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Supply Chain Issues Affect Alabama Farmers
Supply Chain, Weather Issues Hamper Harvest
By Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News
Weather delays — a cool spring and wet fall — and supply chain issues, especially on equipment parts, slowed harvest across the state last year.
In a normal year, Talladega County farmer Bob Luker would have finished harvesting his cotton by the last day of November. In 2021, he was just getting started on his 800 acres.
The national supply chain and inflation issues are hitting home in Alabama. Instead of being able to order parts for quick delivery, farmers are having to wait weeks or spend valuable time traveling to get a needed piece.
“The thing about it isn’t the drive or the expense, it’s the time lost,” Luker said during a phone interview from the cab of his cotton picker. “We only have so many pretty days. You can’t pick cotton in the rain, you can’t pick cotton when it’s wet, you can’t pick it in the mud. And you only have so many days to get this crop out, and each day you sit waiting on parts or hunting parts is a day of harvest you lose.”
Farmers, including Lauderdale County producer Colt Clemmons, are dealing with supply chain issues and skyrocketing input prices.
That same sunny day, Colt Clemmons was harvesting his neighbor’s soybeans in Lauderdale County. Clemmons finished with his own beans a few weeks before, but parts issues delayed his neighbor.
“The everyday stuff you carry with you to the field, the stuff that could break on a daily basis — blades on the combine header, bolts — you’re having a hard time getting your hands on that now when you need it,” Clemmons said.
Carla Hornady, an Alabama Farmers Federation commodity director, said across the state, there was still a lot of cotton in fields into December.
She said she’s heard of farmers driving to Indiana to get needed parts.
“They just can’t depend on shipping to get their parts here,” she said.
And during harvest, time is not a farmer’s friend.
“Once the crop is ready, the longer it sits in the field, the more quality loss they will have when they actually harvest that crop,” Hornady said.
That means it’s worth less when it can be sold. Cotton prices are good, meaning farmers missed out if they had to sell a weathered crop.
Limited truck and driver availability also affected cotton, said Joey Scarborough, manager of Milstead Farm Group cotton gin in Shorter.
“When there’s a harvest going on, it requires a vast, vast capacity (of trucks) in a very timely manner,” Scarborough said. “…that’s probably where we’re seeing the largest lack of capacity right now.”
In early December, Scarborough said the gin was behind schedule. The later it gets, the dicier the weather.
“Every time it rains now, it’s harder for it to dry up,” he said.
Trucks aren’t the only transportation issue for growers, Scarborough said. The cotton seeds that are separated from the lint also have value and a market.
“It’s taken to Atlanta, loaded on rail and taken to the West Coast and fed to
cattle,” Scarborough said. “But freight containers aren’t available right now, and it’s made it incredibly expensive. That comes out of the value of the cotton seed for the producer.”
Rising Costs, Planning Ahead
Dr. Wendiam Sawadgo, an Auburn University assistant professor of agricultural economics, said producers spent more on harvesting and likely will on planting in the spring, too. Fuel costs were up 32% in late 2021 compared to October 2020, and machinery costs were up about 14%.
And costs are expected to stay high, including for fertilizer and chemicals. The U.S. imports most of its fertilizer, and there’s a global shortage. Meanwhile, crop prices are higher, meaning farmers want to plant more.
“So, combining the low supply with the high demand has shot fertilizer prices up quite a bit,” Sawadgo said. Sawadgo said farmers will have to be even more diligent about planning in 2022 so as not to use more fertilizer, fuel or other inputs than necessary. Clemmons, who farms about 3,000 acres per year, has always fertilized his empty fields in the spring, prior to planting. In response to rising costs, he fertilized this past fall. “If we can save $100 or $200 a ton by spreading it early, that’s $100 or $200 that we can save for the spring,” he said. Saving $100 a ton equates to thousands of dollars. There are still unknowns, including spring seed and fuel prices. “I’ve never had to look so far ahead to stay ahead,” he said. Luker said that as he was picking cotton, he was thinking about 2022 prices and availability. “There is uncertainty,” he said. “It’s always been, ‘How much will it cost?’ Now it’s, ‘Can we even get it?’”
From his tractor, Luker made clear he is not “all doom and gloom.” He was grateful to be farming on a beautiful day. In 2020, he was hospitalized for four days with COVID-19.
“Times like we’ve had, they make you appreciate things, whether it’s being able to buy a ton of fertilizer or going to a football game,” Luker said. “There’s always been challenges in farming, these are just some new ones.”
Longtime Neighbors Editor Debra Davis and her husband, Lamar, live on a farm in Pike County’s Shellhorn community.
Longtime Neighbors Editor Debra Davis retired Dec. 31 following 23 1/2 years of loyal service to Alabama Farmers Federation members. Davis, who served as publications director, was recently named deputy commissioner for the Alabama Department of Senior Services.
Federation Communications Department Director Jeff Helms thanked Davis for her passion, talent and work ethic in telling farmers’ stories.
“As the longest-serving editor in the history of Neighbors, Debra has improved the quality of the magazine while increasing income and reducing expense,” Helms said. “A farmer herself, Debra connected with Federation members and provided the communications staff greater insight into farmers’ challenges and opportunities. Known for her generosity, humor and candor, Debra made lifelong relationships throughout the Federation.”
Davis joined the Federation in 1998 as county communications director and editor of the Cultivator newsletter. She brought keen news judgment and prolific writing skills honed as a newspaper reporter and editor. Davis was named editor of the former Friends & Family magazine in 2005 and was promoted to publications director in 2011.
“I appreciate the kindness and generosity of farm families throughout the state who trusted me to tell their stories,” Davis said. “Many of those farm visits transcended to personal friendships that will extend beyond my career at Alfa.”
Since taking the reins as publications director, Davis merged the Federation’s two magazines into the single flagship title; eliminated the mailing of duplicate magazines to the same household; developed advertising plans for commodity checkoff programs; implemented cost-saving inserts for newsletters and other targeted communications; secured sponsorships for magazine sections; streamlined billing; and improved printing and paper negotiations.
During her tenure, Davis covered every major Federation event and was often the first to respond to breaking news.
“Debra was always on call,” Helms said. “She was among the first on the scene following natural disasters such as Hurricanes Georges, Ivan, Katrina and Sally or deadly tornadoes like the historic outbreak of April 27, 2011. Debra not only captured photos and stories of those impacted by the storms, but she also brought comfort in the form of water, generators, fuel and a listening ear.” In 2021, Davis developed an editorial plan and content to spotlight all areas of the Federation during the organization’s centennial year. Those features were compiled into a commemorative edition of Neighbors — a keepsake and historical archive for future generations. In addition to more than a decade of magazines, Helms said Davis leaves a legacy of programs, projects and activities she initiated or helped develop. These accomplishments include creating the Alabama Ag Communicators group, which includes at least a half-dozen former interns who went on to successful careers after serving under Davis.
As part of her work to promote Alabama commodity divisions, Davis spearheaded the Catfish Restaurant Contest, Catfish Culinary Campaign, Farm-To-Fabric Tour for teachers and Alabama Ag Expedition for college students. She secured sponsorships for the Farm of Distinction contest and provided leadership for Alabama spotlight state activities during two Sunbelt Ag Expos. “Debra’s conviction and drive have made the organization better and our communications stronger,” Helms added. Davis and husband Lamar live on a beef cattle and timber farm in Pike County’s Shellhorn community. They have two children — daughter Kellie Henderson and her husband, Richard, and son Jim and his wife, Kaylee. They also are proud grandparents of Carly and Jae.
Auburn University graduate and Thomasville native Marlee Moore has been promoted to publications director and editor of Neighbors magazine for the Alabama Farmers Federation.
Federation Communications Department Director Jeff Helms praised Moore’s communications skills and dedication to serving the state’s farmers.
“Marlee is a talented communicator who has deep appreciation for agriculture and Federation members. She has a passion for sharing their stories and advocating for our industry,” Helms said. “Since joining the Federation staff almost six years ago, Marlee has distinguished herself as a leader among agricultural communicators in Alabama and across the nation.”
An award-winning writer, Moore served as associate editor of Neighbors since November 2018. In that role, she implemented the Farmhouse Kitchen and Sean of the South columns; was heavily involved in editorial planning; and was a major contributor to magazine content through writing, editing and photography. Moore said she looks forward to building on the magazine’s 46-year history of sharing farmers’ stories. “It’s an honor every time someone welcomes me to their farm and trusts me to tell their story to our readers,” Moore said. “The relationships I’ve built at the Farmers Federation are special; these people are friends who feel like family. Working with and for Alabama farmers is a blessing, and I hope to make them proud.”
Moore fills the opening created by the retirement of longtime Publications Director and Neighbors Editor Debra Davis.
In addition to being associate Neighbors editor, Moore most recently served as the Federation’s multimedia content director, with responsibility for social media and leader communications.
She conducted numerous training sessions in Alabama and at national conferences on the effective use of
social media. Moore has also served on communications committees with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Ag Media Summit and Alabama Natural Resources Council. Under Moore’s leadership, Federation social media engagement increased exponentially. She also has contributed to public relations efforts including the Sweet Grown Moore Alabama state branding program; the Federation’s Bama’s Best food competitions; and the upcoming Down to Earth: Agriculture Sustains Alabama educational campaign. Moore came to the Federation in 2016 as an agricultural communications specialist after earning a degree from Auburn University (AU) in agricultural communications. She interned with the Federation in summer 2015. Moore is a former Federation scholarship recipient and served as an Ag Ambassador and assistant student recruitment coordinator for the AU College of Agriculture. The daughter of a forester and librarian, Moore currently lives in Millbrook and attends Centerpoint Fellowship Church.
