Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod 

State Greenhouse, Nursery & Sod Committee members gathered in Spanish Fort for a meeting and tours Oct. 29-30. Members visited Martin’s Nursery in Semmes, Oak Hill Tree Farm in Grand Bay and Shore Acres Plant Farm in Theodore. They viewed heritage tree production and over 350 acres of nursery and greenhouses.

-Hunter McBrayer, division director

Beef; Equine; Hay & Forage; Meat Goat & Sheep

Alabama Extension is hosting a Hurricane Michael Recovery Livestock Meeting Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in Dothan. Topics include grazing and hay quality assessment; animal nutrition and winter feeding; debris removal and fencing; and financial assistance. To learn more, contact Rickey Hudson at (334) 693-2010.

-Brian Hardin, Governmental & Ag Programs Department director

Cotton; Soybean; Wheat & Feed Grain

Mark your calendars for the free Alabama Row Crops Short Course Dec. 13-14, which provides farmers, consultants and Extension agents information on management practices and technologies to increase production​. ​Register by Dec. 7 at aces.edu/go/946.

-Carla Hornady, division director

Pork

On Oct. 30, the EPA proposed new rules implementing the FARM Act Congress passed earlier this year. The rule eliminates the need for livestock farmers to estimate and report emissions from livestock operation manure to state and local first responders under EPCRA rules meant for hazardous emissions releases from industrial sites.

-Guy Hall, division director

Wildlife

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was found in a second deer in Mississippi. The 18-month-old, free-ranging male white-tailed deer was emaciated and behaving abnormally. It was euthanized Oct. 8. This is the closest case to Alabama, which banned importing members of the deer family in 1973. Alabama’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has tested nearly 8,000 deer since 2002. CWD has not been detected in the state.

-William Green, division director

Peanuts

National Peanut Festival attendees received information about growing peanuts and peanut nutrition Nov. 2-11 in Dothan. They also tasted peanut products in the Alabama Peanut Producers Association Peanut Pavilion.

-Caleb Bristow, division director