Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod

Robert Byrd, a longtime greenhouse, nursery and sod producer and father of State Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Committee member Lance Byrd, was awarded the Individual Leadership Award for Service during the Federation’s annual meeting. Byrd, founder of Green Valley Farms in Montevallo, previously received the Alabama Nursery & Landscape Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Green Valley Farms has over 200 acres of sod and nursery production.

-Hunter McBrayer, division director

Poultry

China’s ban on U.S. poultry and egg products that was put into place in January 2015 was removed last month. With 1.4 billion people in China, this market brings many opportunities for American poultry farmers and will help the industry continue to grow. Alabama ranks second nationally in broiler production and collectively raises a safe and healthy protein that will thrive in this new market.

-Russ Durrance, division director

Peanuts

The 15th annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show will be Thursday, Feb. 6 at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan. Registration and trade show opens at 8:30 a.m. Peanut growers can visit with peanut industry professionals from over 80 businesses and organizations. Marshall Lamb from the National Peanut Lab will speak during the complimentary lunch.

-Jacob Davis, executive director

WILDLIFE

In 2020, a three-year pilot project for feral swine control will start in select watersheds around Alabama. U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services received $3.7 million to combat feral swine damage in Baldwin, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Sumter counties. This translates to 14 full-time technicians who will work with landowners to remove feral pigs. For landowners outside of these pilot areas, assistance is still available through Wildlife Services’ normal operating budget. For more information, contact Wildlife Services at (334) 844-5670.

-William Green, division director

Cotton

U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a new standard developed to help the U.S. cotton production sector further reduce its footprint by enabling producers to assess performance against specific sustainability goals. To learn more or enroll, visit trustuscotton.org.

-Carla Hornady, division director

Beef

In a major win for U.S. beef, the upper legislative chamber of the Japanese government has approved its trade agreement with the U.S. This bilateral agreement will gradually lower tariffs on U.S. beef from 38.5% to 9%, putting us on a level playing field with competitors such as Australia, Canada and Mexico. Japan currently serves as the largest value destination for U.S. beef, accounting for approximately $2 billion in sales per year.

-Brady Ragland, division director