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Wheat & Feed Grains
Buddy Adamson
(800) 392-5705, ext. 4216
Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers, a division of Alabama Farmers Federation, is composed of wheat & feed grain producers from across the state, including those who grow corn, wheat, grain sorghum, and oats.
In 2005, Alabama farmers harvested 23.8 million bushels of corn from 200,000 acres, or a yield of 119 bushels per acre. Wheat production stood at 2.25 million bushels grown on 45,000 acres for a yield of 50 bushels per acre. Grain sorghum production was 318,000 bushels from 6,000 acres, for a yield of 53 bushels per acre.
Cash receipts figures for 2005 are not yet available, but in 2004, these crops accounted for over $55 million in income to the farmers.
Leading wheat-producing counties are Limestone, Baldwin, Madison, and Houston. Major corn-producing counties are Jackson, Lawrence, Madison, and DeKalb.
For more details about these crops' statistics, visit the Alabama Agricultural Statistics Service website.
Goals and Issues
Goals of Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers are determined by a state committee, which is elected by other producers throughout the state.
Issues and challenges facing producers are evaluated each year, and priority is placed on each to determine the focus for the division's efforts. Goals for 2010 include:- Work to revise farm programs to put profitability back in grain production.
- Expand grain market development programs to create value-added products.
- Work to develop grain cooperative marketing program.
- Secure funding for USDA's Soil Dynamics Lab to address resource management and soil factors limiting crop production efficiency.
- Work to support research to develop new wheat varieties for Southern growing conditions and work with processors to develop markets.
The division administers the state's research and promotion, a self-help program in which producers invest 1 cent per bushel to fund research, promotion, education, advertising, and market development activities. Research summaries and reports by Auburn University can be located at http://www.aces.edu/precisionag and clicking on Grain Crops.
The division also sponsors field days and farm tours in conjunction with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and other ag-related groups. Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers also works closely with the Department of Agronomy & Soils at Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to provide timely information to Alabama producers. The division works with Auburn University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service in identifying research needs and securing federal funds to address these needs. In cooperation with the Alabama Farmers Federation's Cotton Division, the division provides producer leadership oversight in directing the use of these funds so as to best serve the producers' needs.
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Members of the 2010 Alabama Farmers Federation State Wheat & Feed Grains Committee are from left, front row: John Walker IV, Tuscaloosa; Paul Looney, Limestone; Dan Rhyne, Lowndes; Seth More, Pickens; and Mark Hughes, Jackson; back row, Federation Wheat & Feed Grains Director Buddy Adamson; Chairman Shep Morris, Macon; 2nd Vice Chairman Stanley Waters, Marengo; 1st Vice Chairman Andy Wendland, Autauga; Donnie Garrett, Cherokee; and Brian Glenn, Lawrence. Not shown are John Cook of Conecuh County and Wayne Woodham, Dale. |
Activities and Programs
- Work with Auburn University in the development of wheat & feed grains research.
- Work with the state docks to improve facilities and increase exports of Alabama's wheat & feed grains.
- Conduct county and area programs on marketing and education.
- Work to get farm programs tailored for Alabama agriculture.
- Work to increase efficiency of the feed grain industry in Alabama by using more locally grown grain in livestock feeds.
- Encourage producers to participate in the state checkoff program.
- Work to develop new markets and value-added products.
Alabama Farmers Federation at Work for Alabama Producers
As a part of Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers is represented at the state and national levels through the Department of Governmental Affairs and the Department of National Affairs and Natural Resources. The Communications Department provides communications about the important issues and notices through its monthly magazine, Neighbors and biweekly newsletter, Cultivator.
The Local Connection
County Farmers Federations, with the assistance of Area Organization Directors, provide support and a mechanism to address issues on the local level. Herein lies the strength of Alabama Farmers Federation. Each county may establish its own Wheat & Feed Grains Division. Needs and requests from producers in the county are the beginning of policy development and the direction of the Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers. You may contact your county Wheat & Feed Grains Chairman or the Area Organization Director in your region or your County President for more information.
Why Should I Be a Member of Alabama Farmers Federation & Alabama Wheat & Feed Grains Producers?
The Alabama Farmers Federation brings farmers of all commodities together for a common cause. Together, we can accomplish more for everyone's benefit. The more producers actively participate in the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers, the more effective the organization can be on issues affecting them. With membership in the Alabama Farmers Federation come many benefits.
Related Links
Did You Know?
- Corn serves as a primary livestock feed source. A bushel of corn fed to livestock produces 5.6 pounds of retail beef, 13 pounds of retail pork, 19.6 pounds of chicken, or 28 pounds of catfish.
- A 56-pound bushel of corn provides 31.5 pounds of starch, or 33 pounds of sweetener, or 2.5 gallons of ethanol, plus 13.5 pounds of gluten feed, 2.6 pounds of gluten meal, and 1.5 pounds of corn oil.
- A farmer gets 3 cents from every $3.50 box of Wheaties, 10 cents for every box of corn flakes, 5 cents for every 87-cent loaf of bread, and 38 cents for every $1.51 bag of flour.
For more information, contact Buddy Adamson,
Director of Alabama Wheat & Feed Grain Producers, P.O. Box 11000, Montgomery, AL 36191-0001. Phone:
(800) 392-5705, ext. 4216.
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