Federation plans 87th annual meeting in Mobile
Public Service Commissioner Jan Cook will receive the Alabama Farmers Federation's highest award at its 87th annual meeting Dec. 6-8 in Mobile. The event, to be held in the Mobile Civic Center, is expected to draw about 1,500 members from across the state. Cook is in her 16th year at the Public Service Commission as Commissioner, Place 1. The Crenshaw County native will receive the Federation's Service to Agriculture Award for support of farmers throughout her career, but most recently for work she's initiated in controlling electrical rate increases for farmers. Federation President Jerry A. Newby will give his annual address to the membership during the three-day event, which will draw 500 voting delegates from throughout Alabama to elect Federation officers and state board members. Also on the agenda will be the Young Farmers' Excellence in Agriculture Contest and the Young Farmers' Discussion Meet. During Sunday morning sessions, the Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) for 2008 will be named. Other activities during the meeting will include an water policy and management update, women's luncheon, county awards program, presentation of the Federation's Communications Award, the crowning of Miss Alabama Agriculture and a talent contest.
Trapping workshop helps landowners handle predators and pests
 | | Richard Tharp, (in the orange vest) a wildlife biologist with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, demonstrates tools for trapping aquatic mammals during the afternoon workshop session in Barbour County. |
Nearly 60 landowners and natural resource professionals attended a trapping workshop and demonstration in Barbour County Oct. 31.The Alabama Farmers Federation was among the coordinators for the program which included classroom presentations at the Wehle Nature Center in Midway. Those sessions covered the science of resolving wildlife damage issues, controlling predators to increase gamebird populations and an overview of laws regarding animal removal. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System's Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resources team hosted the event which included support from the Federation, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the USDA-Wildlife Services. Dr. Mark D. Smith, assistant professor and extension specialist with the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife, cautioned landowners who might attempt to eradicate pests and predators. "That's not really practical or probable unless you have more than 5,000 acres and work at it day and night," he said. "Also, if you eradicate one pest, you'll find that another one pops up. For example, coyotes get blamed for a lot of damage to gamebird eggs, but if the coyotes are gone, then the rodent population, which also eats eggs, can get out of control quickly. What you hope for is a balance." The seminar included technical sessions on trapping hogs, fox, beavers, coyotes and other animals and managing wildlife in urban settings.
"We had lots of positive comments about the seminar," said Federation Wildlife Division Director Steve Guy. "Trapping is a lost art in some areas of the country but it can provide a practical solution to controlling predatory and nuisance animals." For more information on trapping and controlling predators, contact Smith at (334) 844-8099 or email him at mds0007@auburn.edu.
Immigration law
 | | The Alabama Farmers Federation Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division and the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association sponsored a recent meeting in Birmingham on immigration law and immigration programs that was attended by 63 producers and businessmen. From left are State Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Committee Member Bob Moore, State Committee Chairman Bill Cook, agricultural labor attorney Monte Lake , State Committee First Vice Chairman Steve Thomas, State Committee Advisor James Harwell and Federation Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Division Director Mac Higginbotham. |
NRCS announces continuous WHIP sign-up
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will have a continuous sign-up for the fiscal year 2009 Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP).
Land eligible for WHIP includes private agricultural land, non-industrial private forest land, and tribal land. "Even though program rules are still being developed in Washington, we are urging local farmers and ranchers to apply as early as possible. By accepting WHIP applications now, we can develop conservation plans and be well positioned to provide contracts to producers when the rules are disseminated," said State Conservationist Gary Kobylski. The WHIP program, administered by NRCS, provides both technical and financial assistance to individuals interested in establishing and improving wildlife habitat on private land.
NRCS will work with participants to develop a wildlife habitat development plan which becomes the basis of the financial assistance agreement. Conservation-minded landowners are encouraged to participate. For more information, contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service office, listed in the telephone book under U.S. Department of Agriculture or on the Web at www.al.nrcs.usda.gov.
Scrapie programs set for Nov. 17-18
The Alabama Meat Goat & Sheep Producers, a division of the Alabama Farmers Federation, with the support of the American Sheep Industry Association, will host two meetings to update producers across the state with the latest information regarding compliance with the National Scrapie Eradication Program and movement of sheep and goats off the farm. The first program will be in Brewton at the Escambia County Extension Office Nov.17 at 6 p.m.
The second program will be at the Sand Mountain Experiment Station in Crossville Nov. 18 at 6 p.m.
Anyone interested in learning more about requirements to move animals, what tags must be used and how to keep flocks and herds scrapie-free are encouraged to attend. Producers also will be updated on available markets for goats and sheep in Alabama and future opportunities for Alabama producers. A meal prepared from lamb and goat products produced in Alabama will be provided for attendees at no cost. Speakers for the meetings include Dr. Cindy Brasfield with the USDA and representatives from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. Mitt Walker, director of the Meat Goat & Sheep Division of the Alabama Farmers Federation, will also provide a report on the status of the industry and the Alabama Sheep and Goat Checkoff Program. All sheep and goat producers are encouraged to attend this meeting. For more details, contact Walker at (334) 613-4757 or email him at mwalker@alfafarmers.org.
EPA publishes new CAFO regulations
The federal rule on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations was published Oct. 31 and sets new environmental standards for America's livestock farms and represents a significant policy shift. The rule is the result of a 10-year process at the EPA. "The rule contains substantial improvements in water quality protection, and may improve water quality as a result,,"said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "We are encouraged the rule includes a number of incentives for livestock farms to operate at high levels of environmental compliance. A positive aspect is that livestock farmers will have flexibility to evaluate their farm and determine whether or not to secure a permit. Regardless of the farmer's decision, there is no doubt they will have to meet challenging environmental standards."
Farm tour
 | | More than 4,000 students from the Dale County area were guests at Carroll's Pumpkin Patch this harvest season. A favorite stop of the farm tour is with Spud the Scarecrow who helps students dig potatoes, pick peaches, gather eggs, milk a cow and pick cotton as they learn about how their clothes and food are produced by farmers. The farm is part of 4C Land & Cattle Co., owned by Chris and Monica Carroll of Ariton who are the 2007 Outstanding Young Farm Family of Alabama. |
Commodities will organize Feb. 3-5
Farmers representing producers in 17 commodities grown in Alabama will gather at Birmingham's Cahaba Grand Conference Center on Feb. 3-5 for the Alabama Farmers Federation's annual Commodity Organizational Conference. According to Federation Commodity Director Jimmy Carlisle, the three-day event has a three-fold purpose: To elect state commodity committee members, set goals and priorities among commodity leaders for 2009 and share concerns and ideas on current issues. "It's really important that we have broad-based representation of commodity leaders so that we can effectively represent Alabama farmers," said Carlisle. "Our three-day format has allowed us to expand our educational programs for each commodity, providing more value to the meeting and giving our members more of a worthwhile event to attend." For that reason, Carlisle urges county commodity chairmen and vice chairmen from all 17 commodities to attend the event. The meeting date for each commodity is listed below. In an effort to allow more time for commodity sessions, please note that registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the meetings beginning at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 3 - Bee & Honey, Beef, Catfish, Pork, Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod and Wildlife
Feb. 4 - Cotton, Hay & Forage, Forestry, Meat Goat & Sheep and Poultry
Feb. 5 - Dairy, Equine, Horticulture, Soybean and Wheat & Feed Grains
The Alabama Peanut Producers Association will meet in conjunction with the Alabama/Florida Peanut Trade Show on Feb. 12, 10 a.m., at Dothan National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds. Registration information will be mailed to county presidents and county offices. For information contact Ginger Mullins at (334) 613-4293.
OBITUARY
Vester Benefield Jr., a former Alabama Farmers Federation state board member and prominent leader of the Cullman County Farmers Federation, died Nov. 2. He was 84. Benefield served as a Federation state board member from 1987-1996 and served as county president of the Cullman County Farmers Federation from 1988-1991. Benefield was a cotton farmer and co-owner of Golden-Benefield Gin for 30 years. He operated a local country store and gristmill in the Gold Ridge community. In addition to his service to the Federation, he served as deacon for Center Grove Baptist Church where he was a member since 1936.
Benefield graduated from Fairview High School in 1942 and attended Snead Junior College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1946 -1947. He was a homebuilder and was active in local banking and served on numerous charitable boards in the Cullman area. For many many years, he performed mission work with Campers-On-Mission and the East Cullman Baptist Association, building churches and homes in needy areas of the U.S.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Eva Whitman Benefield and Myrtle Sims Golden Benefield; a son, David Franklin Benefield and a sister, Maxine Benefield Golden. Survivors include his wife, Wynell Hartford Benefield; a daughter, Jane (Keith) Daniel; three stepchildren, Deborah Daugherty-Finnie and family, Ernie (Nancy) Golden and family, and Marlin (Terry) Jeffers and family; two sisters, Mildred Benefield and Sally (Hobert) McClendon; a grandson and a host of nieces and nephews. The family requests donations be made to the Alabama Baptist Children's Home - Decatur branch, 1404 16th Ave. SE, Decatur, AL 35601 or the Hospice of Cullman County, 402 Fourth Ave. NE, Cullman, AL 35055.
Peanut Festival booth
 | | Members of the Houston County Women's Committee, Young Farmers Committee and other Federation members had a booth at the National Peanut Festival in Dothan recently where more than 2,000 children were able to learn about farm life. The booth contained peanuts, potatoes, cotton, chickens and eggs, apples and a milk cow. Each child who went through the booth got a coloring book and a bag of peanuts. From left are State Women's Committee Member Gloria Jeffcoat of Houston County, Hudson Floyd, Kaydon Lester, Kaylin Blackwell and Mary Lamb of Hidden Lake Elementary School in Dothan. |
Soybean exports set new record
The U.S. soybean industry exported over 1.5 billion bushels of soybeans and other soy products in 2008, setting an all-time record, according to the United Soybean Board. Included in the record number is more than 1.1 billion bushels of whole soybeans and 346 million bushels of soybean meal. Not included in the record is nearly 1.1 million metric tons of soy oil, which represents a 68 percent increase over last year's soy oil export total. Soybean meal exports also are up 11 percent from a year ago. In total, soybean exports are worth more than $12 billion. China, which imported 490 million bushels of whole soybeans, was by far the most popular destination for American beans. Next were Mexico (131 million bushels) and Japan (99 million bushels). Leading soybean producing counties in Alabama are Jackson, Madison, Limestone and DeKalb.
YF&R Fall Meeting
 | | Members of the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee gathered for their fall meeting in Montgomery last week where they planned their agenda for the AFBF annual meeting and the 2009 YF&R Leadership Conference in Sacramento, Calf., in February. From left are Kelly Kyser of Alabama, Jill Mahan of Kentucky, National Young Farmers & Ranchers Chairman Townsend Kyser of Alabama, John Mahan of Kentucky, Dawson Pugh of North Carolina and Alabama State Young Farmers Director Brandon Moore. |
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