Alabama AgCast

On today’s AgCast News for Wed. Sept. 16, we are going to have a brief conversation with Mitt Walker, director of Governmental and Agricultural Programs, while he is in Washington DC working for us in Congress. We will also have a conversation with Blake Thaxton, executive director of Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, or AFVGA, about his upcoming convention and the award submission deadlines that are approaching.

Finally, we will get a commodity report from Maggie Gaddy and a field report from Barrett Gilbert.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

we have Preston Roberts, assistant director in the Alabama Farmers Federation External Affairs Department, and Federation lawyer, who has written an article for our Neighbors Magazine entitled, "Eminent Domain: When the Government Takes Private Property.”

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

In national news, USDA announces data modernization, corn use is up thanks to ethanol, and President Trump announces plans for domestic beef processing.

In Federation news, the Farmers Federation continues to invest in rural health. We will also get a field report with Matthew Durdin and go In The Markets with Chris Prevatt.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Cole Sikes, communications specialist at the Auburn University  College of Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, visits with Nina Payne, research scientists with Auburn University and the Southern Forest Nursery Management Cooperative, about a developing technique to deal with nutsedge on pine plantations.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

In National News, diesel costs rise in the harvest season, a look at 2027 fertilizer purchases, and USDA is purchasing pork.

In State News, Auburn develops breakthrough solution for nutsedge control in pine nurseries.

In Federation News, Alabama pork producers united in new alliance and a report about the recent special election. We will also have a look at commodities and a market report

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

We speak with Dr. Scott Graham, Dr. Jeremy Pickens and hear from Outstanding Young Farm Family, Garrett and Robin Dixon.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Mitt Walker, director of Governmental & Agricultural Programs, joins us to discuss the latest legislation in Congress that could impact Alabama producers.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Here is your ag news for August 12, 2026.

In National News, a call to congress to stabilize the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, US Wheat builds Latin American trade relations, and USDA extends disaster relief application deadline.

In State News, selecting proper breeding stock is key in growing a successful goat herd.

For the Federation, Tanner Hood recaps the Farm & Land Conference, and we go In The Markets with Chris Prevatt.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

Wheat & Feed Grain Referendum Is Aug. 11

Producers who grew feed grains in 2025 or planted for harvest in 2026 are eligible to vote in the Aug. 11 Wheat & Feed Grain Referendum. 

The balloting will determine if the wheat and feed grain checkoff program will continue for five more years at the current rate of 1 cent per bushel on corn, wheat, grain sorghum and oats sold in Alabama.

If approved, checkoff funds would be used to finance research, education and promotion activities aimed at further development of the state's wheat and feed grain industry.

Poll locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in every county. To find a poll location, click this link.

For more details, contact Alabama Farmers Federation Wheat & Feed Grain Division Director Carla Hornady at (334) 613-4216.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation. 

The Special Primary Election is next Tuesday, August 11. This is a winner-take-all election, with the highest vote getter earning the Republican nomination. As our FarmPAC-endorsed candidate for District 1, we speak with Jerry Carl, a strong advocate for Alabama agriculture and returning guest of the AgCast.

Find out more about our sponsor, Alabama Ag Credit, and also about Alabama Farmers Federation.