Alabama Pork Producer Picked for National Leadership Institute | | |
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Walker County’s Daniel Tubbs was recently selected for the Pork Leadership Institute.
“It’s a great honor to be a member of this class and to represent Alabama on a national stage,” said Tubbs, the Alabama Farmers Federation State Pork Committee chair. “I am ready to gain more industry experience.”
The National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board are leading the group.
The extensive, one-year program kicks off mid-January in Des Moines, Iowa. Washington, D.C., Chicago and an international trip are on the schedule, too. The class’s five sessions will teach the importance of global trade and help the group better understand challenges producers face.
Session takeaways will help Tubbs back on his farm, which includes 20 sows. Additionally, Tubbs works off-farm, traveling the country performing animal welfare audits.
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Sanford Earns Entry to Cotton Hall of Fame | |
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Alabama notched its third member of the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame in December.
Jimmy Sanford of Prattville was inducted into the prestigious group during Cotton Inc.’s annual meeting. Previous Alabama honorees are Sykes Martin of Courtland and Hugh Summerville of Aliceville.
Sanford’s entry is thanks to the Autauga County farmer’s unwavering commitment to cotton. That includes his integral role in formulating farm policy, said Alabama Farmers Federation Cotton Division Director Carla Hornady. Hornady works closely with the Alabama Cotton Commission, which Sanford has chaired for three decades.
Sanford has been part of every farm bill discussion since 1981 and is a champion for securing agricultural research funding, Hornady said.
Past honors for his public policy work include induction into the Alabama Agriculture Hall of Fame and netting the Cotton Achievement Award. In an early 2023 article touting the latter recognition, Sanford said industry involvement resulted from his upbringing.
“I view myself as a leader servant,” he told Cotton Grower magazine. “I say it that way because leader is an adjective. My calling is as a servant. I want to be involved in a leadership position if a group calls me to do it. I love policymaking in the policy arena.”
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A common question asked each year by cattle producers is, “What should I do with my heifers? Should I raise them as replacements or sell them as weaned heifers?” The answer involves penciling out the expenses and deciding which option best suits an operation in the current market. Costs of developing heifers include the current value of weaned heifers (opportunity cost), variable expenses, breeding costs, fixed expenses and absorption costs. Learn more here.
Submitted by Chris Prevatt
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HudsonAlpha Wiregrass received a $383,000 state grant to improve Alabama's largest industry through the Timber Genetic Research program. Alabama's forestry sector has total economic output of $27.7 billion and provides 123,000 jobs. Learn more here.
Submitted by William Green
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This year's pork production is expected to continue decreasing, reaching lows not seen since 2015. The past several months have shown producer losses and herd reductions. Conversely, an increase in pigs per litter should keep commercial hog slaughter above last year's levels. Learn more here.
Submitted by Colton Christjohn
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Row crop farmers are invited to a field day Feb. 22 at E.V. Smith Experiment Station in Shorter. Hosted by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Auburn University in conjunction with The Fertilizer Institute, the field day will feature 4R technologies and practices to maximize yields while positively impacting agronomics, nutrient management, soil fertility and water quality. Email Carla Hornady at chornady@alfarmers.org to learn more.
Submitted by Carla Hornady
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Federation Announces Recent Endorsements | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation’s political action committees, Alabama FarmPAC and ELECT, have endorsed Caroleene Hardee Dobson for U.S. House of Representatives, District 2. Federation President Jimmy Parnell said Dobson’s agricultural background, conservative values and commitment to restore common sense to government appeal to members of the state’s largest farm organization. Click here to read more.
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Alabama FarmPAC also endorsed candidates for Alabama State Board of Education. County leaders of the state’s largest farm organization pledged support for incumbents Jackie Zeigler, R-Mobile, in District 1, and Tonya Smith Chestnut, D-Selma, in District 5. Kelly Mooney, R-Indian Springs, earned the endorsement in District 3, while Allen Long, R-Florence, was endorsed for District 7. Click here to learn more.
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Federation Recognizes Kubota, Corteva for New Young Farmers Sponsorships | |
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The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed Kubota as a new sponsor and extended its partnership with Corteva Agriscience for the Young Farmers of Alabama Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) contest in 2023.
“We are thankful for Kubota and Corteva,” said Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer. “Their sponsorships are providing incredible prize packages to the first and second runners-up in the OYFF contest.”
Kubota Tractor Corporation sponsored OYFF first runner-up Whit and Amanda Lovelady of Talladega County by providing 250 hours of free use on a Kubota M7-171 tractor.
Corteva Agriscience, a longtime sponsor of the Young Farmers Excellence in Agriculture competition, presented OYFF second runner-up Mitchell and Rebecca Henry of Lawrence County with a custom chemical package.
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From left are Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer; Federation President Jimmy Parnell; Amanda, Annagrace, John Luke and Whit Lovelady; and Kubota’s Stuart Morris and Kubota’s Michael Stanley. | |
From left are Federation President Jimmy Parnell; Corteva’s Jacee May; Rebecca, Clint and Mitchell Henry; and Federation Young Farmers Division Director Hunter McBrayer. | |
Alabama Catfish Producers Gather in Marion Junction | |
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The 2024 Alabama Catfish Conference was Jan. 11 at the Blackbelt Research & Extension Center in Marion Junction.
The event was hosted by the Alabama Farmers Federation Catfish Division; Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences; and Alabama Fish Farming Center.
Producers heard from research and industry professionals from Auburn University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service and more.
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Elections for the Federation State Catfish Committee were also held. Committee members are pictured with Federation Catfish Division Director William Green. | |
Forage Experts Visit Alabama Operations | |
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Forage experts from across the nation visited Alabama farms in Baldwin and Monroe counties Jan. 10 during the American Forage and Grassland Council Annual Conference.
“It’s awesome to host so many from all over,” said Greg Kaiser of Kaiser Farms in Seminole. “Everything changes drastically the farther you travel from here. It’s good to show the attendees some things they’ve probably never seen and give them new ideas.”
Greg and his brother Mark, Alabama Farmers Federation District 11 director, manage the hay and cattle farm in south Alabama.
The group of over 100 scientists then traveled to the Gulf Coast Research Extension Center in Fairhope where Alabama Extension researchers presented recent ryegrass study results. Attendees also learned about the pressures facing farmers in high growth areas like Baldwin County. That includes high land prices and water runoff concerns.
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Take the Agricultural Producer Survey Today | |
The Alabama Farmers Federation is conducting a survey to help the organization meet the needs of its members. The survey is anonymous, and the results will help direct Federations programs. The deadline to complete the survey is Jan. 31. | |
Deer Management Assistance Program Offers Seminars | |
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Alabama’s Cooperative Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) is a comprehensive, no-cost program that helps landowners better manage land for a healthy deer herd and wildlife habitat.
Seminars across the state will educate landowners this month.
What to expect from the seminars:
• What is DMAP?
• Who can enroll in DMAP?
• What is required from DMAP Cooperators?
• What does Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
provide to DMAP Cooperators?
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Alabama 4-H Adds Nine New Positions | |
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Alabama 4-H is accepting applications for nine new Youth Development Coordinator positions through Jan. 30. Locations include Bullock, Chilton, Coffee/Geneva, Crenshaw, Jackson, Lamar, Limestone, Montgomery and Wilcox counties. These are Auburn University, non-tenure faculty positions and are part of the Alabama Teachers Retirement System.
To apply, visit www.auemployment.com and use the keyword search 4-H. Contact Nancy Alexander via phone (334) 844-2219 or email at alexana@aces.edu.
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Federation Leader, Staff Member Selected for Alabama Leadership Initiative | |
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Two Alabama Farmers Federation affiliates have been chosen for Alabama Leadership Initiative (ALI) Class VI. Cleburne County Farmers Federation President Eric Lovvorn and Federation Publications Director Marlee Jackson are part of the 53-member class, which kicked off late last year.
Through April, Lovvorn and Jackson will forge relationships with decision-makers; learn about Alabama’s history; and explore the state’s diverse economic drivers through classes in Montgomery, Dothan and Birmingham.
ALI is a partner entity of Leadership Alabama, a nonprofit that promotes community, leadership and problem-solving.
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Chilton County Young Farmer Named National #TeachAg Ambassador | | |
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Chilton County's Hannah Grace Childress was selected as a National #TeachAg Ambassador.
Childress, a senior studying agricultural education, leadership and communications at Mississippi State University, joins 12 students in agricultural education from across the nation for the outreach role.
An initiative of the National Association of Agricultural Educators, the National #TeachAg Ambassador Program participants share their individual narratives with prospective students considering agricultural teaching careers.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy are hosting a series of listening sessions starting Jan.12. The agencies invite perspectives on the benefits and challenges of the rapidly increasing levels of clean energy sited on agricultural lands and in rural communities. Click here to learn more.
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The Alabama Department of Education is helping bridge the gap between local farmers and Child Nutrition Program directors through a a series of meet and greets Jan. 16 and 30 and Feb. 1. Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Farm to School Program influenced the creation of more educational opportunities. Click here to learn more.
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Alabama Farmers Federation leadership today applauds five members of the state’s congressional delegation who signed a letter raising concerns over the Adverse Effect Wage Rate. U.S. Reps. Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, Mike Rogers, Dale Strong and Gary Palmer joined 68 colleagues represented in the letter, which notes skyrocketing H-2A wage rates and the resulting negative impacts on farmers. Click here to read the letter.
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Simply Southern TV Starts Season 10 | |
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. 13/14/17 — Wellborn Cabinet in Clay County, the Carnival Museum in Mobile, a Rural Roundup of agricultural news and a Southern Bite recipe for Easy Pecan Shortbread, sponsored by Priester’s Pecans.
Jan. 20/21/24 — Crop damage caused by deer, the Walk for Life in Montgomery, What’s in Season with Sweet Grown Alabama, Discover Extension segment about Operation Grow and a Southern Bite recipe for 30-Minute Cheese Tortellini Soup.
To find out where and when the show airs near you, visit simplysoutherntv.net and click “Where To Watch.”
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This Week on Alabama AgCast | |
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Feb. 1 - Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show in Dothan
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Feb. 6 - Alabama Legislative Session begins
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