June 2021 by afccooperativefarmingnews

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Cooperative Farming News

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Turbo Braid

IN THIS ISSUE:

Editor-in-Chief: Samantha Hendricks Editor: Jessie Shook Contributing Editor: Jade Randolph Associate Editor: Mary Delph

pg. 18

CO-OP MATTERS 5 Press Release Helping Communities After the March 25 Tornadoes 18 AFC Feed, LLC Feed Donation to Tornado Victims

pg. 34

pg. 37

24 4H Extension Corner: PB&J to the Rescue 26 FFA Sentinel: Finding a “New Normal”

AFC Board of Directors

Subscription $15 per year For subscription inquiries or change of address: P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 or call 256-308-1623 Subscribe online at https://www.alafarm.com/magazine

To advertise:

On the Cover: June is National Dairy Month. See the Co-op Pantry on page 61 for delicious dairy recipes. (Photo Credit: AFC Publication Staff)

Letter from the Editor................ 4

How’s Your Garden?................... 47

Ag Insight.................................... 8

Simple Times.............................. 49

Business of Farming................... 12

Howle’s Hints.............................. 51

Feeding Facts ............................. 14

The Magic of Gardening........... 54

From the State Vet’s Office......... 16

Food Safety................................. 56

What’s the Point.......................... 20

Grazing Grace............................ 59

On the Edge of Common Sense... 22

The Co-op Pantry....................... 61

Outdoor Logic with BioLogic.... 28

What’s Happening in Alabama... 66

www.alafarm.com

AFC Officers

Rickey Cornutt, Matt Haney, Brooks Hayes, Rick Hendricks, Bill Sanders, Jeff Sims, Mike Tate, David Womack

OUR REGULARS

Cooking with Stacy Lyn............. 32

121 Somerville Road NE Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227 256-308-1618

Rivers Myres, President Ben Haynes, Chairman of the Board

LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY 34 Gilmer Dairy 37 Father’s Day Breakfast 40 Spinks Megginson: Standing in the Red Zone YOUTH MATTERS 23 PALS: East Elementary Joins the Clean Campus Program

Advertising, Editorial, Subscription and Publication Offices

Wendy McFarland 334-652-9080 or email McFarlandAdVantage@gmail.com Cooperative Farming News is published monthly by Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. 121 Somerville Road NE, Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and will not be responsible for copy errors or misprints in advertising or editorial material, other than to publish corrections of errors in fact. Feature articles, news items and columns are published for the information of our readers from qualified, reputable sources; however, the editors and publisher make no guarantees and assume no liability for any reader’s decision to implement any procedure, recommendation or advice printed in this publication. Photos are credited to author unless otherwise noted. Advertised sale items may not be stocked by every Quality Co-op store and prices may vary.

www.alafarm.com Postmaster: Please send notice of address change (enclosing latest address label) to publication office: Cooperative Farming News P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227

June 2021

Welcome June! This month hosts a few of my favorite things: longer days and warmer weather. It won’t be long before backyards are full of family and friends gathering around to enjoy good food and each other’s company. Gardens are growing and putting on fruit while cotton and corn are just starting to grow. This time of year feels like a fresh start, and after last year, we’re ready for it! We are excited to celebrate National Dairy Month this June with our friends at Gilmer’s Dairy on the cover. We’re proud to support the farmers who work hard to bring us milk, cheese, ice cream and so much more. We’re also celebrating Father’s Day with some Bacon Bourbon French Toast stacks - doesn’t that sound delicious?! We hope you learn something new in this month’s magazine and even share something you love with a friend. We are excited to start hosting and attending meetings again this summer. It’s been 15 months since we’ve had a chance to get together and while we’re still practicing safe gathering with sanitation and safe distancing, we’re ready to see our co-workers and friends face-to-face. Thank you for being a loyal reader, customer and part of the AFC family.

Samantha Hendricks Editor-in-Chief

Cooperative Farming News

P R E S S

R E L E A S E

Land O’Lakes, Inc., in coordination with AFC Feed, LLC and Triple Crown Nutrition, Inc. are committed to providing 86,000 pounds of animal feed to shelters lodging lost and misplaced animals due to the recent tornadoes that devastated Calhoun, Talladega and Shelby counties. Multiple deadly tornadoes tore across the state of Alabama on Thursday, March 25, leading to at least five deaths and multiple injuries. Damage was significant and storm cleanup is still underway. The damage has caused animals to be separated from their farms, and many shelters are gathering animals and lodging them until they can be identified by their owners. Land O’Lakes, AFC Feed, LLC and Triple Crown are donating 86,000 pounds in support until animals are reunited with their owners. “As a farmer-owned cooperative, Land O’Lakes is focused on supporting our farmers and members, their families and their communities when disaster hits. We know from experience that many horse and animal owners feel like their animals are an integral part of their family. We’re proud to support these animals until they find their way home again and their families are reunited,” said Morgan Kinross-Wright, Vice President, Community Relations at Land O’Lakes, Inc. and Executive Director of the Land O’Lakes Foundation. “We are blessed to be able to provide needed assistance with feeding misplaced livestock, we feel it is our responsibility to help others in need that have been affected by the powerful storms that swept through our area,” said David Riggs, General Manager of AFC Feed, LLC. “Our mission at Triple Crown is to ensure horses have the nutrition they need — and when disaster strikes that need becomes even greater. Partnering with Land O’Lakes and AFC for the care and well-being of horses in Alabama impacted by the recent destruction is simply the right thing to do, and we are honored to be able to help,” said Rob Daugherty, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Triple Crown Nutrition. “We hope by providing optimal nutrition it will help to provide peace of mind until these horses can be reunited with their families.”

For more information on Land O’Lakes’ commitment to the community, visit at www.landolakesinc. com/responsibility. About Land O’Lakes, Inc. Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2020 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O’Lakes is one of the nation’s largest cooperatives, ranking 232 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 100 years of operation, Land O’Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands and businesses in agriculture and food production including Land O’Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra, LLC. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O’Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota. About AFC Feed, LLC AFC Feed, LLC is a joint venture between Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. (AFC) and Purina Animal Nutrition. They provide feed products for AFC member cooperatives for resale. AFC Feed, LLC oversees the purchase and manufacturing of feed products. The Feed Mill and corporate office is located in Decatur, Alabama, where a majority of the bag feed sold to Coop members is manufactured. About Triple Crown Nutrition, Inc. Triple Crown Nutrition, Inc., headquartered in Wayzata, Minnesota, is a super-premium horse nutrition company that always goes beyond by delivering products with superior nutrition. Triple Crown is the official feed sponsor of the National Barrel Horse Association, United States Pony Clubs, Inc. and many of the top professional riders in the United States. Triple Crown Feeds are sold through feed dealers across the U.S. Learn more: www.triplecrownfeed.com | Facebook | Instagram June 2021

Serving gardeners, farmers and everyone in between

Cooperative Farming News

DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE James Lynn, Mgr. Phone 850-674-8194

FARMERS COOPERATIVE MARKET Doug Smith, Gen. Mgr. FRISCO CITY - William Womack, Mgr. Phone 251-267-3175 Fertilizer / Phone 251-267-3173 LEROY - Jeff Hughston, Mgr. Phone 251-246-3512

ANDALUSIA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Russell Lassiter, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-222-1851 FLORALA - Pete Blackwell, Mgr. Phone 334-858-6142 OPP - Brandon Bledsoe, Mgr. Phone 334-493-7715

FARMERS CO-OP OF ASHFORD Timothy Tolar, Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263

ATMORE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Todd Booker, Gen. Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191 BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Mgr. Phone 205-274-2185 CENTRAL ALABAMA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Tim Wood, Gen. Mgr. SELMA - Thomas Reeves, Mgr. Phone 334-874-9083 FAUNSDALE - Bryan Monk, Mgr. Phone 334-628-2681 DEMOPOLIS - Tom Eunice, Mgr. Phone 334-289-0155 CHEROKEE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Andrew Dempsey, Gen. Mgr. CENTRE - Seth Eubanks, Mgr. Phone 256-927-3135 JACKSONVILLE - Tommy Thomas, Mgr. Phone 256-435-3430 PIEDMONT - Kevin Bobbitt, Mgr. Phone 256-447-6560

FARMERS COOPERATIVE, INC. Todd Lawrence, Gen. Mgr. LIVE OAK, FL - Barry Long, Ag Div. Mgr. Phone 386-362-1459 MADISON, FL - Jerry Owens, Operations Mgr. Phone 850-973-2269 GENCO FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ricky Wilks, Gen. Mgr. HARTFORD - Todd Smith, Mgr. Phone 334-588-2992 WEST GENEVA - Robert Pittman, Mgr. Phone 334-898-7932 ENTERPRISE Phone 334-347-9007 ELBA - Colin Morris, Mgr. Phone 334-897-6972 HEADLAND PEANUT WAREHOUSE CO-OP Jay Jones, Mgr. Chris Hix, Store Mgr. Phone 334-693-3313 JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Mgr. Phone 850-675-4597

CLAY COUNTY EXCHANGE Jeff Kinder, Mgr. Phone 256-396-2097

LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Mgr. Phone 334-335-5082

COLBERT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Daniel Waldrep, Gen. Mgr. LEIGHTON - Tommy Sockwell, Mgr. Phone 256-446-8328 TUSCUMBIA - Chuck Hellums, Mgr. Phone 256-383-6462

MADISON COUNTY COOPERATIVE Keith Griffin, Gen. Mgr. HAZEL GREEN - Phone 256-828-2010 MERIDIANVILLE - Matt Dunbar, Mgr. Phone 256-828-5360 NEW MARKET - Phone 256-379-2553 Ramsey Prince, Mgr. SCOTTSBORO - Phone 256-574-1688 Patricia Rorex, Mgr. STEVENSON - Phone 256-437-8829

DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Lance Ezelle, Gen. Mgr. RAINSVILLE - Andrea Crain, Mgr. Phone 256-638-2569 CROSSVILLE - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ALBERTVILLE - Nicholas Byars, Mgr. Phone 256-878-3261

MARION COUNTY COOPERATIVE Steve Lann, Gen. Mgr. HAMILTON - Phone 205-921-2631 FAYETTE - Kellie Trull, Mgr. Phone 205-932-5901 HALEYVILLE - Jessica Steward, Mgr. Phone 205-486-3794

ELBERTA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Phone 251-986-8103

MARSHALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr. HOLLY POND - Phone 256-796-5337 ARAB - Mark Upton Phone 256-586-5515 MORGAN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Bradley Hopkins, Gen. Mgr. HARTSELLE - Phone 256-773-6832 PIKE COUNTY COOPERATIVE Danny Dewrell, Gen. Mgr. GOSHEN - Phone 334-484-3441 TROY - Jeff Baron, Mgr. Phone 334-566-3882 QUALITY COOPERATIVE, INC. Daniel Salter, Mgr. Phone 334-382-6548 TALEECON FARMERS COOPERATIVE Scott Hartley, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-257-3930 WETUMPKA - Timothy Richardson, Mgr. Phone 334-567-4321 TALLADEGA COUNTY EXCHANGE Chris Elliott, Gen. Mgr. Phone 256-362-2716 ASHVILLE - Allen Bice, Mgr. Phone 205-594-7042 PELL CITY - Joseph Taylor, Mgr. Phone 205-338-2821 COLUMBIANA - Barry Keller, Mgr. Phone 205-669-7082 RANDOLPH - Tim Brown, Mgr. Phone 256-357-4743 TENNESSEE VALLEY COOPERATIVE, LLC John Curtis, President ATHENS – Britt Christopher, Mgr. Phone 256-232-5500 LYNNVILLE, TN - Kyle Doggett, Mgr. Phone 931-527-3923 PULASKI, TN – Celena Williams, Mgr. Phone 931-363-2563 Reggie Shook, Vice Pres. FLORENCE - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 ELGIN - Wendell Walker, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 John Holley, Vice Pres. MOULTON - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 COURTLAND Phone 256-637-2939 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Mgr. Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Mgr. Phone 205-387-1142

*PLEASE CONTACT EACH STORE DIRECTLY FOR ALL OF THE SERVICES THEY OFFER* PEANUTS

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PROPANE

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June 2021

AG INSIGHT USDA staff help in vaccination effort

Behind all the statistics reporting on how many people have received shots of the COVID-19 vaccine, a federal government agency has been quietly assisting that effort. That role came to light recently when the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that qualified staff members had reached the milestone of administering 1 million doses of the vaccine throughout the country. In response to the Biden Administration call to designate federally supported community vaccination centers across the country, USDA has been offering its clinical staff, facilities, cold storage infrastructure, public health experts and disaster response specialists for the effort. With many of its operations in rural areas, the agency has used that footprint to help expand the vaccination effort particularly among tribal communities and socially disadvantaged groups. In a recent count, more than 1,000 USDA personnel had been deployed as part of the vaccination campaign.

A look at estate tax, its impact on farms To say the federal estate tax, derisively referred to as the “death tax” by many of its opponents, hasn’t enjoyed much popularity since it was made a part of the 8

Cooperative Farming News

tax code more than 100 years ago would be a gross understatement. But the tax, a levy on the transfer of property from a deceased person to the heirs at death, applies only to that portion of an estate’s value that exceeds an exemption amount. As a result, it has never applied to all estates and its impact has diminished due to legislative changes in the exemption. The tax exemption has increased from $675,000 in 2000 to $11.58 million in 2020. Under present law, the estate of a person who at death owns assets in excess of the exemption amount must file a federal estate tax return. However, only returns that have an estate above the exemption after deductions for expenses, debts and bequests to a surviving spouse or charity are subject to tax at a rate of 40%. Two additional provisions further reduce estate tax liability for those estates that must file an estate tax return: portability and special use valuation. The portability provision applies specifically to married couples and allows a spouse whose taxable estate is less than the exemption amount ($11.58 million in 2020) to transfer any unused portion of their exemption to their surviving spouse. This unused portion is then added to the surviving spouse’s exemption amount, applicable at the time of their death. This provision allows married couples to more fully use their combined exemption amounts. The special use valuation provision allows farmland to be taxed at its value under actual use, rather than its potential use, as long as the land will continue to be used in agriculture for the next 10 years. The

BY JIM ERICKSON

ERS has estimated that approximately 31,000 principal farm operators died in 2020. Of those estates, an estimated 189 (0.6%) will be required to file an estate tax return, and only 50 (0.16%) will owe federal estate taxes.

reduction in an estate’s value from the special use valuation provision was capped at $1.18 million in 2020. Using the latest data from the 2019 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) and actuarial tables that report the probability of death by age, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has provided detailed information on the application of federal estate taxes to agriculture on its Federal Estate Tax Topic Page. ERS has estimated that approximately 31,000 principal farm operators died in 2020. Of those estates, an estimated 189 (0.6%) will be required to file an estate tax return, and only 50 (0.16%) will owe federal estate taxes. Total federal estate tax liabilities from farm estates owing taxes were forecast to be $130.2 million in 2020 from a total estimated estate value of $56.3 billion. Total tax savings resulting from the special use valuation were predicted to be $20.7 million that year. The share of farm estates required to file a tax return or owe taxes varies by farm size. ERS estimated that less than 0.05% of small family farm estates would owe federal estate taxes. Small family farms have gross cash farm income (GCFI) less than $350,000. Of midsized and large farm estates – farms with GCFI between $350,000 and $5 million – an estimated 2% will owe federal estate taxes. Of very large farm estates, farms with GCFI over $5 million, about 8% will owe federal estate taxes.

Meal program extended through summer USDA has announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session. The new provisions now will apply through Sept. 30. The waivers previously had been extended only through June 30. USDA extended the waivers to provide assurances to local program operators about the summer months, when many children normally wouldn’t be able to access the school meals they depend on during the academic year. According to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, USDA is committed to providing local operators with the flexibilities and resources needed to continue offering the best meal service possible to children they serve. The waivers allow for safe meal distribution sites that serve all children for free, regardless of income. Government estimates say up to 12 million children are living in households where they may not always have enough to eat. The summer meal program is designed to provide relief to many children in families hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Summer meal sites may be located in a variety of settings such as schools, parks, community centers, libraries and churches.

June 2021

Study examines impact of absent landlords The role of absent landlords – who live long distances from the land they rent out to farm operators – has captured the interest of policymakers and academics seeking to understand their role in farmland management and other aspects of local economies and resource management. In response to a congressional request, researchers with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) studied how longer-distance landlords affect the economic health of U.S. agricultural production. A fundamental challenge of studying absent landlords is defining that group. Economists and other agricultural stakeholders do not have a specific definition for “absent landlord,” although some local studies refer to “out-of-state” landlords as absent landlords. ERS considered two groups of absent landlords: those whose mailing address was more than 100 miles from their rented land and those residing more than 200 miles from their rented land. Data from 2014 was used as the base period. Among the study’s findings were these: • There is greater prevalence of absent landlords in counties and states with lower rents and land values. At the same time, the study found no association between absent landlords and recent changes in rents or land values. The 2012-17 rate of gain in land values was relatively constant regardless of the prevalence of absent landlords. • 83% of nonoperator landlords in 2014 lived within 200 miles of the parcels they rented out. The biggest part of that amount – 67% – was owned by landlords within 50 miles of their land.

Cattle are choosy in grazing, research shows Grazing cattle are selective about where and which plants they will eat, an important factor for land managers to consider in deciding how to manage their herds, including how to prevent overgrazing for conserving biodiversity of the land. With the primary goal of determining how factors like landscape topography and water availability affect cattle grazing distribution, USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) collected data from seven rangeland sites in Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, Colorado and Idaho. Collars equipped with global positioning system (GPS) technology were used to measure cattle movement and activity. One observation from these models is cattle prefer to graze low-lying locations in drier regions and more elevated locations in wetter regions, where flooding likely reduces selection.

• While some nonoperator landlords live in major U.S. coastal cities, most live in major cities in agricultural states and are more likely to be retired farm operators or descendants who inherited agricultural land, rather than investors from more distant parts of the country. • Nonoperator landlords who lived farther away from their rented land tended to have larger holdings than those who lived nearby. Photo Credit: Paul Vining

Cooperative Farming News

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June 2021

BUSINESS OF FARMING

Carbon Credits What Are They Worth?

Carbon sequestration, carbon offsets, carbon neutral, carbon credits – all fashionable buzzwords currently in the news cycle. Rewind 10 or 15 years and the same terms were being tossed around just as readily until the carbon market dried up and carbon talk fizzled out in the media. So why do we keep revisiting carbon sequestration? What does it really mean? And, ultimately, what could it potentially be worth to a landowner? To understand carbon sequestration, we really need to explain the driving factor behind needing to capture carbon in the first place. Global warming, a 12

Cooperative Farming News

term you have inevitably heard a multitude of times, is the reason we are again focused on trying to find ways to store carbon. A very abbreviated explanation goes like this: Greenhouse gases (i.e., carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) that can trap heat in the atmosphere are emitted from various activities like use of fossil fuels, manufacturing and agriculture. When emissions increase over time due to increased activities in these processes that produce said gases, atmospheric temperatures will also experience a slight uptick. Left unchecked, baked Alaska won’t just be a dessert anymore. Slight exaggeration, but that’s the gist of it.

BY JESSICA KELTON

The main player in all this potential for warming is carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas by which all other gases are measured (literally, there’s a scale of warming potential by gases and CO2 is the baseline). Why? Because carbon dioxide hangs out in the atmosphere for a really, really long time. By EPA estimates, in 2019 there was approximately 6,577 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emitted by various sources. The figure shows how these rates have changed over time by sector and notice the small purple line that represents agriculture. This is a critical point to note in the carbon sequestration discussion. Yes, agriculture does produce some amount of greenhouse gas emission from tractors and cows, etc., but land use is also key to how we remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. And that’s how agriculture gets pulled into the carbon credit arena. Although the biggest push has been for industries to adopt cleaner technologies to reduce emissions, and, to a large degree, they have, there has still been talk for the need to further offset emissions by increasing sequestration of carbon dioxide. This would mean using land management practices such as cover cropping, reduced tillage, certain timber management practices, etc. to promote storage of carbon dioxide. In 2019, the EPA roughly estimated 789 million metric tons of carbon dioxide was captured (sequestered) in the soil or plants like timber production. This means there is a lot of potential for land, particularly ag land, to store a lot of carbon dioxide. In fact, we can now measure or estimate a measurement of how much carbon is potentially stored by different practices.

Companies are now willing to pay to offset carbon dioxide emissions to those that are doing things to capture carbon like landowners and farmers. So how does one derive an economic value from storing this carbon? Good question. In the past, and even now except in some other countries and a few states that have set goals for reduced emissions, there has been no mandate requiring industries to fall below a certain level of greenhouse gas emissions. This lack of mandates was the downfall of the carbon credit industry on the last go-round because there was essentially no demand for the credits. This time, however, voluntary interest by companies as well as the potential for future mandates have possibly made the carbon credit market a little more sustainable. Companies are now willing to pay to offset carbon dioxide emissions to those that are doing things to capture carbon like landowners and farmers. How much, however, is all over the board. A carbon credit, which is essentially the storage of 1 metric ton of carbon, could be worth anywhere from $20 an acre to $100, or more or less, depending on who is buying. Most credits are bought and sold through an exchange rather than an individual company approaching a seller, but these exchanges have rules and requirements that vary just as much as the payment. Some require certification of carbon sequestering practices (which the landowner pays for), some require purchase of software or other products through them, some do not have purchase requirements but keep a percentage of the credit. Since there is no standard, it will come down to you as a landowner or grower to read any contract before selling credits and feel comfortable with what you sign. Ultimately, the carbon credit industry, as with any “new” industry, will experience a lot of change before, if ever, it becomes standardized. So, before signing a contract, do your homework on the company, read the contract and feel free to give us a call at Extension. June 2021

FEEDING FACTS

Ionophores Rumen ionophores are a great way to add efficiency and prevent several problems within your cow herd. Typically, when feed prices and other inputs are low, we tend to overlook some of the little things that add to the bottom line and as input costs go up, we as producers will pay more attention to the small things that minimize problems and add value through production efficiency and increased profit. Rumen ionophores are one of the easy ways to add to the bottom line. We have two common ionophores for use in beef cattle. They are lasalocid, trade named Bovatec, and monensin sodium, sold as Rumenisin. They are a bit different in many ways but tend to do similar things. Both will help control coccidia in calves and both will

Cooperative Farming News

make cattle more energy-efficient. They both change the microbial population in the rumen in a way that helps the animal get more nutrition from every bite of feed or forage they take in. Many research trials have shown that both products will increase average daily gain in calves and decrease mortality in situations where coccidia is a problem. Adding a rumen ionophore makes sense and adds value in many ways. This has been a very common thing among cattle producers for a long time and is an easy way to have heavier, healthier calves when market time comes around. Unless you are chasing premiums in the “all natural” cattle marketing channels, the use of one of the rumen ionophores is a proven way to add to profit.

B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R

One other thing to consider is feeding in pastures with multiple species. Neither Bovatec or Rumensin is labeled for horses or other equines and both can be toxic to them; so care must be taken when horses or donkeys are being pastured with cattle or other ruminants. So, the ionophores make sense in younger animals, that is not new information, but what about in the mature cow herd? Theoretically, both should add value there as well. However, only one of the two is labeled for mature cattle. Bovatec is not labeled for mature animals and can only legally be used in calves. Rumensin, on the other hand, has a mature beef cow label and is approved in lactating dairy cows as well. That fact alone should speak to the safety of the product. Why would we want to add the cost of Rumensin to a mature cow’s diet? That is the most relevant question, especially as feed costs continue to go up. Multiple studies have shown similar results when Rumensin was added to mature cattle diets. Conception rates were generally improved by around 5% and the number of days to rebreed was cut by about a week. Since Rumensin has shown increased milk production in dairy trials, it would make sense that beef cattle would give a bit more milk each day and wean a heavier calf as well, and research has shown about a 20-pound advantage at weaning when Rumensin was fed to the mature cow herd. How does an ionophore give these advantages? The answer to that is fairly simple. There are many kinds of bacteria in a cow’s rumen that digest forages and feeds. The ionophores make the rumen more favorable to the bacteria that are more efficient at digesting feeds and turning them into energy. So, the animal gets more energy from each bite of feed. More energy equals more production. More milk production yields a heavier calf. More energy gives a better body condition in the cow and that shortens the breeding

interval and increases conception rates when all other factors are equal. The bottom line is that feeds and forages cost money and the rumen ionophores give a producer a larger return on the money that was already spent by making the cattle use their food more efficiently. One other thing to consider is feeding in pastures with multiple species. Neither Bovatec or Rumensin is labeled for horses or other equines and both can be toxic to them; so care must be taken when horses or donkeys are being pastured with cattle or other ruminants. Oddly enough, Bovatec is labeled for sheep but not goats and Rumensin is labeled for goats but not sheep; so there is no good answer for those producers who graze sheep and goats together. While you have to be a bit careful where you feed the ionophores, they tend to add lots of value to the bottom line of many producers throughout the state and region no matter what segment of the cattle industry is being discussed. Small calves, stocker calves and mature cattle can all benefit from the added energy received from the feed they consume when an ionophore is added to the mix.

June 2021

FROM THE STATE VET’S OFFICE

Feral Swine Going Hog Wild

Occasionally I write about tick diseases. I usually fit the comment into the article that I have never really known of a single redeeming quality of ticks. I would say the same thing about feral swine. I suppose it is all about perspective but from where I stand, the world would be no worse off if they were all suddenly abducted by aliens and gone. I know that we are concerned any time a species goes extinct, but I can’t think of any meaningful way most of us would miss the feral hogs if they just packed up and left. If you are into hunting feral swine, you may be in that small group of people who would miss them. I can cut you some slack, though, since I think you are trying to make the world better for the rest of us. According to the USDA, feral swine are not native to America. They were apparently brought here by explorers and settlers back in the 1500s. Then in the 1900s, the Russian and European wild boar was introduced 16

Cooperative Farming News

for the purpose of sport hunting. Like a lot of things that were done years ago like putting lead in paint, I don’t think the long-term implications were given much thought. So here we are a century later with an estimated population of six million feral hogs and we seem to have a situation on our hands. My specific concern as State Veterinarian is that these animals are a reservoir for disease that could impact the domestic livestock industry as well as humans. Five to 10% of feral swine are infected with Brucella suis. We have been free of Brucella suis in Alabama since the late 1900s. That was quite an accomplishment. And the way domestic swine are raised today, there is less opportunity for exposure to feral swine. However, with the growing number of people who want to raise their own food and go back to the way great grandpa did it with hogs on pasture, the opportunity for exposure increases.

BY DR. TONY FRAZIER

Brucellosis is also a zoonotic disease (a disease that can jump from animals to humans). A long time ago I read an article in some veterinary publication that gave an account of a veterinarian who had become infected with Brucella suis in his work with swine. I am sure he had developed one of the more severe cases, but he became so debilitated by the disease, he had to go on disability. Several years ago, contracting brucellosis was a hazard of the meat processing industry. With the elimination of brucellosis in our domestic animals, the threat exists for those who hunt and would field-dress feral swine or process them. Additionally, 20-40% of feral swine are infected with pseudorabies. While this may not be a huge issue with it getting into our domestic swine population, the possibility does exist. Pigs are the natural host for pseudorabies, also known as the mad itch, and it is often fatal to other species which become infected with this specific herpes virus. It is not uncommon for dogs that are used to hunt and trap feral swine to become infected and die from the disease. When I use a term like “billion,” I can’t immediately picture something that big. It does help when I realize that a billion is a thousand million. Anyway, the USDA estimates $1.5 billion cost in the United States each year in damages and control of these pests. They cause damage to crops, pastures, timber and wildlife habitat. USDA is announcing some funding to help landowners who have been pillaged by these animals. I participate in a Feral Pig Working Group that includes ALFA, NRCS, USDA-APHIS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Auburn University, Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, AFW, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and others. The large number of entities involved reflects how far-reaching

the damage from the animals can be. Not only is the feral pig situation something that will only get worse if we ignore it, it seems to be getting worse with us giving it a fair amount of attention. I suppose feral swine are sort of the perfect storm. They have no natural predators. They have extremely high reproductive rates. They are facultative omnivores, which means they will eat anything. Even thinning out the population by removing some feral pigs, if one bred sow is left, she will have more nutrition and become even more reproductive. I would issue a plea that you do not trap and move these animals. First, because it is illegal and, second, because you may be moving the animals into areas where they have not already populated. There have been feral pig sightings in all 67 counties. However, populations have not been established everywhere. Their territory does keep expanding. I believe it will be difficult to ever get rid of wild hogs, especially in places like the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta swamps. If you feel the need to hunt these animals, go to them. Do not try to bring them to your area if they are not already there. So be aware of what is on your property. If you already have feral swine, you know how serious the issue is. Work with your local game warden to find out about hunting and trapping guidelines. Use caution if processing these animal carcasses. They could have Brucella suis. Also dispose of carcasses properly. You can get educated about the feral swine issue through USDA, NRCS and your county Extension office. Alabama is not a large swine industry state, but we do want to protect what we have. We will continue to work with the other agencies and entities that have a “dog in the fight” to continue to try to reduce the population and damage caused by feral swine.

The USDA estimates $1.5 billion cost in the United States each year in damages and control of these pests. They cause damage to crops, pastures, timber and wildlife habitat.

June 2021

AFC Feed, LLC Feed Donation to Tornado Victims BY J E S S I E S H O O K

AFC Feed, LLC, along with the help of their friends at Mid-State Farmers Co-op, have distributed 22,000 pounds of feed to farmers in need after tornadoes tore across the state of Alabama Thursday, March 25. The destruction of these tornadoes caused at least five deaths and multiple injuries to people in the state of Alabama. “It was important that we saw our farmers and their animals in need and were able to act swiftly,” said David Riggs, General Manager of AFC Feed, LLC. “This will be one less thing that they will have to worry about during this time of clean-up and rebuilding.” Because of Purina and Triple Crown donating equine feed, AFC Feed donated cattle feed because they did not want the beef industry to fall to the wayside. According to Bamabeef.org, Alabama ranks 15th among all states in the number of beef cows and 18

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eighth in the number of farms with beef cattle. “We felt we could be more effective on the large animal side also because these animals have the most dollar amount impact to farmer’s feed cost,” Riggs added. AFC Feed wanted to fill this need within the community and felt the responsibility to lend a hand. Because of the location of impact from these tornadoes, Mid-State Farmers Co-op was the perfect location to distribute. “We had the means and measures to contribute to our member store who, in return, could help his direct customer base,” Riggs said. Mid-State Farmers Co-op is located in Columbiana, Alabama, and they were eager to help distribute the feed to their community. “We sought out farmers and rescue farms, and delivered feed as needed,” said Barry Keller, Manager of Mid-State Farmers Co-op. “We hope this will alleviate some stress and worry.

Photos show the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes that passed through Calhoun County. (Left Photo Credit: Bill Wilson - Right Photo Credit: WBRC6 News)

With so much damage, they will not have to worry about getting feed or have the financial worry during this time.” These animals are an integral part of farms and these donations will help farmers keep their businesses running while the cleanup continues. Many animals were also displaced from their farms due to the damage. Feed donations also went to those shelters that

are holding the animals until they can be identified by their owners. When asked about the reason behind their involvement and contribution to this donation, both Riggs and Keller agreed, it’s about the community. “This is our community, family and friends who were affected by these storms,” Keller added. “Without this community, we would not survive, their livelihood is also ours.”

IMPROVING LIFE ON YOUR LAND SINCE 1945

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June 2021

WHAT’S THE POINT WITH GREENPOINT AG

Juggling Fungicide Variables

Knowing when not to spray is as important as deciding to pull the trigger. Achieving and maintaining success as a farmer is a challenge, to say the least. To be effective, we must stay ahead of the technology learning curve, keep our eyes on the budget and make sound strategic decisions. Fungicide — whether to use it or not — is a good example of these challenges. Unfortunately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach that makes financial sense when it comes to spraying fungicides. The successful farmer will weigh a multitude of variables and compare them against current commodity prices before making his or her decision. But first, it helps to fully understand what response-to-fungicide (RTF) rankings mean. When a new hybrid of a rowcrop species — corn, beans, wheat, etc. — is released to the market, Winfield agronomists evaluate them for their RTF. Basically, we spray multiple reps of those hybrids with a fungicide alongside an identical untreated check (set of rows) of the exact same varieties. Then, throughout the year, we conduct disease rankings — pre- and post-application — to get an idea of what the disease pressure is, which fungicide products are working best and so on. At the con20

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clusion of the season, we take all that information, along with yields, look at it holistically and then segregate it into low-, medium- and high-disease pressure. With the hybrids specifically, we evaluate them across all environments. How does Hybrid A respond to a particular fungicide versus Hybrid B? How does the yield turn out? At that point, we can assign them a designation of low-, moderate- and high-response to fungicide, or RTF. What does RTF mean? A low-RTF hybrid means that the yield response was right at or below the break-even point when you consider the fungicide and application costs versus the commodity prices for that year. A moderate-RTF hybrid is right at or above breakeven for those same variables. Sometimes you will gain a little, sometimes you’ll be slightly under. Then, a high-RTF hybrid is always well above the break-even point. They’re no-brainers. Regardless of the disease environment, they will pay. What do these yield differences look like? In 2020,

DARRIN HOLDER

we saw a range of anywhere between 3.9 and 35 bushels an acre. This means one of the low-RTF hybrids saw only a 3.9-bushel advantage after being sprayed with a fungicide, while one of the high-RTF hybrids produced a 35-bushel advantage. Both were planted in the exact same environment and were sprayed with the exact same product. Remember, all of these hybrids are good varieties that the producer should consider planting based on local performance, soil type and management practices. When we talk about RTF, we’re only talking about the yield response to being sprayed with fungicide — not the overall yield. How do I use RTF rankings? So, how do you, the grower, use this information on your farm? To begin with, you should look at current prices. Just like death and taxes, you can count on the fluidity of commodity prices. Some years, they’re up; some, they’re down. Last year, 2020, was a down year, which meant that a smart grower would have to decide whether or not to invest in fungicides on a hybrid-by-hybrid basis. On an up year, like 2021, those decisions will be different. In both cases, return-on-investment (ROI) is the ultimate determining factor, and you must ask yourself the question, “By spraying this field, will I make money or lose it?” Clearly, we all want to make it, and the way to do that is to use the data that is available to you and make strategic decisions. Let’s just take the low-RTF hybrids in 2020 when corn was around $3.50 a bushel. At that price, the low-RTF corn — those near that 3.9-bushel number — wouldn’t cover cost. They would have to be closer to 9 or 10 bushels to break even. But for the high-RTF hybrids, corn would’ve had to been around $1 a bushel for them not to pay. OK, so you have the RTF data and you’re looking at the upcoming season. Here is a good approach to take: The high-price year approach ($7 corn) High-RTF hybrids: Put those input dollars aside and plan to spray fungicide. Get with your local Co-op to schedule your application. You have a great opportunity to see a return on your investment. Moderate-RTF hybrids: You should probably go ahead and put dollars aside and schedule your application for these as well. You still have a good cushion on yield versus price. Low-RTF hybrids: Consider a wait-and-see approach. What environment should you plant them in? Is it conducive to disease? Are you seeing extend-

ed periods of moisture? Is the field no-till or worked ground? Are you planting early or late? Will the field be corn-on-soybeans or corn-on-corn? (If it’s the latter, the inoculum from the previous years’ disease will still be there.) Set dollars aside for a possible treatment, but don’t use them until you know you need them. Don’t schedule treatment yet. The low-price year approach ($3 corn) High-RTF hybrids: These will still get a fungicide treatment. Remember, high-RTF hybrids will always get a fungicide treatment unless corn is $1 or below, and I don’t see that happening, so approach these the same as in a high-price year. Moderate-RTF hybrids: Pump the brakes and see how the season unfolds. Just like low-RTF hybrids in a high-price season, set those dollars aside but see how the year unfolds. Low-RTF hybrids: Don’t spray. There’s just not enough yield response for these varieties to return your investment in a down year. In case of southern rust The exception to these guidelines is the presence of southern rust, a disease caused by the pathogen Puccinia polysora. Southern rust generally develops in the southernmost corn states and then moves north via prevailing winds if the conditions are favorable. (These usually involve high temperatures and humidity.) Although southern rust is fairly uncommon in the Tennessee area, it’s certainly worth planning for. If it appears, I recommend kicking into protection mode. Instead of shooting for incremental bushels based on RTF, you need to do everything possible to protect your available yield, and that means spraying fungicide. Adjuvant? Yes, please, and thank you If and when the time comes to spray fungicide, you should do everything you can to make that product pay, and that includes using a high-quality adjuvant. This holds true regardless of which fungicide you’re using, whether you’re using a ground rig, a high-clearance rig, or even a helicopter or airplane. I highly recommend WinField® United MasterLock® for doing a superior job of controlling drift and improving deposition to get that product all the way up and down throughout the canopy. Remember, as a Co-op member or customer, you have access to a great deal of experience and expertise with the agronomy professionals at your local store. Don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a fungicide consultation. June 2021 21

ON THE EDGE OF COMMON SENSE

B Y B A X T E R B L A C K , DV M

Here

By The Owl A while back I was asked who has had the greatest influence on my life. I hadn’t ever given it much thought, like most folks, I guess. After considerin’ for a while I came up with six people that I could say actually affected the direction of my thinkin’. My dad, Doc Brimhall, John Basabe, Red Steagall, Patrick Gottsch and Rupert Mansell. Mr. Mansell was my vo-ag teacher in Las Cruces, New Mexico from 1961-1962. “Here by the owl. The owl is the symbol of wisdom ....” It’s hard for a 16-yearold kid to evaluate wisdom. I remember Rupert, as we referred to him behind his back, tryin’ to teach that rag tag bunch of boys anything (it was all boys back then). Lots of us really didn’t have much in the way of money. Our projects included four or five scraggly sheep, or a couple of steers, some pecan trees, rabbits or whatever. Sure, there were a few boys whose folks were good farmers and had impressive projects but most of us didn’t. Rupert treated us all the same. What we all had was a love of agriculture and the optimism of youth. That was what Rupert had to work with. He taught us that dirt was under your fingernails and soil was what you tilled. He tried, often in vain, to teach us how to weld and work on machinery. How to block sheep, fit a steer, castrate a hog and how to tell a rib steak from a chuck. It was not until much later 22

Cooperative Farming News

that I came to realize how much a vo-ag teacher has to know. I said Rupert treated everybody the same. That’s not quite true since he made me feel like I was special. But, if the truth were known, he probably made each one of us feel that way. He wasn’t impressed by politics; so when we decided to invite the governor to be the speaker at our local FFA banquet he said to go ahead but don’t advertise it in case the “guv” didn’t show. We sent out invitations to all the school board, principal and other dignitaries. Most declined; they had other things to do. The day before the banquet the governor confirmed. It came out in the paper. Suddenly the local dignitaries were calling trying to get tickets. Overnight they had developed a sincere interest in the Future Farmers. It was one of Rupert’s finest hours. For all you dedicated vo-ag teachers, I salute you, but I remind you that you are in the position to shape young people’s lives. It is no small responsibility. And to Mr. Mansell, who has since passed, from all of us ex-reporters, vice presidents, greenhands, secretaries, state farmers, soil judges, blacks, browns and whites; if we ever amount to anything, you had a hand in it. Yep, you. There by the owl. www.baxterblack.com

PALS

BY JAMIE MITCHELL

East Elementary Joins the Clean Campus Program

ast Elementary is a beautiful school with a rich history, located in the historical area of Cullman, Alabama. The teachers and staff, led by Principal David Wiggins, understand the importance of teaching East Elementary’s second- through sixthgrade students how to take care of their campus. For years, East Elementary has participated in Alabama PALS’s Clean Campus Program. This year they claimed third place in the statewide clean campus scrapbook contest and were awarded a $500 scholarship for their efforts. Clean Campus sponsor Mrs. April Dean, nicknamed “Clean Dean,” attributes their success to the entire East Elementary community comprised of school administration, teachers, students and parents, who enthusiastically pitch in with the Clean Campus effort. This year, Mrs. Dean organized a Halloween Recycled Cardboard Challenge in which students created haunted houses, costume props and even socially distant candy distributors – all from recycled cardboard. At Thanksgiving, East Elementary fourth-graders stud-

ied the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, created their own floats from recycled materials, and held a parade for students and parents to come and watch. East Elementary’s Clean Campus Program encourages students to not only recycle plastic bottles, aluminum and paper but also more unusual items like crayons, markers and grocery sacks. This year, they are holding a Clean Campus fundraiser with recycled crayons that students have melted and molded into new crayons shaped like hearts, pineapples and even Legos. These new and improved crayons will be sold for 50 cents each, and funds will be contributed to furthering East Elementary’s Clean Campus Program. Great job, East Elementary, on your work with the Clean Campus Program! If a school near you would like to learn more about the Clean Campus Program, please have them give me a call at 334-263-7737 or email at jamie@alpals.org. We would love to work with your local schools to create an even more beautiful Alabama! June 2021

4-H EXTENSION CORNER

PB & J to the Rescue Alabama Peanut Producers (APPA) donated 20 peanut butter cases to Geneva and Coffee County 4-H. From left to right: Jesse Scott, APPA Board Member and Geneva County peanut producer; Milisa Dunn, Geneva County Extension Administrative Assistant; Madison Tew, Geneva and Coffee County 4-H Agent; Gloria Marks, Geneva County Extension Coordinator; and Jimmy Helms, APPA Board Member and Geneva County peanut producer.

In early 2020, as COVID-19 swept across the United States, thousands of businesses closed and employees lost their jobs, bringing on an economic recession. Families struggled, and food insecurity increased, as so many more now had limited financial resources. Food Banks saw a record number of people needing help.

As 4-H’ers in the Wiregrass Region looked for ways to serve their communities during the pandemic, they saw the needs of their local communities and realized that food banks and food pantries needed more help. The members wanted to highlight an agricultural product from this area that could help with food shortages. Since over half the peanuts grown in

Jeremy Speros, Wiregrass 4-H Ambassador, assisting Selina Dodson, Pike County 4-H Agent, with the 4-H PB&J Food Drive.

Members of Alpha Gama Delta from Troy University donating to the Pike County 4-H Peanut Butter & Jelly Food Drive.

Cooperative Farming News

B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D

Laura Brown brings the donations from Phi Mu of Troy University for the Pike County 4-H Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive.

the United States are grown in this Wiregrass region, a peanut product seemed the natural choice. And what do kids love that’s made with peanuts? Peanut butter! And what goes best with peanut butter? Jelly! Peanut butter is a great source of protein, and it is also a sustainable food item that will last for a long time on food bank shelves. Jars of peanut butter and jelly would also be easy for 4-H’ers to collect, so the 4-H Youth Councils decided to work together to do a “Peanut Butter & Jelly Drive.” “It was an opportunity for our 4-H kids to impact their own communities,” said Katie Lee, 4-H Foundation Regional Extension Agent from Covington County. “This was a community service project that the Wiregrass Region could work on together!” During February, the 10 Southeast Alabama counties collected jars of peanut butter and jelly. Even though each 4-H group approached the project differently, the students were amazed at the support they got from their individual communities. For example, the Alabama Peanut Producers Association saw an ad on TV and made a huge donation of peanut butter to Dale, Houston, Henry, Geneva, Covington and Coffee counties. Sororities and fraternities at Troy University pitched in to help. One Sonic restaurant in Eufaula saw a Facebook post and asked their customers to chip in. Schools, churches and other local businesses throughout the area joined in. When the project ended, 4-H’ers were able to distribute 3,422 jars of peanut butter and jelly to their local food banks. “This was a fun project for all of our 4-H’ers,” Katie Lee stated. “We are so proud of how well it has taken off, especially since the kids could see the benefits in their own hometowns.”

Haley Solorzano and Emily Porterfield of the Eufaula Sonic saw a Facebook post about the Barbour County 4-H PB&J Food Drive. Their manager contacted Jill Wachs, Barbour County 4-H Agent, and made a donation.

Lily Graeff donated to the Crenshaw County 4-H PB&J Food Drive.

The Samson Homeschool Club in Geneva County had success collecting peanut butter and jelly from their neighbors.

June 2021

FFA SENTINEL

Finding a “New Normal” While state convention was unable to be held in person, the state officers got the star treatment as they filmed their virtual state convention.

ike the rest of the world, Career and Technical Education has been dramatically impacted by COVID-19. Membership in these student leadership organizations is down across the country, and students and teachers have struggled to find ways to be involved. The only human interactions have occurred through a computer screen on Zoom. After a challenging year, though, the Alabama FFA Association is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Spring is always the busiest season for FFA members to compete in the Career and Leadership Development contests that they love and work so hard to find success in. 2020 saw these contests conducted strictly virtually with no national contests to advance to. 2021, however, is allowing opportunities for these students to experience the 26

Cooperative Farming News

Following CDC guidelines like requiring masks, conducting temperature checks, and utilizing social distancing has allowed in-person opportunities to happen.

B R I A N N A PA Y N E

“new normal.” The Alabama FFA state staff and other supporters have been slowly bringing back in-person events for FFA members utilizing several precautions and guidelines. These events started back in March with the election of district FFA officers. Students in each of the state’s three districts came together to interview for one of six officer spots in their respective district. In pre-COVID days, 20-30 students would gather excitedly to go through the different interview phases, but in the “new normal,” students were given a scheduled time to participate to lower the number of participants near one anoth-

er. The day’s events went so well that hope was given of actually having some contests in person. In April, each district was able to hold a hybrid district elimination that consisted of some virtual qualifiers and some in-person events. After all, it is very difficult to hold a safe tractor driving contest virtually. With the help of countless supporters, each district was able to hold nine live events by following CDC guidelines and utilizing schedules for members to compete. While there was no traditional awards ceremony at the end of the day, it was still so great to see that blue corduroy jacket back in action. FFA members competed in livestock judging, land evaluation, forestry evaluation, safe tractor driving and numerous speaking events as they worked to earn a spot in the state finals in May. For events that consisted of large teams such as poultry judging and floriculture, virtual events were held to establish state qualifiers. All of this hard work paid off as 26 state contests were held in person over several days in May. Members who have worked to perfect their craft for years finally had the opportunity to test their skills against other FFA chapters across the state. While these students still could not gather for a large awards ceremony afterward, they took great pride in a job well done. These members and their teachers persevered. They chose to live out the FFA motto and create some truly special memories. The 93rd Alabama FFA State Virtual Convention’s theme was “Conquer.” I cannot think of a more fitting theme. This year, we have seen members and advisers across our state conquer every challenge and obstacle that crossed their paths knowing that they can face whatever tomorrow may bring.

Virtual tractor driving just isn’t the same. Members were so excited to get back to competing in person.

Members of the Centre FFA Chapter participated in several virtual contests to qualify for in-person state contests.

Eighteen FFA chapters competed in the State FFA Land Evaluation contest in March.

June 2021

OUTDOOR LOGIC WITH BIOLOGIC

Four Bean Deer Salad Annual Legumes

Warm-season annual legumes can pump out huge amounts of attractive, protein-rich forage for your herd. Warm-season legumes can be an important factor in antler growth, while cool-season legumes can be a key to filling your tag. (Photo Credit: Tes Jolly)

There are numerous plants classified as legumes (Fabaceae family) and they can be annuals, perennials or biennials. All types can be used in agriculture and wildlife management, but the annuals can be especially productive for whitetails when managed properly. Many annual legumes grow a fruit that develops from a simple carpel that forms a pod and these pods produce foods like beans, peas, lentils and peanuts. Some legumes are also grown for livestock feed because of their prolific production of high-protein, very digestible forage. Another huge bonus of legumes is their capability to fix nitrogen to the soil through bacteria contained in little configurations called “root nodules,” so they also make great soil-builders for rotation, a cover crop or soil-enhancing “green manure.” As gamekeepers, we 28

Cooperative Farming News

can take advantage of all of these above. Legumes include perennials like alfalfa, clover, trefoil and vetch; and annuals like peas, beans, lentils and peanuts. There are also legume trees like the locust tree or the Kentucky coffee-tree. Perennials are important because they are up in the spring before any annuals have begun to germinate, but for your herd to really “put on the feed bag” nothing can compare to the tonnage produced by annuals. Soybeans, iron & clay peas, lablab and winter peas make up the better share of annual legumes most often planted for whitetails. Understanding these legumes and how to best utilize them can help you to attract and hold more deer, grow bigger antlers and take your management efforts to the next level.

BY TODD AMENRUD

SOYBEANS Soybeans are the warm-season annual legume most planted for both agriculture and wildlife management – they may also be the most favored by whitetails. Soybeans come in too many varieties to list with a wide array of characteristics to help managers achieve almost any goal a bean could possibly assist with. Some are great forage producers; some produce a great bean yield while other varieties give you a combination. They are very nutritious, palatable and digestible, containing between 20 and 30% crude protein, depending upon the part of the plant considered and the stage of growth. As mentioned, soybeans can be categorized as either grain creators or forage producers. Soybeans sold for grain production are characteristically shorter and stand more erect. Their goal is to grow up and produce the best bean possible in the selected maturation period. Forage soybeans, on the other hand, usually grow taller (some seven to eight feet tall or more) and tend to vine-out and grow bushier which helps to increase leaf forage production and protect the terminal bud. So if you wish to grow an actual bean for late-season attraction or wintertime protein, a grain soybean would be your best choice. However, if you want to produce tons of green leaf matter for antler growth, fawn rearing and summertime nutrition, then forage soybeans should be planted. Soybeans are easy to plant and easy to establish in a wide range of soil types. They can be planted by drill or broadcast and covered, and like other legumes they prefer a neutral pH. One must also mention the fact that many soybeans come in Roundup Ready varieties. This makes them easy to plant and grow weed-free. The downfall is expense. On average, it’s about twice as expensive to plant a glyphosate-resistant bean as opposed to a regular soybean. Note that even with a regular bean, you can still prevent grass competition with an application of one of the many clethodim-based or sethoxydim-based selective herbicides on the market. Despite the overwhelming number of soybean varieties, deer really aren’t particular when it comes to eating them. I’ve never seen a variety that deer won’t consume; however, a specific type (or group) of soybeans may help fulfill your specific objectives. For example, if you live in the South with a long growing season where late summer is typically the most stressful time period for deer, a later-maturing forage

soybean will ensure ample forage is available during the critical August and September months when natural food sources are low. Conversely, if you live in the North with a short growing season and you are more concerned about having an abundance of standing beans (grain) to hunt over, then an earlier-maturing, bean-producing variety may be better suited.

When planting annual legumes, a manager should use utilization cages to keep close tabs on the amount of pressure the plot is receiving. (Photo Credit: Jesse Raley)

LABLAB It is said that lablab was originally brought into the United States from Australia. Wherever it came from, there’s no doubt it was made famous for whitetail management in Texas. There, researchers showed that lablab improved antler size, body weight and herd density, but it was proven to do all of this under some of the harshest growing conditions in the country … as I said, it’s Texas. A downfall is just like other annual legumes that are susceptible to browse pressure, lablab seems to be doubly so. Lablab is not the best choice for small, unprotected mono-plots – it should be planted in large plots or protected with fencing and/or repellents. Because lablab is a legume, it can be successfully grown anywhere that soybeans and peas will grow. It is very drought tolerant once established, but does not grow well in wet soils. It should be planted during the spring when soybeans are being planted in your area or once the soil temperature reaches 65 F or higher. Whitetails are strongly attracted to lablab’s large, succulent leaves and you should expect utilization June 2021

IRON & CLAY PEAS Iron & clay peas are another warm-season annual that can be grown throughout the United States and planted from May through August. They are often called cowpeas or black-eyed peas, but this legume is actually a bean that produces highly digestible, large, triangular leaves that are very attractive to deer. And just like all our legumes on the list, you’ll have to keep the deer from engulfing them before they start to vine and are able to put on substantial growth. Cowpeas can be planted throughout most of the country from May to August. Later plantings can provide succulent growth to attract deer for an early bow shot. Cowpeas do well in a wide range of soil types, but do best when planted in well-drained soils. They will also tolerate more acidic soils than most other legumes (pH as low as 5.0) and are a bit more tolerant of cold temperatures than lablab and many varieties of soybeans. The forage is relished by whitetails, but iron & clay peas are also great food for upland birds and turkeys. Turkeys will eat the newly emerged seedlings, but when the seedpods dry and shatter they become food for upland birds, turkeys and other animals. Whitetails primarily feed on the leaves during the summer, The one downfall of all of the annual legumes discussed is they can be vulnerable to early browse but they especially favor the young, tenpressure. You must protect small plots or reach what the author refers to as “terminal yield” to keep derer plants. up with the amount of mouths you have to feed. (Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud) Iron & clay peas are planted more often in southern states for a summertime shortly after germination. It should produce about food plot crop than in northern latitudes. Seed (bean) four tons of forage per acre at about 25% protein and pod production is highly dependent upon temperais very digestible. It has a calcium to phosphorus ra- tures and the amount of sunlight, and when planted in tio of two to one making it an especially good choice the North they will often not produce any seed pods. for antler growth. It is very tolerant of browsing once Luckily whitetails go nuts for the forage, not necessarestablished, but it is vulnerable to browse pressure ily the fruit. for the first 30 days of growth. As mentioned, in small Iron & clay peas are an excellent choice to mix plots, it’s wise to protect it with P2 Plot Protector for with other plants to create a smorgasbord for your the first month if you anticipate browsing pressure. herd. They pair well with corn, sorghum, sunflowers, As said, lablab is extremely drought tolerant and cereal grains and other cultivars, but do especiallikes the heat, but will be finished at the first hint of ly well with the other legumes on our list. BioLogic’s a frost. Once it makes it to the point of starting to “BioMass All Legume” features soybeans, iron & clay vine (about three to four weeks after germinating), it peas and lablab blended together in a versatile, vigbecomes very vigorous. It’s resistant to insects and orous spring/summer planting. The combination of disease, grows well even in rough or acidic soil and these warm-season legumes gives you attraction produces an incredible amount of forage. power, the ability to do well in almost any growing con30

Cooperative Farming News

Winter peas are like candy to a whitetail. Here you see their purple blooms which resemble sweet peas. (Photo Credit: Brenda Valentine)

dition, teeming tonnage and the capability to treat the blend with a selective grass herbicide (clethodim or sethoxydim) for a clean, legume-only stand.

WINTER PEAS As opposed to the warm-season legumes already covered, an Austrian winter pea is a cool-season annual legume that can produce a great food plot on their own or as an addition to a blend of other plants, primarily used to attract whitetails for hunting opportunities. This is the “go-to” legume for fast attraction for a late-summer/fall planted hunting plot. Once again, however, “terminal yield” must be achieved or a few deer can wipe out a small plot before the hunting season ever begins. Winter peas are easy to grow, quick to germinate and are extremely palatable right away after they pop out of the ground. They are closely related to the peas we grow in our gardens and have the same nitrogen-fixing abilities as all of our featured legumes. They are highly nutritious, extremely digestible, and carry a protein level between 20 and 30%. They don’t do well during a drought, but they do have good winter hardiness, especially when compared to the other legumes on our list. They form vinelike growth and can reach

lengths of five feet or more in good growing conditions. While Austrian winter peas can be planted in a mono stand, unless the plot is large enough to survive heavy browsing, it will be better able to withstand pressure when planted in a blend with other annuals like cereal grains and brassicas. Austrian winter peas are like candy to whitetails. Annual legumes, both warm-season and cool-season, should be on a manager’s menu if they have sufficient acreage to devote or a way to protect them. “Terminal yield” must be realized. They must be protected or enough must be planted to overwhelm the amount of existing pressure. Once past that point, all these annuals can pump out tons of attractive, protein-rich forage. While the warm-season legumes can make a very attractive early-season bow plot, they are primarily used for summertime nutrition. Soybeans that have dried on the stalk can also be late-season attraction and wintertime nutrition, but, for the most part, it’s the green leaf forage that managers take advantage of during summer months. On the other hand, winter peas are most often planted for hunting season attraction. The tender, tempting leaves are too much for a whitetail to resist. All of these legumes, although planted and utilized at different times, are like the perfect four bean salad for your herd. June 2021

Strawberry Almond Clafoutis Serves 6 Ingredients: 1/2 Tablespoon butter 1 p ound strawberries, hulled and halved (about 2 cups) 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1-1/4 cup milk 1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling 3 large eggs 1 Tablespoon vanilla or almond extract (I like almond) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup flour 1/2 cup almonds, sliced Powdered sugar, for garnish Heat oven to 350 F. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with the butter and sprinkle with a little sugar. Toss strawberries in the cornstarch and arrange berries, cut side down, in the baking dish. Using a blender, mix the milk, sugar, eggs, almond extract, salt and flour for about 15 seconds. Pour batter over the strawberries. Sprinkle almonds over the top of mixture. Bake in heated oven for 45 to 60 minutes or until puffed, golden brown and set in the center. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve warm. SIDENOTE: Strawberries are full of antioxidants and vitamins! If you had to choose just one fruit to grow, this is the one! This recipe is in my book, “Stacy Lyn’s Harvest Cookbook”! 32

Cooperative Farming News

About Stacy Lyn Harris Stacy Lyn Harris is a best-selling cookbook author, blogger, TV personality, public speaker, wife and mother of seven children. She currently lives in Pike Road, Alabama, with her husband Scott and their children. Stacy Lyn regularly appears on cable and broadcast television as a guest chef and sustainable living expert. Her critically-acclaimed “Harvest Cookbook” was published in 2017 and contains many of her family’s favorite recipes, along with stories from her life growing up in the Black Belt and tips she’s learned along the way.

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June 2021

Gilmer Dairy F

or over 100 years, the Gilmer family of Lamar County, Alabama, has been a part of the agriculture industry. With its start as a cash crop and livestock operation, Gray Gilmer decided to make dairy the main focus during the 1950s dairy boom. Gray excelled at it and was able to expand the herd over 60 years and three generations. Will Gilmer, now co-owner of Gilmer Dairy, LLC with his father, David Gilmer, is a third-generation dairy farmer and the sixth generation of his family to farm in their community. After Will left the family farm for college with the intention of becoming a computer engineer, it did not take long before he knew where he belonged. “It only took six weeks of being off the farm to realize that I wanted a career in agriculture,” Will said. “By my senior year, the opportunity to live on the farm and work daily with my father easily won out over other career possibilities.” Will never felt the pressure to continue the dairy. “Obligation to continue the family legacy had nothing to do with the decision,” Will added. “Now, that legacy is not lost on me and it is something I’m proud of, but neither brought me back nor prevents me from making 34

Cooperative Farming News

BY JESSIE SHOOK

necessary changes to keep our farm economically viable.” Just like the passing down of Gilmer Dairy from one generation to the next, the need for food to survive and thrive will always secure the need for farmers and farmland in generations to come. “As long as our farmland can be best utilized for some kind of food production

(L to R) Will Gilmer with his son, Linton Gilmer, daughter Jillian Gilmer and wife Joni Gilmer. As a third-generation dairy farmer, Will embraces the importance of being a steward of the land for future generations.

A dairy nutritionist formulates a balanced diet for the Gilmer dairy cows. This diet is comprised of forages, grain products and vitamins. (Photo Credit: Will Gilmer)

and also provide a positive economic return, it’s important that we manage it the way those who come after us can carry on our legacy,” Will said. Gilmer Dairy consists of 230 head of Holstein cows and heifers. The farm is roughly 500 contiguous acres of pasture and cropland with an additional 100 acres of leased cropland. They milk their dairy cows twice a day – early in the morning and early afternoon. “We are members of a dairy cooperative; all of our milk is shipped to a commercial dairy processing facility where it is pasteurized, homogenized and bottled for retail sale along with milk from other dairies that supply that facility,” Will said. The care and well-being of the dairy cows are a main priority at Gilmer Dairy. The farm is a part of the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program (FARM). This program includes standards for animal care that can be tailored to the size and management style of individual farms. “The standards of our farm include maintaining a working relationship with professionals such as large animal veterinarians and dairy nutritionists, vaccination protocols and the judicious use of medically necessary antibiotics, providing clean water, sufficient pasture space and age-specific feed programs,” Will said. The Gilmer Dairy milking cows spend most of their time on pasture or a dry lot. “Our primary Bermudagrass pasture for the milking herd includes access to shade, water troughs and a feeding area the cows can enter and exit free choice,” Will said. “They have access to two shade barns that are equipped with fans, misters and water troughs for hot summer days.” The cows are regularly examined by a veterinarian and have a diet formulated by a dairy nutritionist. The

cows’ diet consists of forages, grain products and vitamins. Gilmer Dairy also has a protocol for breeding their heifers. “They are not bred until they are at least 14 months old because at this point, they will have the proper body size and structure to safely carry a calf from conception to birth,” Will added. “Our heifers are bred to ‘calving-ease’ bulls whose offspring tend to be smaller than the breed average at birth.” This is done to decrease the potential for complications during the heifer’s labor and delivery. From an environmental sustainability standpoint, Gilmer Dairy utilizes the cow manure and wastewater from the milking barn to fertilize the pasture and cropland in accordance with a nutrient management plan. They also employ a combination of no-till and contour farming practices to protect against soil erosion. “We follow an NRCS-developed Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan that allows us to utilize the stored waste fertilizer which decreases our need for commercially manufactured fertilizers,” Will said. “This waste is field-applied by honeywagon in rates determined by soil conditions and crop nutrient requirements.” The dairy industry in Alabama does present many challenges to dairy farms across the state. Two challenges that Gilmer Dairy faces are acquiring hired help and the size of the dairy. “It can be difficult to find good, committed, affordable labor,” Will said.

(L to R) Will Gilmer and his father David Gilmer are now partners of Gilmer Dairy, LLC. After Will graduated from college, the opportunity to live on the farm and work daily with his father easily won out over other career possibilities. (Photo Credit: Will Gilmer)

June 2021

The dairy cows are milked twice daily, in the early morning and early afternoon. The milk is then shipped to a commercial dairy processing facility where it is pasteurized, homogenized and bottled for retail sale along with milk from other dairies. (Photo Credit: Will Gilmer)

“Thankfully, through the years and even now we have dependable nonfamily employees, but it could be an issue if we expand our operation and need to expand our workforce.” This leads to the second challenge – size. “Like most other businesses, costs have risen, profit margins have tightened and economies of scale need to be

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harnessed in order to generate enough profit to remain sustainable,” Will said. “In other words, get big or get out. That’s not to say there is not a place for smaller dairies … some have very successful niches selling directly to the public or supplementing income through agritourism, but the long-term prospect of being able to sell small volumes of milk in the conventional cooperative/commercial system is not very good.” Because of the challenges within the dairy industry, Will advocates for the industry through serving in agriculture organizations, including holding the current position of President of Lamar County’s Farmers Federation. “I’ve also served in several different dairy-specific organizations, working on both promotion and policy. From a public-facing standpoint, I’ve actively promoted our farm and industry on social media for years and have been a featured speaker at several state and national conferences.” With a decline in dairies across the state of Alabama, farms like Gilmer Dairy are few and far between. “The most rewarding part of dairy farming is knowing that you are producing a safe, healthy food product that people are enjoying multiple times a day,” Will explained. So, fill up your glass of milk and support your local dairy this month for National Dairy Month, Will and other dairy farmers across the state will thank you.

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Cooperative Farming News

BY LAURA T U C K E R What do you get a man that has just about everything? I always find myself scratching my head and asking myself this every year right before Father’s Day. My husband is a hardworking man and the father of two little girls. He works tirelessly and loves endlessly, so picking out

something special for him to celebrate his role as a father is important to me. He deserves the world, but I’m convinced if he tried to fit one more thing in that workshop of his, the room would bust at the seams and we’d have a big mess on our hands. He’s the king of gadgets and giz-

June 2021

mos, and if he doesn’t have it in his shop, I can almost guarantee he’s got a part for it. And if you were to simply ask him, “Is there something special you’d like for Father’s Day?” he’d shrug, say he doesn’t know and that he doesn’t need anything. That’s always really helpful. Even though I don’t usually receive a whole lot of clues about what the man wants, I’ve known him long enough to know that starting the day with a really nice breakfast is always guaranteed to make him smile. This tall stack of Bourbon Bacon French Toast is a Father’s Day favorite in our house, and the crispy layers

of bacon paired with the bourbon- or whiskey-infused syrup make a really delicious combination! I don’t know many people that don’t perk right up when they hear bacon sizzling in a pan. I use thick cut bacon in this recipe and make sure to cook extra in case there are any leftovers to enjoy the next morning. Bacon seldom makes it to the next day in our house, though. We really love bacon around here. I also selected an artisan bread that was thick, fluffy and had a beautiful crust on the outside. It soaked up the egg mixture perfectly without making the bread too soggy. Ingredients • 8-10 slices bacon, cooked • 8 slices artisan bread • 6 eggs • 3/4 cup whole milk • 1-1/2 Tablespoons whiskey or bourbon • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1/2 cup syrup • 1 Tablespoon whiskey or bourbon Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, bourbon, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk together until well combined. 2. Heat skillet or griddle to medium-low heat. 3. Heat oven to 350 F. 4. Submerge 1 piece of bread into batter and allow to soak for about 30 seconds. 5. Carefully remove bread and place on griddle. Cook for about 1 minute on each side. 6. Set cooked French toast on a baking sheet. Once all French toast is cooked, place baking sheet in the oven and cook for about 12-15 minutes, or until French toast has become lightly golden and crispy around the edges. 7. Layer pieces of cooked bacon throughout the stack of French toast when plating. 8. Combine syrup with bourbon and drizzle over pancakes. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Cooperative Farming News

My husband prefers his French toast to be crispy on the outside, so I always pop them in the oven for about 15 minutes after I cook them on the griddle. This is optional, but it gives it a nice touch! You can also change up the amount of bourbon in this recipe or leave it out all together depending on taste preferences. I added a little whiskey to the egg batter, plus added a smidge to the syrup to give it a nice flavor. The amount in this recipe gives a pretty subtle flavor, so you can tone it down or turn it up as you please. Father’s Day falls on June 20 this year, so don’t forget to mark your calendars! Go ahead and stock up on the bacon and bread a few days in advance so you can sizzle up a nice tall stack of Bacon Bourbon French Toast for Father’s Day breakfast! Even if the father in your household is indecisive about what he wants for his big day, I can almost guarantee he wouldn’t be sad about sitting down to a plate of this French toast!

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June 2021

Spinks Megginson

Standing

Red Zone in the

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

he 2021 hurricane season begins June 1. People in South Alabama are wary, hoping that the oncoming months do not bring anything like the 2020 hurricane season brought. That year, the Gulf Coast had one of the most active weather seasons on record, with nine named storms hitting the area. Two major hurricanes directly impacted South Alabama. In September, slow-moving Hurricane Sally came ashore in Gulf Shores as a Category 2 hurricane, dumping over 20 inches of rain, bringing widespread flooding, 40

Cooperative Farming News

Spinks Megginson has become a trusted source of weather information in Southwest Alabama and Northwest Florida. Spinks is the Executive Director of RedZone Group, LLC, and serves as its meteorologist.

power outages, wind damage and tornadoes as it cut a swath northeastward through Alabama. In October, the eyewall of late-season Hurricane Zeta plowed directly across storm-weary Mobile, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox and Dallas counties, bringing powerful winds that downed thousands of trees and caused massive structural damage.

Spinks not only wants everyone aware of dangerous weather but he also wants everyone prepared. Here, he explains what to do when a tornado warning is issued.

As mangled power lines blacked out cable and satellite feeds, anxious residents used their cell phones to find Spinks Megginson of RedZone Weather. Since many live in underserved, rural areas, where pop-up tornadoes may go beneath the Mobile radar coverage, Spinks became a lifeline, alerting them to what was coming their way. Thousands of comments scrolled beneath the videos, with watchers thanking Spinks and sharing the live feed with relatives and friends in other areas. Cheryl Clarke was one of the followers. Cheryl lives in Grove Hill, which was hit hard by Hurricane Zeta. When power went out, she used her phone and her RedZone app to find Spinks Megginson. “Whenever we lost power and cable service, we couldn’t even get the Mobile stations,” she stated, “so

Standing before the green screen, Spinks gives the weather as images are projected onto it.

we didn’t know what was going on. I appreciated the fact that he covered our area much better than the larger networks do!” In March 2015, Spinks Megginson and his partner, Bruce Thompson, launched RedZone Group, LLC, serving South Alabama and Northwest Florida. Spinks is the executive director and meteorologist. Since most people rely on their phones for up-to-date weather information, RedZone has quickly become the “go to” source, providing high definition, livestreaming video coverage during severe weather. When tornado warnings are issued, users receive an alert that meteorologist Spinks Megginson is live, discussing the latest details, not only for urban and suburban areas but also for rural areas. RedZone Weather has a primary coverage area of 12 counties in Alabama and Northwest Florida. After March 10, 2017, they added a secondary coverage area of 33 additional counties in Alabama and one additional county in Northwestern Florida. Now, RedZone sends out automated tornado warning tweets for all 46 counties; however, they strongly recommend that viewers have a secondary source available, in case of social media outages. At 7 a.m. each morning, RedZone Weather posts a video, giving daily conditions for the area. If severe, tropical or extreme winter weather warrants coverage, Spinks goes live with his team: Bruce Thompson (executive producer), Bentley Martin and Leigh Margaret Bostic. Spinks usually handles things by himself; but, when tornado warnings are issued, it’s “all hands on deck.” June 2021

Before the pandemic closed schools, Spinks often gave weather talks to children all over South Alabama. This visual demonstration of tornadoes and their power was held at Huxford Elementary School.

“Then, my live feed is a team effort,” he explained. “We absolutely ‘practice what we preach’!” For example, on three different occasions, Spinks and his team have had to put on helmets themselves, during a live broadcast. Once, Spinks was actually in a closet, broadcasting live. “A lot of people in this area don’t have generators,” he added. “With no power, they can still use their cell phones and our RedZone app. They are worried and anxious about their loved ones, so they want to know exactly where the bad weather is located and where it is going.” Since childhood, Spinks has wanted to be a meteorologist. At age 9, he appeared as a “junior fore-

Swift Consolidated School in Bon Secour, Alabama, was the first in-person weather presentation Spinks gave since March 2020 when all schools closed. He enjoys talking to youngsters about being weather aware and knowing what to do when severe weather comes.

Cooperative Farming News

caster” on WPMI in Mobile and later served as a “sky watcher,” reporting daily weather and serving as the data reporter for Brewton. In high school, Spinks landed a job as a news/weather reporter at Brewton’s WEBJ Radio. Later, he attended The University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications & Information Sciences with study specializations in electronic news/weather and geography. While in Tuscaloosa, he interned in meteorology at WVUA-TV, later becoming the weekend weather anchor for WVUA News. After graduation, Spinks returned to Brewton to serve as a youth pastor at First Presbyterian Church before launching RedZone Weather. Spinks has an amazing familiarity with his coverage area. He often names smaller communities, roads and landmarks never mentioned by larger sources. That knowledge became a huge blessing for one viewer. While shopping with her children in Pensacola, Lawana Watson of Riverview, Alabama, received a phone notification, alerting her of a tornado near Century, Florida, where her parents lived. She quickly called her mother, who assured her that they were following the weather on a local TV channel. Suddenly, Lawana’s phone binged again, she turned on the live RedZone Facebook video. When she heard Spinks say the name of the street where her parents lived, warning everyone to “take cover now,” Watson dialed her parents, urging them to go next door, to a neighbor’s brick structure. Her parents had barely made it into the neighbor’s door, when an EF3 tornado hit their own home. “I believe Spinks saved my mom and stepdad’s life,” Watson stated. “He is familiar with this area, and when he named their street, he also relayed the urgency of them getting out.”

The City of Brewton presented a Proclamation of Appreciation to Spinks Megginson for his work during the recent storms. Mayor Yank Lovelace presented the award before the Council and many members of the Megginson family.

Spinks demonstrated how to be ready for severe weather. Once while broadcasting, he, too, had to take action by moving into a closet and wearing his helmet as a tornado passed nearby.

Spinks was raised by his father, Keith, and his Memaw, Paula Megginson, who was always there to support him and to teach him “to love people well.”

Shirley Dixon of Thomasville agreed. “If Spinks tells his watchers a storm is coming, trust him. If Spinks tell you to stay in place because the storm is close to you, trust him!! That storm is close to you!” RedZone relies on corporate sponsors in its coverage areas. “Unlike many operations that are driven by profits, this company will always have the people we serve as our No. 1 priority,” Spinks stated. “Getting out accurate and reliable information should be first. Profit should be second. I’m convinced that if we hold true to this model, we will enjoy success in the long run.” Each day, this dedicated meteorologist scans the

sky and keeps a watchful eye on the horizon, ready to stand in the Red Zone to keep his loyal followers safe. “I certainly could not have imagined a world where I would have an internet-based company, be living where I want to live (my hometown), while doing what I love, and helping people along the way,” he said. “I am so thankful!” Be sure to connect with Spinks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.

In January 2021, Spinks spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Andalusia, who thanked him for the coverage he had given during the many storms in 2020.

June 2021

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HOW’S YOUR GARDEN BY L OIS T R IG G C H A P L I N

Keeping Oakleaf Pretty

Oh, Oh. Squash Bugs

As oakleaf hydrangeas age, they benefit from a little pruning to encourage new shoots. The time to do this is after they bloom, which is now! This improves their vigor, overall shape and bloom. First, cut away any dead wood if you haven’t already, then cut about one quarter of the oldest stems. You will recognize the oldest stems by their larger girth. It may take a small saw to cut though the oldest at or near ground level. This will encourage new shoots to form from the ground to make new trunks. The plants bloom on old wood, so this year’s growth will form next year’s blossoms.

Inspect squash plants for squash bugs because they cause damage quickly, especially on a young plant. At first, they are hidden from sight because they hatch on the underside of the leaves. There the tiny pests pierce the leaf with their mouth to suck sap; as they increase, leaves and stems wilt and collapse from feeding damage. The more bugs, the more damage, so it is imperative to get them early before they can multiply. Infestations begin from clusters of tiny, football-shaped, bronze eggs on the underside of leaves. These hatch into green and dark red nymphs that turn light gray and then brown as they age. They feed in groups on the leaves and vines, and then move to the fruit. Squash and pumpkins are favorites, but they may eat watermelon, cucumbers and gourds, too. They tend to start out in one part of the plant and spread quickly. If only a few plants are

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Young Squash Bugs

SIMPLE TIMES

THE CO-OP PANTRY

June 2021

involved, it is best to look for the eggs daily and remove them by simply lifting them off with the sticky side of some duct tape. Insecticides that kill the pests also kill bees, which are crucial pollinators, so if you must spray, apply at dusk after bees are not active for the day and the spray can dry before morning. Avoid dusts, which are likely to be picked up by the bees.

Multicolored Perennial for Shade Heuchera, a perennial wildflower, was widely known as coral bells because of its coral, bell-shaped blossoms in late spring, but gardeners always also appreciated the silvery pattern of the foliage to brighten the shade. But with modern cultivars, the leaves have become its main attraction. They include variegated, multicolored and patterned, or solid color leaves in shades of purple, pink, green, chartreuse, silver and orange. Some have showy flowers, but for most the foliage is the main attraction. Although traditionally used as a woodland plant, these cultivars are showy enough to mix with other plants in containers, too. Of the dozens of cultivars, some do better than others. It pays to try one before buying multiples. After three years of evaluation at the Mount Cuba Center in Wilmington, Delaware, these emerged as the top 10 performers: Citronelle, Bronze Wave, Cajun Fire, Color Dream, Steel City, Caramel, Apple Crisp, Frosted Violet, Southern Comfort and Spellbound. A .pdf of the entire study is available at https://issuu.com/mtcuba/docs/heuchera_report?fr=sZTNiMjI0NjAxNDg. Of course, rely on local garden center, botanical garden, and master gardener for recommendations first.

Heuchera

Cooperative Farming News

Begonia Basket in Urn

Instant Color Hack One way to make an empty container look instantly full is to plant it with a fully grown and blooming hanging basket. Plants are easily slipped out from the basket and planted into the pot. Then presto, it looks like your plant has been growing in it all along. This is a quick trick for sprucing up pots before a party or special event. The one pictured here is planted with a begonia. Lantana, impatiens and verbena are common basket plants that also work very well for this.

What’s Happening to the Squash? Shriveling squash is often a sign of poor pollination. The flower end of the stem turns soft and brown along with the decaying flower. This often happens during periods of cloudy or wet weather, but the situation should correct itself as the bees return when the weather clears.

Rotting Squash

SIMPLE TIMES BY SU Z Y Mc C RAY

Pennies Kept Us Together

THE CO-OP PANTRY

When one came in the mail, it was read and reread to everybody who came to my Granny and Grandpa Inmon’s house! Usually hastily written by my Aunt Estelle in “far off” Fayette County, Alabama, we were able to keep up with the activities of Estelle (who grew and “put up” a huge garden every year), her husband Jack as he traveled around the state building roads, and each of my seven cousins who ranged from a few years older than me to a few years younger. In return, Granny grabbed her stubby pencil, had Grandpa sharpen the point with his pocket knife, and wrote what was going on with all us cousins and our parents here in and around Oneonta on what they called a “penny postcard,” although the price by then had grown to three whole cents! Likewise, Granny would receive really unusual letters from my Aunt Iris in Michigan! She worked at

a “car factory” and her job was to sit on a stool and mash a button to close or open a huge garage-type door on the plant. When she had the chance, while bored at work during the nicer weather when the door could be left open most of the time, she wrote letters on whatever she could get her hands on: paper towels, backs of other letters – any scrap! Those letters were also read by all of us who traipsed through Granny and Grandpa’s house! We loved if there was a photo of “the twins” (Judy and Joyce, five years older than me) or the others. When that mailman walked up on Granny and Grandpa’s porch, whoever was there quivered in anticipation! It was our link to family!

June 2021

In the early 1960s, my daddy had serious back sur- keep in touch with a handful of those “friends” from gery that could have left him paralyzed. As he recuper- nearly 30 years ago even though I have never ever met ated at home, our rural mailman delivered a beautiful any of them “in person.” “picture postcard” from Germany, showing a quaint I am especially close to one lady. When we were village surrounded by flowers. But the handwritten let- first “talking,” on the internet those many years ago, ter, written in tiny letters on the back, was what thrilled I sensed that she was going through a really rough his soul: It was a note from our friend Trudy who had time. Her husband had died, she had lost her farm, come to live in our valley when she married a young other problems abounded. I sent a simple card with a man from our church. This was one of only a few times note inside of how I was praying for her. Many years she was able to return to her native Germany, but she later she explained how she had thought of suicide took time to remember “Mr. Paul” and the postcard … but that simple card gave her hope of God’s love meant so much to him that he … what if I hadn’t followed kept it for the remainder of his God’s leading and sent that life! simple piece of mail??? She Nowadays, it’s nice to Nowadays, it’s nice to get a has since written a book that message on social media that has testified of God’s grace get a message on social someone is praying for you. to thousands! media that someone is Emails are also usually acYou say you don’t have praying for you. Emails cepted gladly. But there’s just the time? Nobody writes letare also usually acceptsomething about a letter or ters anymore? Nobody sends card that you can hold in your cards? ed gladly. But there’s just hands that really makes a difWe have been studying something about a letter ference. some letters at our church or card that you can hold Two years ago, after Mack on Wednesday nights. Twenand I helped at Vacation Bible ty-one of the books in the Biin your hands that really School, we tried to write notes ble are Epistles, letters, writmakes a difference. to every child that had been ten to first century believers in our class even though we and to US. Peter, Paul, James weren’t the main teachers. Two and John wrote those letdifferent parents contacted us ters to help with our faith, to and told us how their child was guide us, to REMIND US that so excited because that enGod cares and so did they! velope was the very first mail So buy a small stack of they had ever received just for cards at your big box store, them in their own name! or, better yet, just some pretAccording to a short artity paper and envelopes, and cle in Our Daily Bread, for the a book of stamps. If somesecond quarter of 2021, years ago Dr. Jerry Motto one crosses your mind, jot them a tiny note and drop it did research on how “caring letters” impacted medi- in the U.S. Mail. It won’t take five minutes of your time cal patients. That research noted that if a doctor or and it might make a big difference in someone else’s other medical provider simply sent a letter to the pa- life! If you only send one card or note each week, in a tient with “caring” texts to those who had attempted year’s time you will have brightened 52 lives! suicide, the rate of a second suicide attempt was rePeter probably wrote his epistles, his letters, shortduced by half! Since that study, more and more health ly before he was martyred during the time of Nero. care providers have discovered how caring texts, post- Even though he knew he was likely facing death (and cards and, yes, even social media texts as follow-up so was his wife according to history) he still wanted to treatment, can help in treating all types of mental AND encourage others, noting in the last verse: “But grow physical problems! in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Growing up, I enjoyed writing letters to “pen pals.” Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Enjoying writing cards and letters continued as I grew Amen.” (2 Peter 3: 18) older. When the internet was in its infancy, I met many (Suzy and Mack live on a small homestead in Blount “friends” across the country who were into back-to- County and can be reached on Facebook or at the-land living and homesteading just as I was. I still suzy.mccray@yahoo.com.) 50

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HOWLE’S HINTS BY JOH N HOW L E

THE HERB FARMER HOW’S YOUR GARDEN June “Never look back unless you plan to go that way.”

SIMPLE TIMES

- Henry David Thoreau

Whether you are walking down a city street, riding an ATV or plowing a field, looking back can cause serious problems in the literal sense. Figuratively speaking, looking back means to be unfocused on the future and having lingering regrets that are difficult to overcome. Even Jesus talked about the importance of focusing on the job ahead and having no regret about leaving the temporal things of the world behind. “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Looking back and regretting the life she left behind didn’t turn out too good for Lot’s wife as she wound up being a suitable mineral mix for cattle. “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) This June, be sure to look ahead to the good things that are coming and not to the past.

THE CO-OP PANTRY

Burn That Brush Pile

If you have a brush pile or two around the farm that needs burning, June can be an ideal time for it. June 2021

It’s best to do your burning when there is no wind, and if you start around sundown, the moisture levels will increase, decreasing the likelihood of the fire spreading into unwanted areas. In addition, it’s a good idea to keep a spot sprayer full of water on hand for burning flakes that might escape. An easy way to get a fire burning is with the use of a large propane torch that attaches to a 5-gallon grill tank. A full tank can be cumbersome and heavy to carry around. You can remedy this problem by mounting the grill tank to a set of hand trucks with a ratchet strap for ease of mobility. Then, the torch handle can be easily attached to the truck handles with a rubber twist tie for easy transport.

A leaf blower can turn a few smoldering embers into a blazing fire.

Spot Spraying Can Save Clover If weeds are the enemy of the pasture, then clover should be the best friend. Clover fixes nitrogen and makes it readily available in organic form to the surrounding companion plants. If you have weeds such as thistle threatening your pasture forage, try to spot spray as much as possible.

A grill tank can be secured to hand trucks with a ratchet strap for easy transport while creating fire lines and starting brush piles burning.

Sometimes the brush pile burns out leaving logs behind. There are often embers found in the ash that can restart the fire. One of the easiest ways to get a brush pile burning the next day is with a leaf blower. The leaf blower will expose the embers and quickly turn them into roaring flames to finish your burning work. 52

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Spot spraying can save valuable clover and eliminate the undesirable plants before they become a problem.

For the most effective results spot spraying, you can mount a 15-gallon, battery-powered sprayer on the back of an ATV rack, or you can go larger and put a spray tank in the rear of a side by side securely mounted to either the racks or the bed. Remember, when you are going over steep terrain, the extra weight of the fluid in the tank can make the load top heavy, and you can turn over.

According to the EPA, 2,4-D has been used as a broadleaf killer since the 1940s, and it has low toxicity for humans. Mix in a surfactant with water for desired weed control. Visit your local Co-op for more information and purchasing.

ID the Weeds Years of experience working with pasture forage and raising gardens will give one familiarity in identifying problem weeds. In addition, diagnosing unhealthy plants and how to treat them takes experience as well. Sometimes, however, we run into new varieties of weeds that have to be identified before they can be controlled. This is where an app that can be downloaded onto your phone can help. The app, known as “PictureThis,” is a great tool for identifying weeds as well as how to control them. It also gives you step-by-step care guides for desirable plants and tips in dealing with pests and problems suffered by the plants themselves. The app was truly helpful in identifying a new species that invaded our pasture, and we found out it was actually noxious to cattle. For the price of $29.99 per year, it’s much cheaper than a vet bill. You can download it in the App store on your phone.

Preserve the clover, because it is a great companion plant for its nitrogen-fixing qualities.

I have had good results using a mixture of 2,4-D with a surfactant to help the substance stick to the leaves. If you get it on the clover, it will often burn it or curl the clover leaves, but it won’t kill it in one spraying. I even tried the experiment of attempting to kill white clover in my yard with 2,4-D, and it only burned the clover a bit, but the clover quickly bounced back to health after the next rain or two.

This app is beneficial in identifying thousands of weeds and forage types.

This June, spend your energy pressing forward and anticipating good times. The more you think positive thoughts and say positive words, the more likely you are to enjoy the coming days of farming, fishing and gardening. June 2021

THE MAGIC OF GARDENING

Meet Me at the Blackberry Patch Most folks that grew up in the South of my generation (Baby Boomer) or older have spent some time this time of year literally picking their way through a patch of wild blackberries. You younger folks need that experience to toughen you up just a little. Nowadays we have cultivated blackberries planted on farms in rows both managed and trellised for easy harvesting. We miss out on a lot in this new way of growing blackberries. There is less chance of getting ticks or chiggers and much less chance of stepping on a snake. This is not to mention the dreaded thorns that require great skill to avoid. However, one of the things I hear most from old timers who have forgotten all the negatives is that cultivated blackberries don’t taste as good as the wild types. This is changing primarily due to the efforts of gifted plant breeders. My days of wandering through wild blackberry patches are quickly growing to an end, but thankfully we now have some great cultivated thornless varieties of this prized summertime fruit. We can’t grow good raspberries or gooseberries, but we are in a great area to grow some of the best blackberries in the world. Once upon a time we thought the holy grail would be the development of a thornless variety, but 54

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over time, breeders not only achieved that goal but developed more disease resistance, better flavor and even fall-fruiting varieties. Blackberries are biennial in growth habit. They produce a vegetative cane the first season that fruits the next year followed by those canes dying. The vegetative canes are called primocanes and the next year the same canes bear fruit and are called floricanes. This was an easy way of differentiating between the new canes coming up in the early to midsummer from the ones that had fruit on them at the same time. The plant breeders have confused things once again by developing a unique fall-fruiting type of plant called primocane fruiting blackberries. The first time I heard that phrase I thought it was an oxymoron. By definition, fruit form on floricanes not primocanes. But, oh no, the plant breeders threw us a curve and came up with varieties that fruit in the fall on the primocanes that just came up earlier in the summer. To make matters even more confusing, these same primocane fruiting varieties can be managed to fruit as floricanes the next year rather than in the fall. The way this is accomplished is to keep tipping the new growth back all through the summer to prevent flow-

B Y T O N Y G L OV E R

er production. I know a farmer in Cullman County that does this and when I asked why he said, “It’s too hot here to make good fall fruit, but tipping regularly stops fruiting and these plants will then make very early fruit the next year before any of the traditional floricanes varieties are ready thus extending my season.” Are you confused yet? If you want to try a fall primocane-fruiting variety, he suggested you try Prime Ark Freedom. If you want fall fruit, tip it out early in the summer when it reaches 4 feet in height and then allow it to produce flowers for fall fruit. These same canes will produce a late spring to early summer crop the next year.

Once upon a time we thought the holy grail would be the development of a thornless variety, but over time breeders not only achieved that goal but developed more disease resistance, better flavor and even fall fruiting varieties. The newest traditional floricanes variety released from the premier blackberry breeding program at the University of Arkansas is a thornless variety called Ponca. I will harvest my first fruit off plants I started last year early in June and I can’t wait to try them. This is the way it is described on the University of Arkansas website: “Ponca was released in 2019. It is a high-yielding thornless, erect cane with medium-sized fruit with enhanced sweetness and good post-harvest handling traits. Ponca is the sweetest cultivar released to date. A commercial cultivar with good potential as an early-market berry for shipping, local market production and home garden use.” The plants were difficult to find last year, but should become more available over time. I will let you know how they perform when I have a chance to evaluate them myself. The local producer I mentioned earlier said he is also very pleased with a 2018 released variety called Caddo. He harvested his first crop off these plants last year and said they yielded very well and tasted great. They are also thornless and are ripe about midseason. Another thornless variety that has been around a few years called Ouachita (pronounced watch-a-taw) would also be a good one to have since it ripens a little later than Caddo. If you planted Prime Ark Free-

dom, Ponca, Caddo and Ouachita they would ripen in order with a few fall fruit from Prime Ark Freedom. This will give you fruit over a fairly long period of time without being inundated all at once with fruit. For small-scale commercial growers, this is important. If you are a hobby grower that primarily wants a crop to make jams or jellies, this is not that important and you might want to try several varieties and then concentrate on the one or two you like best. If you still prefer the wild thorny fruit, I suggest boots, long pants, long sleeves and a lot of bug spray to keep the ticks and chiggers away. Also, watch out for snakes!

June 2021

FOOD SAFETY

HOME CANNING SEASON Tips for Success

Home canning season is just around the corner. Many have started gardens and produce will soon be ready to harvest and start preserving. Jars and canning lids became scarce last year and it appears that they may be again this year. You may have to order online in bulk; just be careful to make sure you are buying standard canning jars and lids that can be safely used to preserve your produce. Here are some more tips for success: 56

Cooperative Farming News

B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY

Start with a research-tested recipe. Just because a recipe is in print, doesn’t mean it’s safe for you and your family. Start with a recipe that has been tested to make sure that the product is safe and high quality. A great place to begin is with the recipes from the National Center for Home Food Preservation: www.uga.edu/nchfp/. Some states such as Alabama have recipe books that have been developed to ensure safe canning no matter where you live in the state: www.aces.edu/foodsafety/.

gauge, contact your local county Extension office and see when you can have yours tested. Replace canner gaskets every 2-3 years. There is information to help you successfully use your pressure canner: Using Pressure Canners, www.uga.edu/nchfp/publications/ uga/using_press_canners.html. You can also find classes by following us at www.aces.edu/foodsafety and on our Facebook page @acesfoodsafety. We have food preservation classes monthly starting in April through July. Pressure cookers as well as instant cookers cannot be used as pressure canners; they are not tested and recommended to be used as a pressure canner. Pressure canners are designed to hold more and are capable of reaching the correct pressure to safely can low-acid foods (vegetables and meats). Waterbath canners are only designed to be used on high-acid foods such as jams, jellies, pickles, relishes and sauces, and fruits of any kind.

Make sure the recipe you’re using has been time-tested.

Start with equipment in good working order. A boiling water canner should have a flat bottom, so that it fits nicely on the stove top, and a tight-fitting lid. A pressure canner will have either a dial gauge or a weighted gauge. Dial gauge canners should be tested every year for accuracy. Most county Extension offices will test dial gauge canners for free! (This is certainly true in Alabama.) If you have a Presto dial gauge canner, or any other type of pressure canner with a dial

Waterbath canners are only designed to be used on high-acid foods.

June 2021

Purchase new lids each year. The sealing compound breaks down during storage.

Assemble jars and other items. Assemble jars and other items. Use only standard home canning jars, not old mayonnaise jars, and check these to make sure they are not chipped or cracked. Always use two-piece lids; purchase lids new each year (the sealing compound will break down on storage) and sort through screw bands to make sure they are not rusted. It’s fine to reuse canning jars, as long as they are not chipped or cracked. Garage sales can be great places to locate used canning jars; just make sure they were designed for canning. Other items that come in handy for home canning include jar fillers, tongs and lid wands.

Leave your creativity behind! Home canning is one area where being creative can lead to food safety disasters. So begin with an up-todate, research-tested recipe and carefully follow the directions. Don’t make ingredient substitutions, unless they are allowed, and follow the recipe directions through all the steps. Don’t substitute dishwasher canning, oven canning or open-kettle canning for an approved canning method – boiling water canning or pressure canning. And remember, at the end of the day, a sealed canning jar does not indicate that the food inside is safe. A sealed jar simply means that the jar is sealed. You 58

Cooperative Farming News

Just because a jar is sealed doesn’t mean the food inside is safe.

can do a lot of things wrong and still get a jar to seal! As a safety precaution for properly canned foods, boil low-acid foods (i.e., vegetables, meats, fish) 10-11 minutes before eating to destroy any botulism toxin that might be present. If food looks spoiled, foams or has a strange odor during heating, throw it out. Follow these easy steps for safely preserving your garden’s bounty to enjoy all year-round. If you need further information or have questions you can always call your local county Extension office or www. aces.edu/foodsafety for the latest science-based information and recipes for all your canning needs.

REDEMPTION My biological mother died when I was only 3 years old. I was the youngest of her four children. Because my father was in the Air Force and was being stationed overseas for a while, he wasn’t able to keep all of us kids together after my mother’s passing. So, we were passed along from one set of family members to another for over a year. My brother and I finally ended up staying with my grandfather and grandmother in Decatur, Alabama. We lived “out in the country” several miles outside the city limits. My grandparents were by no means wealthy people, so they didn’t take us to town very often. The only entertainment we knew back in those days was fishing at the creek, feeding the cows and visiting with neighbors. Oh, yeah, and we would frequently walk to Baker’s Store just down the road from my grandparents’ house. Baker’s Store was a gas station and convenience store owned by a man named Murray Baker. Every once in a while, my grandparents would give my brother and me a couple of pennies to buy some penny candy at the store. That was the highlight of the week! Now, up to that point in my life, I had never stepped foot inside a movie theater. A typical movie ticket cost about $1.25 back in those days. Add to that the cost of a bag of popcorn and a soda, and you’d be looking at a total cost of about $3. Well, as mentioned before, my grandparents had a very limited budget, so going to the movies was never

an entertainment option. I had heard friends and relatives talk about going to the movies, but I had no idea what the experience was like for myself. One day, though, my grandmother told my brother and me about a special promotional day at The Princess Theater in downtown Decatur. It was called “RC Bottle Cap Day at the Movies” (or something similar to that). On “Bottle Cap Day” you didn’t have to have money to get into the movies. All you needed was six RC Cola bottle caps. You could redeem the bottle caps for a movie ticket at the ticket booth. Well, my grandparents didn’t drink much soda pop in those days. That would have been considered a luxury. So, my brother and I devised a plan. We walked down to Baker’s Store and searched the parking lot for discarded bottle caps.

June 2021

There were hundreds of them laying on the ground all over the place. All we had to do was find six RC Cola caps each and we’d be able to go to the movies. As we searched that parking lot, any time we’d find an RC Cola bottle cap it was just like finding a treasure. We’d pick them up, clean them off and stick them in our pockets. After several minutes of searching, both of us had found the six bottle caps each that we needed. My grandfather took us to the Princess Theater that next Saturday morning and I experienced going to the movies for the very first time in my life. My brother and I didn’t pay the full price of admission to get in to the movies that day. Instead, we got into the movies through a process called “Redemption.” Here’s my simplistic definition for redemption: “An act of exchanging something of lesser value for something of greater value.” My brother and I exchanged 12 seemingly worthless, discarded bottle caps for two movie tickets that day. What a deal that was! Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, lots of people took advantage of the redemption process through S&H green stamps. When you went grocery shopping in those days and spent any amount of money at participating stores, you’d receive S&H Green Stamps based on the amount of your purchase. Those stamps were nothing more than inexpensive pieces of adhesive-backed, perforated paper, yet, those who collected them were able to redeem them for valuable products contained in the S&H Green Stamp catalog. Even today, if you are a coupon collector, you understand the process of redemption. You can take a slip of printed paper that you’ve clipped from a magazine or circular and redeem it for a discounted meal at the local fast-food restaurant (as I frequently do). I don’t know if they still do this, but years ago the coupon would have the actual cash value of the coupon printed in small letters at the bottom. It would say something similar to: “Cash Value 1/100th of a cent.” The promoters were letting you know that the true value of the coupon was not in the actual coupon itself (the paper and the ink) but in the exchange that would take place using the coupon. At some time or another in your life, you’ve probably heard Jesus being called the “Redeemer.” Using my simplistic definition for “redemption,” you can understand that a redeemer is someone who exchanges something of lesser value for something of greater value. Just like those discarded bottle caps at Baker’s Store, our lives were seemingly insignificant. In our own estimation, we had little or no value in the grand scheme of things. But along came the 60

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Redeemer. He saw our true value. He saw something in us that others could not see – something that others had overlooked. He picked us up, cleaned us off and presented us to His Father in Heaven. A great exchange took place. Isaiah 61:3 describes the transaction: “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Did you recognize the exchange in this verse? Did you see the redemption that took place? We had ashes to offer Him, and He gave us beauty in exchange. We had mourning and sadness, yet it was redeemed for the oil of joy. We had nothing but the spirit of heaviness to offer, but it was traded in for garments of praise. Jesus took those things of minimal value that we had to offer and exchanged them for heavenly treasures. We couldn’t pay for any of these blessings on our own. It was beyond our own ability to pay, just like the cost of two movie tickets was far beyond the ability of two young boys to pay. We couldn’t have done it … if not for this beautiful thing called REDEMPTION.

Jeff Register Building & Truss

40’ x 60’ x 12’ - Installed Roof only, closed gables or Roof only, open gables 30’ x 40’ x 10’ - Installed Roof Only, open gables

Office - 601-928-5309 and 601-928-5308 Jregister@registermetals.com Locations: 321 Madison Avenue, Wiggins, MS 39577

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RegisterBarns.com

THE CO-OP PANTRY BY M A RY DE L P H

National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world! Dairy products are packed with important nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, potassium and vitamin D. Plus, it’s an excellent source of protein. Drinking milk and eating dairy products may prevent osteoporosis and bone fractures and even help you maintain a healthy weight. Oh, and by the way, please thank a dairy farmer, even if you have to do it online.

Skillet Macaroni and Cheese 1 cup dried elbow macaroni 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 1 (5-ounce) package cheese, semisoft with garlic and fine herbs 1-1/2 cups milk, fat-free 1 Tablespoon flour 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1/2 cup cheese, shredded cheddar 2 cups fresh baby spinach 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, chicken and onion. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in semisoft cream cheese. Gradually add milk and flour into chicken mixture. Continue stirring and cooking over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low. Add hot sauce, cheddar cheese and cooked macaroni. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes until cheese is melted. Stir in spinach. Serve immediately. Top with cherry tomatoes.

Note from Mary: You will likely end up with Boursin brand semisoft cheese. Store in refrigerator until you are ready to start cooking; then let it get to room temperature just a bit before adding to your dish. Boursin cannot be left out for more than a couple of hours, so keep an eye on a clock.

Milk Braised Chicken 1 (4-pound) whole roasting chicken 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon 2 Tablespoons butter, salted 1 Tablespoon light olive oil 1 cup medium onion, peeled, root removed and cut into wedges 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed 2 cups milk June 2021

Georgia Peach Smoothie 1⁄2 cup plain Greek yogurt 3⁄4 cup milk 2 cups frozen sliced peaches 2 teaspoons honey 1 teaspoon vanilla Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Divide equally among two glasses and serve immediately.

Ham & Cheese Pops Rinse the roasting chicken with cold water and pat dry (be sure to check the neck and body cavities for a bag of giblets, and, if present, remove). Combine the salt, pepper, thyme and tarragon. Sprinkle the top and bottom of the chicken with the spice mixture, rubbing to adhere to the skin. Melt the butter in the bottom of a large, heavy-gauge Dutch oven set over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and begins to froth, pour the olive oil into the pot. When the oils are again hot, place the chicken, breast-side down in the pot. Sear the chicken until the skin is a rich brown color. Insert a sturdy pair of kitchen tongs into the body cavity of the chicken, gripping tightly. Flip the chicken over to sear the bottom. Once the chicken has browned on both sides, turn off the stove. Scatter the onion wedges and smashed garlic into the pot, around the chicken. Pour the milk over the chicken. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes at 350 F or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast reads 175 F. While in the oven, brush the chicken with the milk in the pot every 20 minutes to baste. If at any time the milk completely evaporates while the chicken is cooking, an additional 1/2 cup of milk may be added. Transfer the chicken to a large cutting board, and let rest 10 minutes. After the rest period, a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breast should read 180 F before slicing to serve. Spoon the onions, garlic and any remaining milk sauce into a bowl to serve with the chicken. Note from Mary: You may use 2% or whole milk but NOT skim milk. Use oven temperature only as a guideline, as ovens vary. To assure properly cooked chicken, use the meat thermometer. 62

Cooperative Farming News

8 ounces softened cream cheese 1 Tablespoon honey mustard 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika 1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese 2 Tablespoons diced cooked ham 20 Ritz crackers, crushed 20 pretzel sticks 20 slices English cucumber Combine cream cheese, mustard and paprika in a small bowl; mix until well combined. Fold in cheddar, ham and half of crushed crackers. Moisten hands lightly with water and shape mixture into 20 (1-inch) balls. Gently roll in remaining cracker crumbs; cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve. When chilled, poke pretzel sticks into cheese balls and place each on a cucumber slice.

Almond Joy Ice Cream 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1-1⁄2 cups whole milk 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 2 Tablespoons coconut extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1 cup chopped chocolate-covered almonds, divided In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, milk and sweetened condensed milk until well combined. Add in extracts and stir. Pour mixture into freezer canister of ice cream maker according to your ice cream maker’s instructions. As it freezes, gradually add in the shredded coconut and 3/4 of the almonds. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe container with lid; top with remaining almonds. Cover, place in freezer and allow to harden for several hours or overnight.

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June 2021

Dear Dads, Thanks for giving us the finer things in life, your time, your care, and your love.

Happy Father’s Day!

Cooperative Farming News

our latest listings and more!

www.selandgroup.com | 866-751-LAND SEARCH FOR OVER 800 MORE PROPERTIES ON OUR WEBSITE!

marengo County #3285

384+/- AC - This is one of those rare properties that offers quality fishing opportunities, great deer hunting, and good turkey hunting. You might even be able to catch some ducks using the flooded timber in the back of the large lake. I do not know of a hunting property in the Black Belt currently on the market with newer and nicer amenities and improvements than this place. $1,200,000

Tallapoosa County #2773

533+/- AC - This high-fenced property is an outstanding turn-key hunting operation, spanning 533 acres. Approximately 7,920 feet of the Tallapoosa River flows across the property. Deer and turkey enjoy a varying habitat, including mature timber, agricultural fields, and ample bedding areas. A cultivated field includes a faux power line offering an excellent opportunity for dove hunting. This property comes complete with a cabin, several storage buildings, equipment sheds, and a grain storage bin for feed. $2,300,000

lamar County #3032

595+/- AC - This tract is setup for hunting/recreation and has all the components to provide excellent recreational opportunities with a diversified timber investment. MUST SEE! $1,175,125

talladega County #3124

174+/- AC - Cattle Farm located in Talladega County in Central Alabama. The farm is currently running beef cattle, but several acres have been row cropped in the past. The farm features gently rolling pasture, hay barn, cattle working pens, stream fed lake, cross fenced pastures, two rental houses, and mature hardwood timber. The farm can currently easily maintain 50 cow units with the capacity for more. $549,000

dallas County #3071

640+/- AC - 640ac cattle farm on the Cahaba River in Dallas County, Alabama. 3 bedroom home, 18 acre lake, and over 1 mile of river front. $1,472,000

chambers County

932+/- AC - Large timber investment opportunity! The tract is comprised of different age classes of planted pine and mature hardwood stands. There is also an 8+/- acre pond and Little Chatahospee Creek flows through the property giving water access for the wildlife year-round. Scattered throughout the property are small food plots and there is a good road system that traverses the rolling topography allowing for ease of access. $1,958,040

sumter County #2836

250+/- AC - York Mountain Farms is one of the most beautiful properties you will see in Walker County, AL. This property has a spread of 250 +/- Acres consisting of rolling hills, gorgeous views, and some of the most relaxing places to camp along the creek. $725,000

174+/- AC - The topography on the tract is primarily flat with a gentle slope on the acreage to the south. There is also a lake site on the property that is close to an acre in size, but could be made larger. Tifallili Creek crosses the southwestern corner of the property. Timber on the tract consist of hardwoods, cedar thickets, hackberry, and some pine stands, which when all combined make great wildlife habitat. $346,260

lownes County #3324

Lauderdale County #3083

Walker County #3381

255+/- AC - This property has been managed to produce big deer, turkey, and ducks. There is a well established road system throughout the property making all areas easily accessible. $561,000

GARRETT Farm 5 MEGA-HOUSE BROILER FARM IN CHEROKEE COUNTY, AL

227+/- AC - This tract is as versatile as it is beautiful, with multiple homesites perched on top of hills with spectacular views. Threet Creek runs through the mixed hardwood stand providing year-round water and multiple springs can be found throughout the tract. $726,173

NEW LISTING

Garrett Farm is a two house broiler farm with 114+/- of mostly pasture. This farm is located in the Asbury community of Marshall County, Alabama. The farm has two homes, cattle working facilities, shop, hay barn, lake, and cross fenced pasture. The poultry houses are 40×400 and were built in 2012. They are not in production currently but were witxh Koch Foods Gadsden Complex. The farm has Rotem Controllers, Roxell feeders, direct spark brooders, solid interior and exterior walls, Ziggity Drinkers, BiFold Doors, Farm Alarm, Well and City Water, Diesel Generator, LP Gas, and a compost shed. There are several integrators in the area. This farm is also a great place to expand and build more poultry houses. The farm is cross fenced in the several large pastures and has a state of the art cattle working facility centrally located on the farm. Several of the field are suitable for hay production. There are 3 lakes and a couple of small ponds on the farm. This farm is the perfect combination of cattle and poultry with the room to expand the poultry production economically. Located just minutes from Albertville, Guntersville, Lake Guntersville, and Lake Guntersville State Park, Garrett Farm is a great opportunity.

RANDALL UPCHURCH PoultrySouth Co-Founder 256-239-5379 randall@selandgroup.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROCESS AT WWW.POULTRYSOUTH.COM

ROBERT KING

PoultrySouth Co-Founder 844-855-0680 robert@selandgroup.com

SOUTH.COM

June 2021

Recreation Park Call 256-383-0783 BARBER SMALL BORE June 4-6, 2021 Birmingham - 6030 Barber Motorsports Parkway - Admission Call 205-669-7275 HOWARD HILL ARCHERY SOUTHERN TRADITIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP June 4-6, 2021 McCalla - Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park - Admission 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 205-477-5711

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS June 2 - July 28, 2021 Theodore - Bellingrath Gardens Admission - 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Call 251-973-2217 MUSIC CITY HITMAKERS June 3, 2021 Mobile - Saenger Theatre Admission - 7:30 p.m. Call 251-208-7261 THE ALEXANDER CITY SUN FESTIVAL June 3-11, 2021 Alexander City - Various Locations Call 256-234-3461 HANK WILLIAMS FESTIVAL June 4-5, 2021 Georgiana - Hank Williams Boyhood Home & Museum - Admission Call 334-376-2396 MULE DAY/CHICKENFEST June 4-5, 2021 Gordo - Main Street Friday: 6:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m. Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Call 205-364-7111 9-1-1 FESTIVAL June 4-5, 2021 Haleyville - Downtown Call 205-486-4611 NORTH ALABAMA AFRICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL June 4-5, 2021 Tuscumbia - Willie Green 66 Cooperative Farming News

HOMESTEAD HOLLOW LOEDOWN CAR, TRUCK, AND BIKE SHOW June 4-6, 2021 Springville - Various Locations 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 205-467-2002 PARADE, PAGEANT AND PICNIC IN THE PARK June 5, 2021 Courtland - Downtown Historic District - 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Call 256-637-2707 FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL AND EXPO June 5, 2021 Huntsville - Von Braun Center Admission 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-551-2379 SUMMER ON MAIN STREET FESTIVAL June 5, 2021 Roanoke - Main Street 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 334-863-6612 STREET ROD FESTIVAL June 5, 2021 Muscle Shoals - Spring Park 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 256-381-3518 A CELEBRATION OF MEMORIES: KATHRYN TUCKER WINDHAM BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION June 5, 2021 Thomasville - Coastal Alabama Community College - Admission 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 334-637-3146

STEVENSON DEPOT DAYS June 7-13, 2021 Stevenson - Stevenson Railroad Depot Museum 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Call 256-437-3012 MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET June 10-27, 2021 Birmingham - Virginia Samford Theatre - Admission Thursday - Saturday: 7:30 p.m. Sunday: 2:30 p.m. Call 205-251-1206 ANNUAL ALEXANDER CITY JAZZ FEST June 11-12, 2021 Alexander City - Strand Park & Lake Martin Amphitheater Call 256-234-3461 LEBANESE FOOD AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL June 11-12, 2021 Birmingham - St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church - Admission Drive Thru/Takeout Only 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Call 205-251-5057 SINGING SHOWDOWN June 11-12, 2021 Oneonta - Downtown Call 205-813-7194 ALABAMA STATE GAMES June 11-13, 2021 Dothan - Various Locations Call 334-280-0065 WHEELS ON THE HILL CAR SHOW June 11-13, 2021 Gadsden - Noccalula Falls Admission - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-549-4663 FLORA-BAMA FISHING RODEO June 11-13, 2021 Orange Beach - Flora-Bama Lounge Awards on 13th Call 251-980-5118 "THE MIRACLE WORKER" PLAY June 11 - July 17, 2021 Tuscumbia - Helen Keller’s Birthplace and Home - Admission Friday and Saturday only Gates open at 7:00 p.m. Play starts at 8:00 p.m.

Call 256-383-4066 MARKET IN THE PARK June 11 - July 17, 2021 Atmore - Heritage Park 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Call 251-368-3305 ALABAMA CHILDREN'S CLASSIC BASS TOURNAMENT June 12, 2021 Eufaula - Lakepoint Marina Admission - 5:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 334-687-6266 HYDRANGEAS UNDER THE STARS 2021 June 12, 2021 Hoover - Aldridge Gardens 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Call 205-682-8019 REELIN 'N SMOKIN BACKYARD BBQ COMPETITION June 12, 2021 Huntsville - Ditto Landing 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 256-882-1057 30TH ANNUAL GALA COCKTAIL PARTY AND SILENT AUCTION June 12, 2021 Huntsville - Huntsville Museum of Art Admission - 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. Call 256-535-4350 19TH ANNUAL JUNE FLING June 12, 2021 Oneonta - Downtown 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 205-446-0462 ALABAMA BASS TRAIL TOURNAMENT SERIES LAKE LOGAN MARTIN EVENT June 12, 2021 Pell City - 2801 Stemley Bridge Road 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 855-934-7425 SUMMER LATINO FESTIVAL June 12, 2021 Rainsville - Northeast Alabama Community College Noon - 4:00 p.m. Call 256-638-4418 ext. 2271 BOW-UP AGAINST BREAST CANCER 2021 June 12-13, 2021

Cullman - Cullman Archery Park Admission - Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. Call 205-296-3775 EUPHONIUS June 18-20, 2021 Mountain Brook - Brimingham Zoo Admission Call 205-879-0409 ANNISTON FAMILY HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND CONCERT June 19, 2021 Anniston - Zinn Park Noon - 10:00 p.m. Call 256-236-8221 RIDEYELLOW June 19, 2021 Bay Minette - Halliday Park 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Call 251-937-9099 40TH ANNUAL ALABAMA BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL June 19, 2021 Brewton - Jennings Park 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 251-867-3224

ARTI GRAS July 2-3, 2021 Alexander City - Russell Crossroads 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Call 256-212-1443 JAM ON SLOSS LAKE July 3, 2021 Russellville - Sloss Lake Park 7:30 a.m. - until Call 256-322-6060

***Please note that some of these events may be postponed or canceled due to COVID-19. Please contact the event directly in order to find out more information about the event.***

TRI-STATE EXPO: JUNETEENTH 2021 June 19, 2021 Dothan - Various Locations Noon Call 334-615-3175 THE BARBARIAN CHALLENGE June 19, 2021 Gadsden - Noccalula Falls Park Admission - 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Call 256-549-4663 CHILTON COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL June 19-26, 2021 Clanton - Various Locations Call 205-755-2400 GUNTERSVILLE LAKE HYDROFEST June 26-27, 2021 Guntersville - Lake Guntersville Admission - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Call 256-582-7015 PEPSI BEACH BALL DROP July 1, 2021 Orange Beach - The Wharf Call 251-224-1000

“What’s Happening in Alabama” Policy The AFC Cooperative Farming News publishes event listings as space allows, giving preference to agricultural events of regional or statewide interest and those that are annual or one-time events. The magazine assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information submitted for publication and advises calling ahead to confirm dates, locations, times and possible admission fees. To be included in the calendar, send listings to: Cooperative Farming News Calendar of Events P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609 -oremail to Calendar of Events at subscribe@alafarm.com *Please include name of event, where it will be held (both town and physical location), a phone number for more information, and an email or website.* *Event Listings must be received at least two months in advance and will be accepted up to a year in advance.*

June 2021

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Cooperative Farming News

1119-534HO_0520

June 2021

Articles inside

Finding a “New Normal”

REDEMPTION

Feral Swine: Going Hog Wild

Father's Day Breakfast: Bacon Bourbon French Toast Stacks

Home Canning Season: Tips for Success

Outdoor Logic with Biologic: Four Bean Deer Salad - Annual Legumes

AFC Feed, LLC Feed Donation to Tornado Victims

Gilmer Dairy

What’s Happening in Alabama

The Co-op Pantry

Grazing Grace

The Magic of Gardening

Food Safety

Business of Farming

Simple Times

What’s the Point

On the Edge of Common Sense

How’s Your Garden?

Outdoor Logic with BioLogic

Feeding Facts

Ag Insight

From the State Vet’s Office