Alabama AgCast

Among the national news stories; Language is released from the Senate Farm Bill, a new legal defense avenue for farmers, and the USMCA trade deal halted by President Trump.In Federation news; we get a report from the beef tour and farmers appointed to the state’s STEM Council.Finally, we’ll get a field report from David Heflin, news on commodities from Maggie Gaddy, and a look at the markets with Chris Prevatt.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

In national news, with the 4th of July coming up, grilling is on everyone’s mind, but food safety should be a close second.In Federation news, the new class of ALFA Leaders is announced, we take a look at the markets, and I sit down with Matthew Durdin about the recent elections and the importance of FarmPAC and the Federation's grassroots efforts.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Alabama’s timber industry, a cornerstone of the state’s economy, is confronting a systemic market failure that threatens to wipe out billions in generational wealth. According to a new whitepaper titled America's Renewable Resource in Crisis, the permanent closure of ten major pulp and paper mills across the Southeast since 2023 has created a "supply trap" for local landowners and logging contractors.Our guest today is the man who sounded the alarm on this very issue and the co-author of the paper. Tom Richardson holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Forestry, and he is a leading voice in the fight for private property rights and sustainable land management.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

On today’s episode, in national news, we’ll learn about new screwworm resources, a push for farm aid, a deeper dive into the commodity markets, USDA’s specialty crop program, and discover that no two El Ninos are the same. In Federation news, Lydia East has a report about the recent Ag In The Classroom event and Maggie Gaddy reflects on the state FFA convention. Also, with get the latest on commodities and get a field staff report.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Cong. Barry Moore takes time out of his busy schedule in Congress to speak with us about his record and how he will represent the working farm families of Alabama if elected to the US Senate.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

We are bringing you an AgCast Extra, today, to let you know about a confirmation by USDA, that the New World Screwworm has been detected in Texas just north of the Mexico boarder. We will first have a conversation with our Beef Division Director, Chris Prevatt. Next will will hear from USDA Ag Secretary, Brooke Rollins and finally, we’ll hear about the potential economic impact from Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist for StoneX.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

We speak with Annakay Newell, Auburn University assistant professor & Extension specialist in forest health, about the current pine bark beetle infestation in Alabama.Check the pine bark beetle map here.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

In national news, The EPA is working to get rid of diesel exhaust fluid mandates, base acre update opens for ARC and PLC programs, and USDA announces a plan to bolster cotton demand. In Federation news, FarmPAC endorses Barry Moore in the Alabama Senate race and the Women’s Committee uses fashion as a fundraiser. We also have a field report and go In The Markets with Chris Prevatt.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

We spend some time with Brad Rippy, USDA meteorologist out of Washington, DC, about his vital role in preparing and producing the weekly report.View the latest drought monitor.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Here is your AgCast News for May 21, 2026.In national news, USDA announces enhancements to its livestock insurance program and meat demand stays high despite rising prices. In Federation news, primary victories highlight Alabama FarmPAC’s grassroots impact and the Alabama Teacher of the Year is presented with a vehicle, thanks to Alfa Insurance and the Alabama Farmers Federation. We’ll also hear a word from Alfa Insurance and get the commodity report from Maggie Gaddy.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

We visit with Twinkle Cavanaugh, director of Alabama's USDA Rural Development, and Joe Freeman, deputy director, about how their work with this Federal program is helping all of rural Alabama.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

In national news, we hear from one witness during a hearing held by the US Senate Agriculture Committee, we’ll hear advice from Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell and American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall on the importance of passing the Farm Bill in the Senate, we’ll examine a Farm Bill amendment that could help farmers with equipment costs, and Chad Smith brings us a Farm State of Mind report.For the Federation, Maggie Gaddy will bring her story about the “Plant Not Plastic” initiative, Guy Hall gives us his Field Staff Report and we go In the Markets with Chris Prevatt.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

On this AgCast Extra, we will hear highlights from our previous interviews with  FarmPAC-endorsed candidates. The primary election is May 19th, so be sure to vote for these pro-ag candidates and encourage your friends and family to support them.For statewide offices, we will hear from Matt Gentry (0:54), running for Public Service Commission, Place 1; Corey Hill (7:02), candidate for Commissioner of Ag & Industry; Derek Chen (12:47), for State Auditor; Caroleene Dobson (18:47), for Secretary of State; Katherine Robertson (24:22), candidate for Attorney General; and Wes Allen (29:45), running for Lt. Governor.Running for Federal offices, on the AgCast, will be Jerry Carl (35:09), candidate for US House, District 1, and Steve Marshall (40:58), running for the US Senate.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Bethany O'Rear, Extension Agent in Horticulture located in Blount County, about the 250-Pound Challenge as part of their annual Grow More, Give More initiative.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Joining us, in the AgCast Extra, is Caroleene Dobson. Caroleene is our FarmPAC-endorsed candidate running for the office of Secretary of State.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

In today’s episode, we’ll hear from House Ag Chairman, GT Thompson, on Farm Bill Passage, check the pulse of American agriculture, hear about USDA’s wildfire preparations, and learn how US beef is now duty-free in the UK. In Alabama news, we’ll examine the state’s drought conditions and, for Federation members, it’s time to register for the Farm & Land Conference.Links of interest:- Alabama Forestry Commission- Farm Dog of the YearFind out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Eddie McGriff is an agronomic crops agent with Alabama Extension at Auburn University. Last year, Eddie assisted three Alabama row crop farmers who reaped yields worthy of national recognition in the National Corn Growers Association’s Annual Yield Contest. We sat down with him to get his secret.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

On today’s AgCast, the US House Of Representatives just passed the Farm Bill. We’ll talk to Mitt Walker about that. Also, USDA issues more disaster payments to farmers, production is almost complete on a New World screwworm sterile fly plant in Mexico, Marlee Jackson reports on how Alabama farmers participated in a national survey about the high cost of fertilizer, Cindy Strickland tells us about a new commercial insurance offering from Alfa Insurance, Maggie Gaddy brings us the Commodity Column, and Chris Prevatt takes us In The Markets.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.