thanks to sponsors Alfa Insurance, Alabama Ag Credit, Alabama Farm Credit, John Deere, SunSouth and TriGreen.

Convention Delegates Lead Alabama to New Frontiers 

New frontiers, new prize packages and new policy highlighted the experiences for Alabama farmers during the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention Jan. 19-24 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Convention highlights:

• Alabama's Peeks place third in Achievement Award (story above)
• AFBF Policy Business Session
• Reelection of Federation President Jimmy Parnell to AFBF Board of Directors
• Reelection of AFBF President Zippy Duvall from Georgia
• The Annual Meeting of Farm Bureau Women
• Discussion Meet competition for Limestone County's Greyson Lauderdale
• The Federation's William Green speaking on the Cultivation Stage
• 2024 Book of the Year announcement

Coffee County Young Farmers Conclude Service to National Committee

Jonathan and Sara Sanders' two-year term on the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee culminated during the 105th AFBF convention.

The Sanders grow peanuts, cotton, corn, cattle and timber in Coffee County’s Roeton community.

Jonathan served as the chair of the annual convention subcommittee, while Sara served on the promotions subcommittee.

Catfish

Following a recent decision from the U.S. Department of Commerce to significantly reduce tariffs on imported fish products from Vietnam, Alabama Republican U.S. Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt signed a letter warning of the potential repercussions for Alabama’s catfish industry. Click here to learn more.

Submitted by William Green

Forestry

A new interdisciplinary collaboration among colleges is set to make Auburn University a leader in the rapidly growing mass timber industry. The Auburn Mass Timber Collaborative will work to advance research, education and outreach in mass timber design and construction with a focus on the forestry, architecture, engineering and construction industries in the Southeast. Click here to read more.

The Forever Wild Board of Trustees plans to spend up to $1 million to enhance existing efforts to mitigate the impact of feral hog populations. Click here to read more.

Submitted by William Green

Peanuts

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, the 2023 peanut yield of 2,810 pounds per acre represents the lowest yield on record since 2010. Alabama peanut growers harvested 171,000 acres of peanuts. The 2023 total peanut production was estimated at 480,510,000 pounds.

Submitted by Kaye Lynn Hataway of Alabama Peanut Producers Association

Poultry/General Livestock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the final rule to amend organic livestock and poultry production standards. The final rule clarifies aspects of the existing USDA organic regulations that are not interpreted or enforced in a consistent manner, and better assures consumers that organic livestock products meet a consistent standard, as intended by the Organic Foods Production Act. Click here to read more.

Submitted by Colton Christjohn

Specialty Crops

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets. Applications for specialty crop block grants will be accepted through March 15 at 5 p.m. Click here to read more.

Submitted by Blake Thaxton

Alabama Forestry Commission Celebrates 100 Years with New Mural

The Alabama Forestry Commission announced its mural in downtown Montgomery has been added to the Alabama Mural Trail. Located at 513 Madison Avenue, the new mural was unveiled Jan.18 with a dedication and open house to officially kick off the agency’s centennial celebration. 

“Today we dedicate this mural to the men and women of the Alabama Forestry Commission – past, present and future – who for the last 100 years have taken seriously the commitment to protect Alabama’s forests and citizens,” said State Forester Rick Oates. 

Oates also noted the celebration would not be possible without the sponsorships of the agency’s partners. Diamond sponsors included the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association.

Extension Hosts Poultry Basics Workshop in February

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System Poultry Basics Workshop is Feb. 12-13 at the Charles C. Miller Jr. Poultry Research and Education Center in Auburn.

The agenda includes broiler management, layer production, broiler processing, hatchery managment and more.

Registration cost is $250. Click here for more information.

Congressional Deal Expands Section 179 Tax Provision

A bipartisan deal between leaders of the House and Senate tax-writing committees would raise limits on the Section 179 expensing provision that is popular with farmers. 

The deal also would restore a bonus depreciation provision to 100%. Both provisions are used by farmers to reduce the cost of equipment and machinery.

Get Ag-Tive

Simply Southern TV Airs New Episodes

Simply Southern TV turns 10 this year! With this new year, the broadcast schedule has changed in a few TV markets. Be sure to check the graphic for days and times the show airs in your area.

New upcoming episodes include:

Jan. 31 (RFD-TV): Jefferson Country Store in Marengo County, Bill’s Boots & Vicky’s Bags in Baldwin County, a legislative preview with the Alabama Farmers Federation’s Brian Hardin, and a Southern Bite recipe for Easy Apple Galette.

Feb. 3/4/7: Deadhead Logging out of Jacksonville, Florida; Smith Bird Tea Room in Autauga County; Rural Roundup; a Discover Extension feature on Grow More, Give More; and a Southern Bite recipe for a Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball.

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

• Betty Keyes Kelso-Clough, Morgan County