Bee & Honey

Over 500 bee and honey producers gathered in Clanton for Alabama Extension’s Bee Symposium Feb. 1. Sessions ranged from beginner beekeeping to advanced tactics. Alabama State Bee & Honey Producers Committee member Phillip Garrison of Cullman County was elected president of the Alabama Beekeepers Association. 

-Hunter McBrayer, division director

Pork

Earlier this month, over 50 youth exhibitors met in Dothan for the State Market Hog Show. The exhibitors competed in a judging contest, as well as in the show arena. The Alabama Pork Producers provided giveaways for participants and addressed the crowd, highlighting the industry and effectiveness of the Pork Checkoff.

-Russ Durrance, division director

Cotton, Soybean, Wheat & Feed Grain

Corteva Agriscience is phasing out production of chlorpyrifos in 2020.  Demand has declined significantly over the last two decades, particularly in the U.S. Corteva will meet current demand for chlorpyrifos through the end of the year while customers plan to transition to other products or other providers.

-Carla Hornady, divisions director

ATFA, Forestry

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is cleaning up the certified TREASURE Forest landowner database. Certified landowners should have received a letter in January requesting contact information verification. If you have certified, recertified or purchased a certified property since 2010 and have not updated information, contact AFC’s Darci DeBrunner at (334) 399-4702 or darci.debrunner@forestry.alabama.gov.

-William Green, divisions director

Peanuts

Over 500 peanut farmers and industry representatives attended the Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Feb. 6 in Dothan. Attendees visited with more than 60 exhibitors to learn about new products and services available to help fine-tune their farming operations.

-Jacob Davis, executive director

Hay & Forage

To better serve hay farmers across the Southeast, Extension specialists are conducting a survey of local hay producers. Results from survey questions about hay harvest methods, time required for harvesting, etc. will help guide future educational programming. To participate, contact the state forage Extension specialist at (334) 844-7514.

-Brady Ragland, division director