According to the Prospective Plantings report released this week by USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service, farmers intend to plant more soybeans and less corn this year and Alabama farmers are expecting to follow that trend. Report (1:00 mp3) USDA NASS
AL New Programs Promoting Beef
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s Ed Whatley said they are underway with the various beef checkoff promotions across the state in which some involve new advertising being distributed across the nation.  Report (1:00 mp3)
AL Livestock Market Report
Dyan Kennedy with the Alabama Department of Agriculture has the figure’s from cattle markets across Alabama this past week. Report (1:00 mp3)
Great Time for Peanuts
The National Peanut Board wants growers to know this is a great time for peanuts.   Report (1:00 mp3)   To learn more click Here
AL Holding Beef Excellence Program
Cattle producers across Alabama are invited to participate in the Beef Excellence Program coming up in May at Auburn University. Report (1:00 mp3)Â To learn more or to register, click Here
Send in Census Forms
USDA National Ag Statistics Service officials in the southeast are working on getting the rest of the outstanding 2007 Census of Agriculture forms in. More information can be found at www.agcensus.usda.gov. AL Report (1:00 mp3) GA Report (1:00 mp3) USDA NASS
AL Cattleman Serving in National Position
Eric Smith, a cattle producer and a past President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association from Reform in Pickens County, Alabama, is proud to be serving as the new Vice Chairman of the Policy Division for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. Report (1:00 mp3)
CSP Signup Announced
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has announced a sign-up for the Conservation Security Program will be available starting on April 18 for approximately 64,000 potentially eligible farms and ranches in 51 watersheds covering more than 23.7 million acres. Read more from USDA-NRCS. FL Report (1:00 mp3) AL Report (1:00 mp3)
Eggciting New Events at Festival
Next month’s Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival features two new “eggciting” new contests this year. The “Guitar Hero†contest and egg and spoon race join the egg toss, chicken wing and hard-boiled egg eating contests, Colonial Sanders look-a-like, “Catch-a-Falling-Egg†competition, chicken clucking contest and karaoke for big chickens. The Alabama Chicken and Egg Festival is set for April 12 & …
Alabama Cattlewoman is New ANCW Officer
The Southeast Region II of the American National Cattlewomen’s Association, which includes Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, has a member who is a new national officer. Lana Slaten of Cullman, Alabama, said she is proud to serve as the new Vice President of an ANCW.  Report (1:00 mp3)