Alabama Farmers Bulletin – Fill Out and Use This PDF

Alabama Farmers Bulletin PDF Details

The Alabama Farmers and Consumers Bulletin is published monthly by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. It connects farmers, consumers, and agribusinesses through current market data, classified listings, regulatory notices, and news from state agricultural leadership.

Topics covered in the September 2011 edition

Volume 59, No. 9 addresses several issues that shaped Alabama agriculture in 2011:

• Commissioner's message: Commissioner John McMillan highlights key policy priorities and addresses agricultural challenges facing the state.
• Budget proration: Significant funding cuts resulted in layoffs across the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, reducing staffing levels and affecting program delivery statewide.
• Natural disaster recovery: Severe weather in 2011 destroyed farms, crops, and agribusinesses across Alabama. The publication documents the scale of losses and outlines aid resources for producers seeking assistance.
• Immigration law effects: New state legislation created uncertainty in Alabama's agricultural labor market, raising concerns among farm operators who depend on seasonal and migrant workers.
• Garrett Coliseum update: The bulletin covers plans to revitalize this Montgomery venue, which hosts livestock exhibitions, agricultural fairs, and trade events throughout the year.

Classified ads and marketplace listings

Classified advertising is one of the most widely used features of the publication. Each monthly issue connects buyers and sellers across Alabama's farming community. The classified section covers:

• Livestock and cattle sales: Listings for beef cattle, dairy cows, horses, goats, sheep, and other farm animals. Sellers provide pricing, health certification status, and direct contact details.
• Farm equipment: Tractors, combines, tillers, irrigation systems, trailers, and other implements available from private owners and equipment dealers. Used equipment listings often include make, model, hours, and asking price.
• Aquaculture: Fish farming operations list pond stocking supplies, live fish sales, and pond management services for aquaculture producers across the state.
• Plants and seeds: Vegetable seeds, transplants, fruit trees, berry bushes, hay, and straw offered for sale by growers and nurseries.
• Livestock working dogs: Trained herding and guard dogs are listed with breed, age, and handling qualifications for ranchers seeking reliable farm dogs.
• Miscellaneous farm supplies: Fencing materials, feed storage bins, small tools, and other items that do not fall under a specific livestock or equipment category.

Livestock market prices and auction reports

The bulletin publishes current livestock market prices from sale barns and auction facilities across Alabama. Price reports help producers time buying and selling decisions, compare prices at different facilities, and track market trends over time. Data typically covers feeder calves, beef steers, slaughter cows, sheep, goats, and hogs sold at state-registered auction facilities.

Producers planning to buy or sell livestock can cross-reference the price tables with current USDA Agricultural Marketing Service reports, which the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries references in regulatory guidance published in the same issues.

Regulatory guidance and compliance information

The publication provides practical regulatory guidance alongside its market and classified content. The September 2011 issue covers USDA ear tagging requirements for the National Scrapie Eradication Program. All sheep and goats entering sale facilities or moving across state lines must carry official USDA ear tags for identification and traceability purposes. The publication outlines the tagging process and the contact information for obtaining official tags at no charge from accredited veterinarians or state officials.

Other compliance topics covered across different issues include pesticide applicator licensing renewal deadlines, organic certification pathway updates, changes to federal conservation program enrollment windows, and poultry flock registration requirements for commercial operations.

How to access current and archived issues

This publication has moved to a digital distribution model. Current issues are posted on the official Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries website each month. Farmers and consumers can sign up for email notifications when new issues are published. Archived print editions are held by the department's communications office and are available through Alabama's cooperative extension service county offices.

This page features the September 2011 edition (Volume 59, No. 9) in PDF format. You can view it using the online editor, download a copy for offline reference, or print individual pages. Producers who need related state agricultural forms can find additional documents on FormsPal, including the Alabama Agricultural Timber Registration form and the Open Space Agricultural Valuation application used for property tax classification.

About the publishing department

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is headquartered in Montgomery and oversees plant protection, animal industries, food safety, weights and measures, and consumer protection programs. The department has published this bulletin for decades as a free service to Alabama's agricultural community. Producers and consumers who want to place classified ads in upcoming issues should contact the department's communications office for current submission deadlines and formatting requirements for each category of listing.