October/November 2022

Recent Auction Results These Items & Many More Selling Every Week!

Sold! $190,500

239 Bids

2013 John Deere 9460R 4WD Tractor

Sold! $188,000

170 Bids

2016 Case IH 8240 Combine

Sold! $82,500

177 Bids

2005 Peterbilt 379 T/A Truck Tractor

Sold! $174,900

307 Bids

2017 Komatsu PC210LC-11 Excavator W/Hydraulic Thumb

Sold! $179,250

214 Bids

2010 Case IH Magnum 305 MFWD Tractor

Sold! $363,750

402 Bids

2020 Case IH 9250 Axial Flow Track Combine

Sold! $85,050

181 Bids

215 Bids

Sold! $183,750

294 Bids

2017 John Deere S670 2WD Combine

Sold! $71,500

219 Bids

2010 Kenworth T800 T/A Truck Tractor

2013 Kenworth T800 Tri/A Truck Tractor

Sold! $110,750

Sold! $145,000

250 Bids

2013 Komatsu D65WX-17 Dozer W/Ripper

Now is the time to

Harvest your Assets.

2

Sold! $146,500

2012 Challenger MT665D MFWD Tractor

Cooperative Farming News

67 Bids

2013 Case 821F Wheel Loader

Sold! $137,000

196 Bids

2007 John Deere 8230 MFWD Tractor

Sold! $117,250

109 Bids

2019 Massey Ferguson Hesston WR9980 Twin Max Swather

Sold! $135,500

206 Bids

2015 Peterbilt 389 Tri/A Truck Tractor

Sold! $100,250

131 Bids

2012 Vermeer D36X5011 Navigator Series II Directional Drill

Take advantage of End of Year Auctions.

Have Equipment to Sell? Contact us today!

1 (800) 937-3558

www.bigiron.com

(Photo Credit: AFC Publication Staff)

42

CO-OP MATTERS

18 Co-op Corner: Service Awards and Pacesetters

LIFE ON THE HOMEPLACE AND IN THE COMMUNITY

On the Cover:

October and November is when we celebrate beef and harvest season. We are thankful for the hard-working men and women that put food on our table.

26

42 Coastal Growers A Farming Legacy 46 MABE FARM: All in the Family YOUTH MATTERS 24 FFA Sentinel: The Alabama FFA Goes to Washington 26 4-H Extension Corner: Game Changers 29 PALS: Montgomery County Students Hear Clean Campus Message

Letter from the Editor........................ 4 Ag Insight........................................... 8 Business of Farming........................... 12 Feeding Facts ..................................... 14 From the State Vet’s Office................. 16 What’s the Point................................ 22 Outdoor Logic with BioLogic............. 30 Cooking with Stacy Lyn...................... 33 Farming Your Forest........................... 34 Shepherding Outdoors....................... 38 Homegrown with Sweet Grown......... 44 Southern Made Simple....................... 50 How’s Your Garden?.......................... 53 Howle’s Hints..................................... 55 Magic of Gardening............................ 58 Lawn & Garden Checklist.................. 61 Simple Times...................................... 63 Food Safety......................................... 66 Grazing Grace..................................... 69 The Co-op Pantry............................... 71 What’s Happening in Alabama............ 76 w w w. a l a f a r m . c o m

24 30

14 71

CONTENTS

OUR REGULARS

October/November 2022

3

Letter from the Editor

It’s hard to believe the year is almost over. Fall is one of my favorite times, between harvest season and holidays, the cooler weather, and family gatherings with good food, what’s not to love. My husband and I welcomed our son to the world this summer and I’m looking forward to making new memories and starting traditions as we settle in as a new family of three! Speaking of changes, I’m taking on a new role within the company. I’ll continue to be a part of this publication, just a little more behind the scenes. I’m happy to introduce Cooperative Farming News’ new Editor-in-Chief, Tiffany Lester. Tiffany has wonderful ideas and is going to do big things here at AFC. I’m so proud to be a part of this company, this team, and this publication and look forward to the growth we’ll continue to have in the future! Thank you for being a loyal reader, customer, and part of the AFC family.

Samantha Hendricks We wish Samantha the best of luck and are excited to see continued greatness from her in her new role at AFC. Fall is also by far my favorite season! There’s just something about the first chilly breeze that blows down the first bit of leaves and the amazing smell of bonfires and fresh boiled peanuts. It’s an exciting time and there are a lot of exciting stories and information in this issue of Cooperative Farming News. We feature the first farmer-owned peanut shelling plant in Alabama, Coastal Growers, consisting of 195 farm families across the Southeast. There are also some delicious beef recipes you can use to seriously up your tailgate game. And don’t forget to check out the local cattle sales going on from October to February in our Co-op Cattle-Log. Thank you for being a loyal reader, customer, and part of the AFC family.

Tiffany Lester Editor-in-Chief

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Cooperative Farming News

Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc.

Your friendly farm and garden supply store for 85 years and counting. ®

October/November 2022

5

Editor-in-Chief: Tiffany Lester Editor: Jessie Shook Contributing Editor: Jade Randolph Advertising, Editorial, Subscription and Publication Offices 121 Somerville Road NE Decatur, AL 35601-2659 P.O. Box 2227 Decatur, AL 35609-2227 256-308-1618 AFC Officers Rivers Myres, President Ben Haynes, Chairman of the Board

Visit our website to subscribe to our magazine, read online, order our signature Co-op Cap or The Co-op Kitchen Cookbook.

AFC Board of Directors Rickey Cornutt, Matt Haney, Brooks Hayes, Rick Hendricks, Bill Sanders, Jeff Sims, Mike Tate, David Womack Subscription $10 per year For subscription inquiries or change of address: P.O. Box 2227, Decatur, AL 35609-2227 or call 256-308-1618 Subscribe online at https://www.alafarm.com/magazine

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To advertise: Wendy McFarland 334-652-9080 or email McFarlandAdVantage@gmail.com Cooperative Farming News is published bi-monthly by Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc.

www.alafarm.com/caps

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/cookbooks

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

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Cooperative Farming News

FOLLOW US: @Alafarm_coop

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DIRECTORY OF MEMBER COOPERATIVES ALTHA FARMERS COOPERATIVE James Lynn, Gen. 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, Gen. Mgr. Phone 334-899-3263

ATMORE FARMERS COOPERATIVE Todd Booker, Gen. Mgr. Phone 251-368-2191 BLOUNT COUNTY FARMERS COOPERATIVE Eric Sanders, Gen. 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 Seth Eubanks, Gen. Mgr. CENTRE 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 - Ricky Wilks, Mgr. Phone 334-347-9007 ELBA - Colin Morris, Mgr. Phone 334-897-6972 HEADLAND PEANUT WAREHOUSE CO-OP Jay Jones, Gen. Mgr. Chris Hix, Store Mgr. Phone 334-693-3313 JAY PEANUT FARMERS COOPERATIVE Ryan Williams, Gen. Mgr. Phone 850-675-4597

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

LUVERNE COOPERATIVE SERVICES Perry Catrett, Gen. 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 Ben Smith, Mgr. SCOTTSBORO - Phone 256-574-1688 Ramsey Prince, Mgr.

DEKALB FARMERS COOPERATIVE Jason Plunkett, Gen. Mgr. RAINSVILLE - Cody Etherton, Mgr. Phone 256-638-2569 CROSSVILLE - David Tierce, Mgr. Phone 256-528-7188 ALBERTVILLE - James Addison, 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 Justin Brown, Gen. Mgr. Phone 251-986-8103

MARSHALL FARMERS COOPERATIVE Brian Keith, Gen. Mgr. HOLLY POND - Phone 256-796-5337 ARAB - Mark Upton, Mgr. Phone 256-586-5515 MORGAN FARMERS COOPERATIVE Bradley Hopkins, Gen. Mgr. HARTSELLE - Jason Pealor, Mgr. 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, Gen. 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 - Jeff Wales, Mgr. Phone 931-363-2563 Reggie Shook, Vice Pres.

FLORENCE - Robbie Neal, Mgr. Phone 256-764-8441 ELGIN - Blair Shook, Mgr. Phone 256-247-3453 John Holley, Vice Pres.

MOULTON - Greg McCannon, Mgr. Phone 256-974-9213 COURTLAND Phone 256-637-2939 GRASSY - Adam Malone, Mgr. Phone 256-229-6664 TUSCALOOSA FARMERS COOPERATIVE Wayne Gilliam, Gen. Mgr. Phone 205-339-8181 WALKER FARMERS COOPERATIVE Cody King, Gen. Mgr. Phone 205-387-1142

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

PECANS

PROPANE

PEA SHELLING

CATFISH

October/November 2022

7

AG INSIGHT

AG INSIGHT

BY J I M E R I C K S O N

War in Ukraine cuts wheat production; Canadian output predicted higher Ukraine wheat production for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 is estimated at 19.5 million metric tons, down 9% from last month, and down 41% from last year. USDA crop production estimates for Ukraine include estimated output from Crimea. Yield is estimated at 3.71 tons per hectare, down 1% from last month and 17% from last year. Harvested area is estimated at 5.3 million hectares, down 10% from last month and 29% from last year.

USDA forecasts Canada wheat production for mar-

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Cooperative Farming News

keting year 2022/23 at 34.0 million metric tons (mmt), up 1.0 mmt or 3% from last month, 57% over last year and 12% above the 5-year average. Harvested area is estimated at 10.0 million hectares, up 3% from last month, 8% from last year, and 5% above the 5-year average. Yield is forecast at 3.40 metric tons per hectare, unchanged from last month and up 45% over last year. .

War also has impact on fertilizer prices

Global fertilizer prices are at near record levels and may remain elevated throughout 2022 and beyond. Fertilizer accounts for nearly one-fifth of U.S. farm cash costs, with an even greater share for corn and wheat producers. Fertilizer accounts for 36% of a farmer's operating costs for corn, and 35% for wheat.

These elevated prices could have implications for crop production in 2022 and 2023.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the already limited fertilizer supply situation and has triggered import-export restrictions that will compound shortage concerns.

The United States is a significant producer of nitrogen and phosphorus yet imports large quantities of potassium-based fertilizers. Although fertilizer prices began increasing in 2021, many U.S. producers were able to avoid the later surge in prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, because fertilizers for 2022 were purchased in 2021.

However, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the impact of fertilizer prices could likely take a heavier toll on 2023 agricultural production decisions, domestically and abroad. Current fertilizer price increases are reminiscent of the Great Recession period when prices nearly doubled across all major fertilizer

groups at the end of 2007. At that time, fertilizer prices were fueled by rising demand in many emerging markets, increased use of corn and other crops for biofuel production in the United States, Brazil, and Europe, the surge in energy prices, and Chinese fertilizer export tariffs.

However, fertilizer price increases during the Great Recession were short-lived once the demand for fertilizer fell, due to a decline in global agricultural trade coupled with slowing economic growth and low commodity prices.

Much like the period of the Great Recession, similar issues have fueled higher fertilizer prices in 2022. Global fertilizer demand remains strong. Some countries have reduced their fertilizer use since 2007, but many have continued to increase their crop nutrient use.

While the United States’ share of global fertilizer demand has dropped from 20% to 10% since 2007, many of the emerging markets have stepped up their use of fertilizers.

Land-grant research targets farm health, safety issues Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the U.S. Across the nation, people who work or live on farms and ranches are regularly exposed to dangerous machinery, sharp tools, toxic chemicals, biological pathogens, confined spaces, extreme temperatures and other hazards that can cause injuries or deaths. These injuries and deaths can have a ripple effect on the economic and social wellbeing of their communities.

However, land-grant universities are addressing agricultural health and safety issues. Researchers, educators, government and industry have made farms and ranches safer, but improvement is still needed.

Since 2000, a committee of experts at landgrant universities across the U.S. has worked to pinpoint the knowledge, outreach, engineering, and legislation needed to prevent work-related injury, illness, and death. Diverse expertise enables the committee to tackle a wide range of risks from multiple angles.

New use for brewer’s yeast has environmental benefits Brewer's yeast used to make beer is typically discarded once it's no longer needed. Sometimes,

though, the leftover yeast is mixed into livestock feed as a source of protein and vitamins.

Now, there may be even more reason to continue this practice, according to findings by a team of scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Warren Wilson College (WWC), and Asheville Sustainability Research (ASR), LLC of Asheville, North Carolina.

Laboratory results the team published in the journal Frontiers in Animal Science suggest that using leftover brewer's yeast as a feed additive may benefit the environment by helping cows belch less methane into the air as a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.

Agriculture accounts for 11% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (5,981 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent), with ruminant animals including cows responsible for more than a quarter of that total.

Ag R&D spending on downward trend

In the United States, public agricultural research and development (R&D), which includes any agricultural R&D conducted at universities or government laboratories regardless of funding source, is supported through federal-state partnerships.

October/November 2022

9

USDA produces desert locust genome

These partnerships provide an important complement to business R&D, providing scientific and technological innovations that raise U.S. agri-food system productivity.

This public R&D investment is the primary driver of long-term productivity growth in U.S. agriculture. In addition to increasing farm productivity, public agricultural R&D investment also supports improvements in natural resources and forestry management, helps advance rural development, enhances food safety and quality, and informs markets and policy.

Research supported by the USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) has found spending on public agricultural R&D from 1900 to 2011 generated, on average, $20 in benefits to the U.S. economy for every $1 of spending.

However, this spending has been trending downwards. In 2019 (the last year for which complete statistics are available), public agricultural R&D spending in the United States totaled $5.16 billion, about a third lower than the peak in 2002 when spending was $7.64 billion (in constant 2019 dollars). At the same time, other countries have maintained or increased their spending on agricultural R&D. The federal government funds about two-thirds of public agricultural research in the United States, with state governments and non-government sources funding the rest.

With federal funding, land-grant universities and other non-federal institutions perform about 70% of U.S. public agricultural research. USDA agencies perform the remainder.

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Cooperative Farming News

The first high-quality genome of the desert locust—those voracious feeders of plague and devastation infamy and the most destructive migratory insect in the world—has been produced by U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service scientists (ARS).

The genome of the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) is enormous at just under 9 billion base pairs, nearly three times the size of the human genome. The desert locust is one of the largest insect genomes ever completed and it was all done from a single locust.

Desert locust plagues are cyclic and have been recorded since the times of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt, as far back as 3200 B.C. In recent decades, there have been desert locust swarms in 1967-1969, 1986-1989 and most lately 2020-2022. They cause devastation in East Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia, threatening food security in many countries.

Their damage can be massive. A small swarm can eat as much food in a day as would feed 35,000 people; a swarm of historic proportions covering the area of New York City eats in one day the same amount as the population of New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey combined, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Current desert locust control mostly depends on locating swarms and spraying them with broad-spectrum pesticides. Ultimately, this genomics work could decrease dependence on such pesticides.

The research is part of the Ag100Pest Initiative, a program of USDA’s Agricultural Research Service to develop high quality genomes for the top 100 arthropod pests in agriculture as a foundation for basic and applied research.

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October/November 2022

11

BUSINESS OF FARMING

USING INSURANCE TO MANAGE RISK IN HAY AND FORAGE PRODUCTION A STEADILY INCREASING TREND IN ALABAMA

BY A DA M N . R A B I N O W I T Z , P H . D .

One of the biggest uncertainties that hay and forage producers face is weather and the ability to receive adequate moisture for the growth and maturity of pasture and forages. Of course, weather is completely out of human control, making it a very uncertain factor of production. There are options to help manage the risk that is associated with that uncertainty and to minimize the financial impact on agricultural production.

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Cooperative Farming News

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) administers an insurance program targeted toward producers of perennial forage for grazing and hay. The Rainfall Index (RI) Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) insurance program provides a heavily subsidized insurance product that has been available in Alabama since 2009. When rainfall is low, relative to historical averages, this insurance product will

more or less than the average productivity in the area. RMA has an online decision tool (https://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/prf) that allows one to view historical rainfall averages, choose options and estimate indemnities.

SUBSIDIZED PREMIUMS

pay indemnities on eligible policies to help producers cover replacement feed costs or lost revenue.

Acreage enrolled in PRF has steadily increased in Alabama, as shown in figure 1. The early years of the program saw less than 100,000 acres enrolled; however, this threshold has been surpassed every year since 2017. Most recently, almost 250,000 acres were enrolled for 2022. Even with the steep increases seen in enrolled acres, there is still plenty of uncovered pasture acreage in the state. According to the 2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture, there were almost 2.3 million acres of pastureland in Alabama, excluding woodland pastured. Thus, only about 10% of the total pastureland is enrolled in PRF, providing opportunities for producers to consider this risk management strategy.

Premiums for purchasing PRF coverage are subsidized by the federal government. Subsidies range between 51% and 59% of the overall premium, depending on the coverage level chosen. Given this high level of support, the actual producer-paid premiums in Alabama have been less than indemnities paid on eligible policies in all but two of the last 11 years. Figure 2 shows the producer-paid premiums, i.e., after premium subsidies have been deducted, and the indemnities paid on all policies sold in Alabama from 2011 to 2022. The only two years when indemnities did not exceed premiums paid by producers was in 2013 and 2018, and that was on average by less than a dollar per acre. In eight of the other nine years, the average dollar per acre indemnity exceeded the average producer-paid premium by over $6 per acre (excluding 2016 when it was over $25 per acre).

THE BASICS OF PRF INSURANCE PRF is based on a grid system throughout the country where rainfall is measured using the four closest weather stations to the selected grid. Unlike other USDA programs that use the drought monitor, the PRF insurance program determines covered losses based on a selected guarantee that ranges from 70-90% of the historical average precipitation from 1948. This is based on a selected two-consecutive-month coverage interval that is chosen by the producer. When the average rainfall index for the two-month period falls below the guarantee then a payment is triggered. The guarantee and coverage period are just two of the many different options that are offered to producers to customize the policy to what best suits their individual operation.

Producers also choose the number of acres to insure, with no set minimum and no requirement to insure all acres. The intended use needs to also be declared as either haying or grazing. A productivity factor is also chosen so that producers can cover

Similar to other federal crop insurance programs, PRF can only be purchased through an approved insurance provider (AIP) and crop insurance agent. One can find an AIP and crop insurance agent at the RMA website: https://public.rma.usda. gov/AipListing/InsuranceProviders. In 2022, the USDA moved the deadline to enroll in PRF from Nov. 15 to Dec. 1. It is not known what the deadline will be for 2023 enrollment. Additional and updated information on the PRF program can also be found on the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) website at: https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/ farming/forage-risk-management-subsidized-insurance-as-a-strategy/.

October/November 2022

13

FEEDING FACTS

HEIFER DEVELOPMENT FROM WEANING TO BREEDING B Y J I M M Y PA R K E R With today’s economic and environmental factors, we have seen or are seeing a significant selloff of the cow herd nationally and we should see a significant build back within the next couple of years. This makes heifer development a topic that should be discussed. Growing heifers correctly is a key to long term success in a normal cow herd cycle and as we trend toward restocking the brood cow herd, it becomes even more critical.

So, what is meant by the term heifer development? It refers to growing heifers from weaning until at least breeding but more often until they are bred back after having their first calf. Many things

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Cooperative Farming News

during that period are important and will help determine how productive they will be as mature cows and how long they stay in the cow herd. It does cost a significant amount to raise a heifer so doing the small things to maximize their longevity makes a great deal of sense.

A heifer needs to be 65 to 70% of her mature weight at breeding and at least 85% of mature weight at calving. They have to be grown at a healthy rate to achieve these goals without getting the heifer too fat or not supplying enough nutrients to cause calving issues.

The easiest way to formulate a plan is to do

”

A HEIFER NEEDS TO BE 65 TO 70% OF HER MATURE WEIGHT AT BREEDING AND AT LEAST 85% OF MATURE WEIGHT AT CALVING.

the math backward. Decide when the heifers need to calve and realize that they need to be 85% of their mature weight at that time. That would be 1,020 pounds if the mature weight is 1,200. Then back up 9 or 10 months and realize that they need to weigh 70% of mature weight at that point. That would be 840 pounds if the mature weight is 1,200 pounds. Now that those figures are in mind, weaning weight and how many days until breeding and calving are added to the equation.

If we assume that heifers will be weaned at 7 months and weigh 500 pounds, and we want them to calve at 2 years old, then we have about 7 months to get them to a breeding weight and about 10 more months to get them to a calving weight. Seven months is approximately 200 and 10 days to get those heifers from 500 pounds to a breeding weight of 840 pounds. So basically, the heifers need to gain 1 and 1/2 pounds each day to reach that target. That can be done on good, winter annual grasses or by supplementing with good feeds such as CPC Developer at a low rate of 7 to 10 pounds of feed per head per day. Whichever development program is used, the heifers need to be monitored so they don’t get too fat while gaining enough weight to reach the target.

Once the heifers are exposed or bred, you have almost 10 months to get them to a weight where they are capable of calving successfully. We calculated that they should weigh 840 pounds at breeding and 1,020 at calving. This means they need to gain another 200 pounds in just under 300 days. That is fairly easy to do given decent forages. Supplementation can be needed during times of cold weather or lack of quality forages. Stimu-lyx Tubs, Formax Brood Cow or CPC Developer would be a good fit at low rate when feed is needed. Feeding at a heavier rate earlier in this period and a lighter rate as calving approaches is probably a good idea if the heifers were fed heavily enough early on.

There are other factors that are also important.

General health decisions such as using dewormers

and vaccines should be discussed with your veterinarian. A good mineral should be provided at all times.

Having access to a good mineral will boost the heifer’s immune system and growth rate. It can be important in bone formation and so many other ways.

One of the often-overlooked management decisions that influence the longevity of the heifer is how she is managed after calving. If possible, the first-calf heifers need to be managed as a group away from the mature cow herd. The younger, lighter-weight first-calf heifers will get pushed aside and will not get to hay or feed as well as they could if they are managed separately. Doing this will significantly increase the success rate of getting those heifers bred back for a second calf in a timely manner.

If heifers are fed correctly to the right target weights, are monitored to prevent too much fat, given the animal health procedures needed, and the correct vitamins and minerals, they will likely calve on time and have a really good chance to make productive cows with a long life expectancy. If any of the main factors are ignored, the chance of early culling goes up considerably and recouping the cost of raising the heifer is far less likely. Treat these heifers like they are your future, and your future will likely be a lot brighter. Good, young cows should be very valuable as the process of replacing all the cattle culled this year begins.

October/November 2022

15

FROM THE STATE VET'S OFFICE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANAPLASMOSIS DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTS

BY D R . T O N Y F R A Z I E R Obviously, what you should know about anaplasmosis may vary depending on your proximity to the cattle business. I believe that if you are a cattle producer, you should have a basic understanding of the disease. If you are pretty much on the other end of the spectrum and only eat beef, you should know that anaplasmosis is not a food safety issue. It can infect some wild ruminants, but generally does not cause disease.

If you do not have cows but have friends

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Cooperative Farming News

who own cattle, I suggest you go ahead and read the article. That way, when your cattle-producing friends make some statement as, “I have had a few abortions in my cow herd and the normal causes have all come up negative.”

Then you can interject, “Have you tested for anaplasmosis?”

When they raise their eyebrows and ask how you know that, you just smile and say, “Well, I read Dr. Frazier’s articles. Don’t you?”

Anaplasmosis marginale is a special kind of bacteria known as a rickettsia. Rickettsia causes human diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. The organism manages to get into the red blood cell, causing significant damage. The number of red blood cells doubles about every 48 hours. As the cells become damaged, the body takes them out of circulation. Eventually, after two to six weeks of this, the body is not able to keep replacing the red cells that are destroyed and the cow becomes anemic. At this point the anemia may become so severe the cow may die within a few days.

Anaplasmosis has been relatively common in many of the Gulf Coastal states for a long time. In the past few years, the disease has become more common in areas of Central and North Alabama. I have friends who have practiced in parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi who tell me that their clients are familiar enough with the disease that they call and say, “Hey Doc, I need you to come out to my place. I’ve got another one of those anaplaz cows.”

Now I will say that a client diagnosing anaplasmosis is not very scientific. But, if the disease is advanced enough, it is likely that someone who has seen this disease would recognize it if it shows up again. In the advanced stages of the disease, cows usually tend to be somewhat aggressive. The textbooks describe these cows as “hyperexcitable.” I like to describe them as trying to get into your back pocket. Along with that, depending on the duration of the disease, their mucous membranes may be a bit yellow or icteric. If you put the behavior and the yellow mucous membranes together in the late summer or fall of the year, chances are good that you may have anaplasmosis. Now I don’t want you diagnosing something like that yourself. If you’ve got a cow that’s sick, you need to put down whatever you are doing and call the veterinarian.

The reason for late summer through fall incidence of the disease is that the main source of transmission from animal to animal is insects, mainly horse flies.

But the disease can also be spread by certain ticks.

The organism can also be spread by using the same needle to vaccinate or treat, dehorning equipment, tattoo pliers, or castrating equipment. The occasional winter outbreak is likely caused by contaminated needles.

One of the aggravating problems with anaplasmosis is the development of carrier animals. Not every cow that gets sick with this disease will develop clinical symptoms like those we just discussed. Some may become infected and just become poor doers. They lose weight and their reproductive system may pretty much shut down. Others may be able to become preg-

nant but lose the calf in the later stages of pregnancy (refer to paragraphs 2-4). Also, bulls may experience infertility. It can be difficult to get it out of a herd once it is introduced.

Back when I was in practice, anaplasmosis did not seem to be terribly prevalent, especially in North Alabama where I began practicing. So, it wasn’t high on the list of causes for cows to abort. We are now seeing an increasing trend of cows that seem reasonably healthy and abort and test positive for anaplasmosis.

We did have several cases detected at our diagnostic labs last year.

A real train wreck that we sometimes hear about occurs when cattle that have never been exposed to the organism are introduced into a herd that has carriers. In such cases, up to 50% of the susceptible cattle may become infected and die. And those that do not die may have an extremely long convalescent period.

If there is any positive aspect of anaplasmosis I guess that it would be that it is treatable, even when the cow seems to have one or two feet in the grave.

If she has three feet in the grave, she probably won’t make it. But you can treat a really sick cow with injectable tetracycline, and they will often respond.

Also, another commonly used method of controlling anaplasmosis is by adding a feed-grade chlortetracycline to the feed or mineral supplements. As you are probably aware, feeding this product will now require a veterinarian to sign a Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) with appropriate dosages. As I mentioned earlier, anemia, from the destruction of infected red blood cells, is what causes all the clinical signs in cattle. Sometimes the blood can be so thin that it looks more like cherry Kool-Aid than blood. Anyway, some cattle may need a blood transfusion along with the tetracycline if their red cell count gets too low.

There is also a vaccine available that can be used in herds that are known to be infected with anaplasmosis. Several years ago, there was a commercial pharmaceutical company that produced the vaccine.

Now the only vaccine available is from a laboratory at Louisiana State University. And while anaplasmosis is not a regulated disease, I have to approve all animal vaccines used in Alabama, so I have approved that vaccine to be used through licensed veterinarians.

So, you now have a working knowledge of anaplasmosis. Many of you reading this article have already had run-ins with the disease. For other cattle producers, it is something you should be familiar with. And if you are ever on the game show "Jeopardy" and the opportunity arises, you won’t hesitate to jump in there and say, “Alex, give me anaplasmosis for $600.”

October/November 2022

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Co-op CORNER YEARS OF SERVICE AND JOINT VENTURE & DIVISION AWARDS 5

Y E A R S

Kevin Bobbitt Cherokee Farmers Cooperative - Piedmont

5

Chuck Hellums Colbert Farmers Cooperative - Tuscumbia

S E R V I C E

Barry Keller Talladega County Exchange - Columbiana

Y E A R S

Timmy Richardson Taleecon Farmers Cooperative - Elmore

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O F

1 5

Ron Motl Madison County Cooperative - Hazel Green

Y E A R S

Blair Shook Tennessee Valley Cooperative, LLC - Elgin

Tom Eunice Central Alabama Farmers Cooperative - Demopolis

Robert Pittman GenCo Farmers Cooperative - West Geneva

20 YEARS

25 YEARS

50 YEARS

Tim Brown Talladega County Exchange - Randolph

Jeff Kinder Clay County Exchange

Wayne Gilliam Tuscaloosa Farmers Cooperative

Cooperative Farming News

Ryan Williams Jay Peanut Farmers Cooperative

A F C

F E E D

A W A R D S

PACESETTER PLAQUES

Top Purina Sales - Blount County Farmers Cooperative: Eric Sanders

G R E E N P O I N T

Top Co-op Sales - GenCo Farmers Cooperative: Robert Pittman

A G

A W A R D S

Crop Protection Products Dollars - Tennessee Valley Cooperative, LLC: Reggie Shook

Crop Protection Products Growth - Morgan Farmers Cooperative: Bradley Hopkins (Pictured with GreenPoint President Jeff Blair)

Winfield United Proprietary Growth - Marshall Farmers Cooperative: Brian Keith

Pro Products Volume - Tennessee Valley Cooperative, LLC: Jeff Wales

Pro Products Growth - Talladega County Exchange: Chris Elliott

Pro Products Sales & Support - Madison County Cooperative: Brandon Amos

October/November 2022

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Seed Volume - Tennessee Valley Cooperative, LLC: Austin White (Pictured with GreenPoint President Jeff Blair)

Seed Growth - Dekalb Farmers Cooperative: Jason Plunkett (Pictured with GreenPoint President Jeff Blair)

Seed Largest Percent Increase - Central Alabama Farmers Co-op: Thomas Reeves and Tim Wood (Pictured with GreenPoint President Jeff Blair)

Crop Nutrients Volume - Tennessee Valley Cooperative, LLC: Britt Christopher (Pictured with GreenPoint CN Director Chris Carter)

Crop Nutrients Growth - Blount County Farmers Cooperative: Eric Sanders

Crop Nutrients Sales & Support - Madison County Cooperative: Brandon Amos

F A I T H W A Y

A L L I A N C E

Largest Dollar Growth - Marshall Farmers Cooperative: Brian Keith

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Cooperative Farming News

A W A R D S

Largest Percent Growth - Morgan Farmers Cooperative: Jason Pealor (Pictured with Faithway Alliance Regional Sales Director Byron Smith)

S O U T H F R E S H

Highest Co-op Sales - Atmore Farmers Cooperative: Todd Booker

J O H N

D E E R E

A W A R D

BioLogic Customer Service - Taleecon Farmers Cooperative: Scott Hartley

BONNIE

PLANTS

Largest Percent Increase - Goshen Farmers Cooperative: Danny Dewrell

F I N A N C I A L

Highest Loan Volume - Madison County Cooperative: Brandon Amos

B I O L O G I C

A W A R D S

A W A R D S

Highest Growth Percentage - Farmers Cooperative, Inc.: Todd Lawrence

E L I

M O O R E

A A A

AWA R D

Donna Soloman (Pictured with Eli Moore)

AWARD

Spring Plant Sale - Elberta Farmers Cooperative: Justin Brown

October/November 2022

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WHAT’S THE POINT WITH GREENPOINT AG

VARIETY SELECTION A CRITICAL FACTOR TO NEXT SEASON'S HARVEST

BY M A R K E . J O H N S O N As harvest progresses, growers are beginning to think about variety selections for next season. Variety selection is a management decision that is critical to next season’s harvest. In all crops, yield potential is set when variety selection is made. Agronomic and pest management practices can maintain the genetic yield potential of a variety by minimizing limiting factors, but they cannot increase it. This places a premium on variety selection and on the way in which it is done. “Variety selection is not about identifying which lines did best over the past year – it is about predicting which lines will do best in the future,” says Jim Rouse, Director of Agriculture at Iowa State University, pointing out the pitfall of only looking at the top of last year’s variety test.

Yield is the result of the interaction between genetic potential and the environment. A variety should be chosen for a field because it has the genetic characteristics to perform well given the environment in that field. While yield is always the ultimate goal,

selecting a variety from a trial based solely on yield without regard to the environmental conditions in which it grew may not result in a good performance in the future. Contrary to the claims of local meteorologists, predicting rainfall patterns and temperatures for the coming growing season is unattainable.

But, when attempting to predict growing conditions for the upcoming year, growers know a great deal about the environment in which their crops will develop. A grower knows soil characteristics, fertility levels, crop history, and the past incidence of pests and pathogens.

When choosing a variety, the first criteria should be availability. Management plans based on varieties in short supply usually end up including poorly adapted varieties added at the last minute. The second decision should be which, if any, GM traits are needed.

The benefits of these traits are great if they eliminate a pest that is a limiting factor or fit into a weed control system already in place. The third criteria are the

Variety selection is not about identifying which lines did best over the past year – it is about predicting which lines will do best in the future.

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Cooperative Farming News

defensive traits needed to minimize limiting factors.

These traits include disease resistance, insect resistance, nematode resistance, lodging and shattering potential, fallout in cotton, and tolerance to stress.

While things such as disease resistance or fallout are not normally considered before yield potential, consider that a variety will not be able to reach its yield potential if overwhelmed by a limiting factor.

The last and most discussed criteria in variety selection is yield potential. Traditionally, the standard for proving a variety has been three years, but three years is now the life span of many varieties. With genetic advancements occurring in varieties and hybrids at an unprecedented pace, it is now necessary to evaluate and select varieties in a short period of time.

So, how do we go about “predicting which lines will do well in the future” when faced with limited years to gather data? To choose a variety that will perform in an unknown environment: 1. Look at performance data across as many environments as possible.

2. Choose the variety that performs well in all of them.

3. When faced with limited years, increase the number of locations looked at each year.

Many sources of information on yield performance are available from universities, extension agencies, seed companies and growers – all of these need to be considered. Though data from trials with similar limiting factors to your own is beneficial, looking at locations with a different set of limiting factors is just as important because good performance in both shows stability in variety performance.

It is very important to know the source of information used, so you can be aware of the type of environment the trial was conducted in and the data quality.

This is easy with university and extension data; they

usually publish agronomic and trial quality with the results. It can be more difficult with seed company data, but trials conducted on farm by seed companies can provide practical information and are important to consider. A good practice to ensure quality information is to visit trial locations during the growing season.

GreenPoint Ag has conducted variety trials on corn, cotton, soybeans, and wheat during the 2022 growing season in many parts of the state. Reach out to your local Co-op for information on trials and yield results.

The following websites provide variety information: ALABAMA: https://aaes.auburn.edu/blog/category/farming/ crop-production/major-row-crops/cotton/ https://aaes.auburn.edu/blog/category/farming/ crop-production/major-row-crops/corn/ https://aaes.auburn.edu/blog/category/farming/ crop-production/major-row-crops/soybeans/ GEORGIA: http://www.swvt.uga.edu/ TENNESSEE: https://search.utcrops.com/ MISSISSIPPI: http://extension.msstate.edu/agriculture/crops KENTUCKY: http://graincrops.ca.uky.edu/ ARKANSAS: https://aaes.uada.edu/variety-testing/

October/November 2022 2022 October/November

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FFA SENTINEL

THE ALABAMA FFA GOES TO WASHINGTON

W

hen the 2022-2023 Alabama State FFA Officers were elected in June, they embarked on two months of exciting training and personal growth opportunities. A highlight among these is the annual National FFA Summit for State Officers, which was held in Washington D.C. July 17-21. The event, which brings state officers from all 50 states and Puerto Rico together, focuses on teaching these state leaders how to properly advocate for agriculture. The students begin their weeklong training with National FFA Officers who facilitate training to ensure the officers better understand how government affects agriculture and education in the United States. Officers are then given the opportunity to meet with their congressmen and senators to discuss important topics.

The Alabama FFA State Officers enjoyed seeing historic sites such as the U.S. Capitol while visiting D.C.

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Cooperative Farming News

The Alabama FFA Officers had the honor to meet with Congressman Barry Moore, as well as representatives of Senators Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville.

The officers began by delivering an update on exciting things going on back in Alabama such as changes coming to FFA membership this year and Sweet Grown Alabama. They then took time to learn more about the upcoming Farm Bill which will be revised in 2023. The officers encouraged each office to look for ways to better support agricultural education in the upcoming bill. The officers also took the time to educate and encourage each legislator to join the recently formed bipartisan FFA Caucus which seeks to bridge the gap between legislators and agricultural education. Congressman Moore, as a former FFA member, is a proud member of the caucus and also took time to address the over 300 FFA members in attendance.

After a long day of visits, the officers are afforded the chance to further practice what they have learned as they begin working on delegate business that will be presented at the National FFA Convention in October. Officers serve on committees to review proposals that have been submitted from across the country, bringing the experience full circle. The officers were also treated to a Q & A session with United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

The Summit is not all work though. Officers were allowed time to explore the many historic sites of D.C. including the Smithsonian Zoo, Museum of American History, Museum of Natural History, and a night tour of the many monuments that make up the National Mall.

Overall, the greatest experience for the Alabama FFA Officers was making memories with their counterparts from across the country. The new friendships made and time of bonding with their teammates will certainly be a highlight from their year of service.

Senator Shelby’s Legislative Assistant Will Brewster took time to discuss key agricultural issues with the state officers.

Mike Albares and Clay Parker took time on behalf of Senator Tuberville to discuss the Farm Bill with officers.

Congressman Barry Moore took time to tell the officers how his time in FFA has influenced his career and how excited he is to be a part of the FFA Caucus.

Officers reflected on the freedoms they enjoy while visiting the many beautiful monuments around DC such as the World War II monument.

October/November 2022

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4-H EXTENSION CORNER

GAME CHANGERS

4-H'ERS ENJOY SUMMER CAMP B Y C A R O LY N D R I N K A R D

4-H Summer Camp 2022 challenged 1,534 campers to “Be a Game Changer!” Using Birmingham’s World Games as inspiration, leaders planned ways for 4-H'ers to connect to the outdoors and to each other with activities that mirrored the popular athletic events enjoyed at the games. Even daily meals carried out the theme.

Edriona Conner (Hale), Laurie Thompson, Charlie Robin Fowler, and Meg Lewis (Tuscaloosa)

Tuscaloosa: Austin Posey

Tuscaloosa: Brycen Turner

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Cooperative Farming News

Starting on June 3rd and ending July 1st, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Alabama 4-H sponsored nine different three-day sessions at the Alabama 4-H Center, located on Lay Lake near Columbiana. For 4-H'ers, camp was a fun opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, try something new, gain self-confidence and build leadership skills.

4-H Camp activities included swimming, canoeing, paddle-boarding, rock wall climbing and hiking. This year, archery was once again available. Five different fun games pitted groups of campers in friendly competitions, which brought lots of laughs.

Madisyn King, Emma Dahl (Perry), Kaylee Eiland, Morgan Armstrong, and Eri'Laijah Bailey (Dallas)

Barbour: Kayakers

Pickens: Brody Detrujillo

Barbour: Bryanna and Garrett Jones

During the nine sessions, more than 94 volunteers assisted the staff. They stayed with the kids in the dorms/cottages, chaperoned during each activity and helped in numerous other ways. They made this camp experience fun and memorable for each child.

“Our 4-H volunteers are so valuable to camp and the overall camp experience, as well,” stated Nancy Alexander, Extension Specialist, 4-H Youth Development.

They were the ‘game changers’ for our 4-H'ers. Our volunteers were AWESOME, just like our staff!”

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The huge campfire on the last night was something all the campers will never forget. The staff performed hilarious skits, while campers sat around the fire, laughing and singing together.

“Everyone always looks forward to summer camp every year!” said Amy Carbone, Environmental Education Manager at the Alabama 4-H Science School.

“We had great weather and the best group of campers!

This year was a blast as always, and we are already planning for next year!”

Session 5: June 15 - 17 (174 campers) Crenshaw, Cleburne, Barbour, Russell, Marion, Calhoun, Franklin, Etowah and Madison

Session 1: June 1 - 3 (177 campers) Lawrence, Montgomery, Tallapoosa, Marengo, Lee, Limestone, Sumter and Blount

Session 6: June 20 - 22 (169 campers) Shelby, Hale, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Bibb, Walker and Wilcox

Session 2: June 6 - 8 (189 campers) Madison, Jefferson, Marshall, Jackson, Conecuh, Greene, Monroe and Escambia

Session 7: June 22 - 24 (153 campers) Clarke, Washington, Choctaw, Henry, Elmore, Dale and Houston

Session 3: June 8 - 10 (159 campers) Randolph, Lauderdale, Autauga, Butler, Lowndes, Dallas, Perry, Baldwin, Mobile, Morgan and Cullman

Session 8: June 27 - 29 (180 campers) Etowah, Cherokee, Pike, Coffee, Geneva, Clay and Covington

Session 4: June 13 - 15 (158 campers) Calhoun, Lamar, Pickens,Talladega, Coosa, Chilton, Dekalb and Colbert

Session 9: June 29 - July 1 (175 campers) Macon, Bullock, Winston, St. Clair, Cullman and Chambers

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Cooperative Farming News

PALS

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

STUDENTS HEAR CLEAN CAMPUS MESSAGE

BY JA M I E M I T C H E L L

Trinity Presbyterian School

Several Montgomery County students recently heard the Clean Campus message and learned about how litter negatively impacts their community. Within a week of each other, I spoke at both Trinity Presbyterian School and Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School (FAAM). Trinity has participated in the program for several years, but this is Forest Avenue’s first year to participate.

Each year, the third-graders at Trinity participate in a “Market Day” assignment. The students collect “star bucks” throughout the semester, then have a market day where they bring items or goodies to sell and purchase using their star bucks. The third-grade teachers have encouraged the students to consider bringing items that are made from recycled materials from home such as Christmas ornaments made from old light bulbs or birdfeeders made from plastic bottles. On the day I visited, I presented the normal Clean Campus material but made a special emphasis on how to turn trash into treasure! The students all had some wonderful ideas and had a very successful market day!

The fourth-grade students at FAAM also heard the Clean Campus message, but their focus for my visit was to encourage the students to participate in our Clean Campus Annual Poster Contest. We talked all about littering, recycling and reusing, and then we spent some time talking about ideas for the poster contest and the wonderful prizes they could win.

The next week, I picked up a stack of posters from their students and even had two winners come from the school! The fourth-graders also participated in a campus cleanup of their own with bags provided by Alabama PALS. Great job, FAAM Students!

We are so happy to have both Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School and Trinity Presbyterian School as participants in the Clean Campus Program!

If a school near you would like to join or rejoin the program, have them visit www.alpals.org to learn more! They may also call or email to schedule a speaking session at (334) 263-7737 or jamie@alpals. org. Schools are always a great place to start with litter prevention and education. Alabama PALS programs are free to schools thanks to our state partnerships and corporate sponsors.

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School

October/November 2022

29

OUTDOOR LOGIC WITH BIOLOGIC

CAN YOU BE SCENT-FREE TO A DEER? A WHITETAIL "NOSE"

BY T O D D A M E N R U D

Their sense of smell plays a role in all aspects of a whitetail’s life. It is so strong and sensitive that is difficult for most of us to understand. Most hunters don’t go far enough to battle this “olfactory offense.” (Photo Credit: Paul Tessier)

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Cooperative Farming News

W

e all know a whitetail’s sense of smell is a force to be reckoned with. To an “olfactory offense” so strong, it’s probably impossible to be “totally” scentfree. However, it’s a proven fact that it is possible to reduce odors to minuscule, trace levels that even mature bucks will tolerate in close quarters. Are you doing enough to reduce these alien aromas so you can get closer to whitetails? Do whitetails think you stink? Follow these steps to have more close encounters with deer.

1) It all starts with washing your clothes in a quality hunter’s detergent. Besides our body, we need to be concerned with everything else we’re bringing into the woods, our clothes being one of the most important.

Some feel they must also treat their clothes with a product to remove the UV from the garment. There is no need if you use a “hunter’s clothing wash” like Scent Killer Gold Laundry Detergent because it doesn’t contain optical brightening agents (OBAs), or fluorescent brightening agents (FBAs). So besides removing all UV from the garment, it doesn’t add any back. If you are a numbskull and wash your deer hunting clothes in Tide or Gain, you will add back the brighteners just like most commercial detergents do.

2) Dry your clothes outside if possible. If you live next to a gas station or greasy restaurant you’re defeating the purpose, or if it’s late season and cold temperatures would freeze them solid, it’s OK to use your dryer. If you do, remove all fabric softener bars prior to drying. Before storing them, it may be a good idea to let them “air-out” outside, too, if possible.

3) Once your clothes are dry, store them in a container so no odors have the possibility of contacting them. Make sure the clothes are totally dry! If there is any moisture in them once they’re sealed in the container, you will begin a chemical reaction and odors will start to develop. This is the same reason it is best NOT to include leaves, dirt, pine boughs, or other natural items in the container with your clothes. Even with our “limited human sense of smell,” after one week in the container the difference in the smell of fresh pine boughs compared to the ones you had sealed in your container will be obvious. Instead, insert a Scent Killer No-Zone Tote Tamer in with your clothes. It will fight and absorb odor and moisture in the container.

4) Shower in Scent Killer Body Wash & Shampoo and don’t forget unscented deodorant. In nearly all regions of the whitetails’ territory we (humans) are their major predator, so “human scent” is the most feared odor they can experience. Reducing these odors by showering is extremely important.

Brush your teeth! Yes, most toothpaste has a minty odor, but it’s better than the bad breath of a human carnivore.

Do not pass through where any odors may cling to you or your clothing. If you’re going out for a morning hunt, shower directly before. If I come in to eat lunch, I will remove all hunting clothing before I enter any building and shower again before heading back afield. Try to plan ahead – make sure you have your vehicle filled with gas and eat any meals prior to showering and brushing your teeth. In addition, be picky about what you eat directly before you head out. Onions, peanut butter, garlic … if you can smell it, guess who smells it 1,000 times better than you?

5) Don’t put your hunting clothes on until you get to your hunting area. In fact, don’t even remove them from their protective container until then. It’s amazing how many hunters put on their hunting boots at home and then stop to fill up with gas, or they put on their hunting clothes and stop at a café for breakfast … then they proceed to try and fool a nose as sophisticated as a bloodhound. These hunters usually have a vacant trophy wall and an empty freezer.

If you have a long walk to your ambush site, carry your clothes until you get close to the location to

Do not put your boots or clothing on until you get to your hunting location. In fact, if you have a long walk to your ambush site you may want to carry your clothes until you get close to avoid sweating. Rubber-bottomed boots will help to reduce scent transfer on the trail. (Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud)

October/November 2022 2022 October/November

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avoid sweating in them. Sweating not only causes more odors, but it’s a sure way to become cold.

6) Treat your boots and clothing with a quality scent elimination spray like Scent Killer Gold. Spray your clothing the day before and allow the spray to dry into your clothing and then return your clothes to their container. Scent Killer Spray molecules adhere to odor molecules making them too heavy to form a gas. Spray down each layer of your clothing, concentrating on your high sweat areas. With the spray dried into your clothing, it seems to me like I’m wearing a “scent elimination suit.”

I believe in this product so strongly that I would list it in my top two most important hunting tools. I must have my bow, and I must have my Scent Killer Gold. I make mistakes Playing the air currents is important, but everyone makes mistakes and whitetails do things you don’t just as often as everyone else and expect. The steps outlined in this article will help protect you if either happens. Here’s the author with a I’ve seen this product protect me buck that was directly downwind of him for several minutes before he was able to take the shot.

(Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud) countless times.

7) Pay close attention to this is important. Every time you touch an object it’s “scent-transfer.” We have taken care like you’re pushing your smell into it. So even small of the greater share of smells we may carry into the things like leaning against a tree, or your pants leg woods on us, but what about the smells we may be brushing against a piece of brush can be all it takes. leaving behind? It’s difficult for us to understand How strong the smell will be and how long it will linmuch of this because of our limited olfactory sense ger will depend on temperature, humidity and numer(when compared to most big game animals), but ous other factors, but why telegraph your presence to the herd? Wear rubber-bottomed boots and don’t touch anything with your bare hands. Pay attention and be sneaky.

8) When the hunting season is over for the year, where do you store your tree stands and other gear?

Hopefully you don’t amass them in your garage or other area where foreign odors will perforate and cling to the objects. Just think; during the winter when you start your car to warm it up before you take it somewhere, where do you imagine the exhaust fumes are collecting? I promise you a whitetail will smell that!

Pay attention to this detail and store your equipment in a spot where minimal odors will be able to contact them. An outdoor shed or even covered by a tarp under an awning is a good place to store tree stands.

The above tasks are ways we can prevent odors from entering the whitetail woods. We still must learn all that we can about playing the wind and thermal Scent elimination sprays like Scent Killer Gold work when applied like you see current. But when you combine playing the air curhere, but actually work best when you treat your clothing and then let it dry-in rents and the plan above, I promise you will improve ahead of the hunt. It can last for days dried into your clothing.

(Photo Credit: Todd Amenrud) at closing the distance on deer.

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SHRIMP AND GRITS Ingredients: 4 cups water 1 Tablespoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 cup stone-ground grits 3 Tablespoons butter 2 cups white cheddar cheese, shredded 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/ 2 cup thick-cut bacon (alternatives: tasso ham or chorizo) 1/4 cup onion, diced 1/2 green bell pepper, diced 1 large garlic clove, minced 1 Tablespoon white wine 1 1/2 cups heavy cream Shrimp stock, if needed to loosen gravy 1/2 cup scallions, sliced Kosher salt and pepper to taste Directions: Bring water, salt and pepper to a boil. Add the grits, stir and reduce heat to a simmer. Add cheese and stir until incorporated. Don’t put the cheese into the grits until you are about to serve them.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add tasso, chorizo or bacon until crispy. Add onion, green pepper and garlic and cook until translucent. Deglaze with the white wine. Add shrimp and sauté for about 45 seconds or until pink. Slowly add the cream. Loosen if the gravy looks too thick.

Season with salt and pepper.

Divide the grits among 8 bowls, then top with the shrimp mixture. Top with scallions and serve.

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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FARMING YOUR FOREST

TIMBER HARVESTING OPTIONS FOR HARDWOODS B Y B I L LY RY E

INTRODUCTION Many landowners absolutely love their hardwoods. These trees provide their owners with beautiful landscapes, habitat for various forms of wildlife, and timber sale revenue to assist with future forest management. Some of these landowners are willing to forego the higher return on investment that pine plantations yield just to enjoy the benefits provided by hardwoods. However, most landowners also want to manage their hardwoods in a responsible manner to encourage sustainability. To help landowners reach their objectives for the property, all timber harvests should be orchestrated by the overall forest management plan prepared by a Registered Forester.

Before describing the different types of harvests implemented by foresters, it is important for landowners to have a basic knowledge of how forests work and some of the criteria used to compare timber investments. Below is a brief explanation of forest ecology and timber investment analysis.

to reach the ground which freed the sprouts, seeds, and seedlings already in place to race each other to occupy the canopy of the next forest. Over time, the forests would improve in both the quality and quantity of wood as the trees with the best genetics would out-compete the others for valuable sunlight, water, and nutrients.

FOREST ECOLOGY Forests in the South tend to occur naturally in even-age stands. An even-age stand is one where most of the trees in the upper canopy are of the same or nearly the same age. Prior to the arrival of man, even-aged stands were established when natural disturbances such as wildfires, tornadoes, floods, or hurricanes would destroy the trees in the upper canopy. These disturbances allowed sunlight 34

Cooperative Farming News

The EF5 tornado that hit Hackleburg in 2011 removed the canopy of this forest and allowed the next generation to become established.

TIMBER INVESTMENT ANALYSIS Even those landowners who are willing to accept the lower return on investment provided by hardwoods don’t want to lose money managing them. Economists have several methods of measuring the economic rate of return for long-term investments like hardwood management. The two most common investment criteria include Net Present Value and Internal Rate of Return. The time value of money is a basic concept in each of these methods of comparison. In short, a dollar today is worth more than a dollar tomorrow.

Therefore, the sooner a landowner receives significant income from a harvest, the higher the rate of return.

Since hardwoods reach their economic maturity at a later stage than pines, their return on investment is usually much lower. This makes the proper management of hardwoods more challenging.

INTERMEDIATE (SELECTIVE) HARVESTS 1) Diameter limit. Using this method of harvesting, a pre-determined diameter size is selected and only those trees equal to or larger than this size are removed. The intent of many landowners using this method of harvest is to remove the larger or older trees and allow the smaller or younger trees to grow and mature. Unfortunately, the trees that are larger are not necessarily older and often the smaller trees present in the forest are either undesirable species that grow well in the shade or they are genetically inferior to the larger trees. This type of harvest is known to foresters as a “high-grade” and will diminish the forest’s ability to produce wood in the future.

It is not recommended if timber production is an objective.

Advantages: • Easiest method of select harvest to administer.

• Yields the highest revenue of the select harvest methods.

Disadvantages: • Can result in a “high-grade” which reduces future timber production and revenue.

• As with all select harvests, damage will occur to residual stems.

Even though hardwoods grow slower than pines, they can still yield an acceptable return on investment if properly managed.

METHODS OF HARVESTS Once the landowner has a basic understanding of these two concepts, they can better grasp the various harvesting methods recommended by foresters. In general, most harvest types fall into one of two categories: intermediate and final. Intermediate harvests are often known as selective harvests and are conducted prior to the final harvest. The final harvest is conducted at the end of the life cycle of the forest stand (often referred to as rotation) and sets the stage for the regeneration of the next stand. Below is a brief description of some of the harvesting methods implemented for hardwoods on private forestlands in the Mid-South and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

This is an example of a diameter-limit harvest. The larger trees were removed with the misguided notion that they were older. Instead, the trees with the best genetics were removed which diminishes the ability of this forest to produce wood in the future.

2) Timber Stand Improvement. Using this method of harvest, trees that are smaller, damaged, diseased, or of undesirable species are removed and the more desirable trees are retained. Using this method, the resources necessary for tree growth are October/November 2022

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focused on the desirable trees and the rate of return on investment should be increased. Unfortunately, due to the poor quality and low volume of the wood being removed, this type of harvesting method is usually unattractive to most timber buyers. For this reason, TSI is often limited to either very large tracts of timber or large landowners who will serve as repeat customers for the timber buyers.

Advantages: • Improved timber production and return on investment.

• Relatively easy to administer.

Disadvantages: • Harvest volumes and quality may be so low that buyers are not interested.

• Higher value trees will be damaged during harvest.

3) Combination. To avoid the disadvantages of the methods mentioned above, many foresters choose to implement a combination of select harvesting methods. Using the combination method, a forester will typically mark enough valuable trees to attract a timber buyer while removing some of the undesirable species or poor-quality trees so that the forest will improve in the future. The trees selected for removal will include trees from different size groups and product classifications.

Advantages: • Enough value to attract timber buyers.

• Results in more future growth and revenue when compared to a diameter-limit harvest.

Disadvantages: • Difficult to administer.

• Will not improve future growth and revenue as much as a TSI.

FINAL HARVESTS 1) Merchantable Clear Cut. Using this method of harvest, all the trees of merchantable (sellable) size are removed during a single harvesting event. The timber purchaser harvests all the timber which they think that they can harvest and re-sell at a profit.

Merchantable clear cuts imitate natural disturbances such as a strong wind event or wildfire. From this standpoint, it may be considered the most natural method of establishing the next stand. This is the most common harvest method in the Southeast.

Advantages: • Generates the most revenue of any of the harvesting options.

• Facilitates even aged management of the next stand.

• If converted to pine, this method of harvest facilitates increasing internal rate of return by at least a factor of 2 on most sites.

Disadvantages: • Is often unsightly.

• Results in a long period of time before realizing significant timber sale revenue.

Even when properly implemented, some residual trees will be damaged during a select harvest. Fortunately, this sale was conducted by a Registered Forester and these damaged "turn trees" were removed upon the completion of harvesting in this area.

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Cooperative Farming News

2) Silvicultural Clear Cut. Unlike a merchantable clear cut, all woody material is harvested. The only practical approach for utilizing this method is a whole-tree chipping harvest. When using this method, all the merchantable wood is harvested and sold while the woody debris generated from the harvest and the wood of pre-merchantable-sized timber (too small to sell) is chipped and blown into a trailer. The trailers containing the chips are then hauled to an area mill where it is burned in the boiler to generate electricity or used to make charcoal. The landowner is normally paid for the merchantable timber but is paid very little, if any, for the wood chips.

Advantages: • Facilitates easier hand planting of pine or change in land use such as conversion to pasture or subdivisions.

• Improves habitat for deer and turkey. Followed up by biannual burning, this technique will maintain an “early successional” habitat which is beneficial to most game species.

Disadvantages: • Limited number of harvesters with this equipment available.

• The logger normally must subsidize the chipping portion of the harvesting by lowering the stumpage paid for merchantable timber to the landowner.

3) Group Selection. Foresters implement this method of even-aged harvesting to create an uneven-aged forest. Typically, small groups of trees are removed to establish an even-aged stand. The small harvest areas may be planted or allowed to naturally regenerate. Group sizes and locations depend on landowner objectives. Some landowners use this method to harvest a certain portion of their property at one time (example: 1/5 of total acreage in each harvest). Due to certain “scales of economies,” this type of method is typically implemented on large properties.

tended to stimulate the growth and seed production of the remaining trees, the second harvest is designed to provide the needed amount of sunlight for the newly germinated seeds, and the final harvest is conducted to remove the competition of the overstory from the desirable seedlings which are now well established.

Advantages: • Facilitates regeneration of a desirable species (particularly oaks).

• When completed, the total harvest revenue should be relatively high.

Disadvantages: • Loss of some of the most valuable trees through windthrow and lightning damage.

• Opportunity cost vs. commercial clearcut.

By understanding the methods of harvest available for private landowners in the Mid-South, landowners are more likely to reach their objectives for their hardwoods. A basic understanding of forest ecology and timber investment analysis can help the landowner avoid costly mistakes associated with improper hardwood timber harvests.

Advantages: • Even though this harvest type will result in an even-aged stand, it is a method of creating an un-even-aged forest.

• Multiple harvests spread out timber sale revenue over a longer period.

• Improved wildlife habitat.

Disadvantages: • Higher sale administration costs.

• Opportunity costs compared to selling all the timber in one sale.

4) Shelterwood Harvest. The shelterwood method of harvest is designed to encourage the natural establishment of a desirable species. It is most often implemented in oak regeneration. Using this method of harvest, the canopy or upper portion of the forest is removed over a series of harvests. The length of time between the harvests is determined by the target species and the stocking rate of the trees providing the seeds. The first harvest is in-

This one tree has a financial value that is higher than an entire acre of timber on most properties in the Mid-South. A proper understanding of harvesting methods allowed this landowner to reach his objectives for these hardwoods.

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SHEPHERDING OUTDOORS

WILDCATS

A

B Y WA LT M E R R E L L

s a young dad, I worried as to whether I met with my children’s approval. That’s not to say that I wanted to be their “friend.” No, on the contrary, I always made it clear that I was a parent first, but I still wanted the girls to have a good time when we did things together. I wanted to give good advice. I wanted

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Cooperative Farming News

to give great softball swing instruction. I wanted to always make sure they saw a deer in the green field when we went hunting. I wanted to … well, you get the idea.

The fear, if I am being honest, was that if they were bored with the expedition, they would then become bored with me, too.

Thankfully, time promoted maturity in my

parenting, and now I rarely find myself worrying fiery orange circles of the eye like parachutes catchabout whether my children approve of the expedition. ing the hot air. In my groggy state, standing over the In fact, just last night, I told Cape that Travis Martin hot eye seemed more sensible than actually putting (@Martin Homestead on Facebook) and I are planon clothes … so, slowly, I rotated from my left to my ning an adventure down the Tombigbee River. We right, like a weenie roaster at the truck stop, trying to plan to take Cape and Anna, Travis’ daughter, with us. warm my entire body off the stove. Each time I rotatThey are both the same age and have been friends ed past the small kitchen window that sat over the for most of their lives. Whether Cape has the grandaluminum sink, I fixed my gaze out into the darkness est of times on the Tombigbee is not a concern … of the November morning. The moon was D-shaped whether she learns something from the experience … and sat low on the horizon, I couldn’t remember if well, that is important to me. it was setting or rising, as it hovered over the pine But, like I said to begin with that was not always trees on the other side of the 40-acre field behind the the case …. house.

Cape is our wild child. She once remarked, “The There’s not enough light for me to see … I thought only day I feel normal is on Halloween.” Of course, to myself. I stepped away from the stove and peered she was four or five at the time, but I’m fairly conharder into the darkness. I was “looking” to see how vinced she was serious. She also had on her Halcold it was … and I could see Jack Frost glistening in loween costume … she was dressed as a wild Indian the moonlight grass across the field. “This ought to (with a bathmat substitute for a bear rug cloak) and be a good morning ….” The red needle on the songbird her sister, a cave woman, thermometer hanging outside complete with chicken bones the kitchen window sat on 27 in her hair. “That’s my girl … degrees. Turning the stove off, that’s what normal is in her I muttered to myself, “Let’s Cape is our wild child. She once reworld,” I thought to myself roll.” Then I eased into the girls' marked, “The only day I feel normal – bathmats, feathers and bedroom. is on Halloween.” Of course, she was chicken bones, she gets that Cape and Bay were piled up four or five at the time, but I’m fairly from her Momma. in a bundle under three generconvinced she was serious. She also had I must confess though ations' worth of quilts and old that it was her wild side, outelectric blankets. How they on her Halloween costume … she was of-the-box methodology that slept in such a rat’s nest of dressed as a wild Indian (with a bathhelped me understand and tangled arms and twisted legs mat substitute for a bear rug cloak) learn that meeting my chilwas beyond me. and her sister, a cave woman, complete dren’s expectations shouldn’t “Cape.” Shake, shake, be a primary objective. In shake. “Cape.” Poke, poke, with chicken bones in her hair. fact, she helped me realize poke. that my fears were inhibiting “Unnnuh. Leab me lone.” the girls’ growth … and it all Apparently, five-year-olds twist happened one fateful midday hunt in Pickens County, their “v’s” and “b’s” in the predawn sleepiness of a Alabama. hunting trip. “Cape, we gotta get up.” Shake, shake, I had planned to get up early and go sit in what shake … kiss on the cheek. we called “The Bottoms” with the hope of catching a She rolled over and turned her back to me. “Unlate rut bruiser buck cruising through the hardwood nnuh. Don’t wanna go.” By now, my feet were chilled timber. My alarm went off at 5 a.m. and the heat in through and through, and whatever had remained the old farmhouse was working overtime trying to of the warmth from the stove eye had evaporated. warm the drafty house. I felt the chill on my feet as Honestly, I didn’t need much discouragement on the they met the hardwood floors, and a shiver ran up crispy cold Pickens County morning … so I crawled my legs. Quickly, I slid into my long johns and tiptoed back into the bed and wrestled a few covers away into the kitchen. Hannah shuffled a bit in the bed as from Hannah.

I tried not to wake her, but the cold got to her, so she Now, I am certain that the biggest buck I would grabbed a big armful of the covers from my side of have ever seen in my life strolled through The Botthe bed and double wrapped. toms that morning … but we weren’t there. I was Standing in the kitchen, the electric eye on that snuggled up cozily to my wife … and slept good for old stove felt good as the heat rolled up my chest and another hour and a half. The trade was a good one, around my face and ears. My hands cupped over the too … we sat on the back porch on the brisk NovemOctober/November 2022

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ber morn and sipped our coffee and talked of life. She snuggled up under my arm on the swing as I gently nudged us to and fro with my left foot. The coffee’s steam swirled around my face with each sip, and her voice swirled around my ears with each whisper. As a doe and two yearlings crossed the field, Hannah chided me that I was missing out on a good hunt. I simply whispered back in her ear, “I am not missing anything.”

I was quite content.

An hour later, the girls woke … Hannah and I were on our second pot of coffee, and she had breakfast almost ready. Cape stumbled into the kitchen dragging a quilt over her shoulder. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” she asked with righteous indignation. I didn’t even bother to explain, instead opting to scoop her up and give her a good morning hug. “Don’t worry, booger.

We’ll go in a little while.”

“When, Daddy?” came her immediate reply. “After breakfast, we will get dressed and walk down and sit for a while.” She nodded with pouty lips and buried her head into the crease between my neck and shoulder.

I sat her down at the kitchen table and wrapped her in

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Cooperative Farming News

the quilt. She laid her head down on the table … Good thing … I thought to myself, “I would have carried her out of the woods sleeping like a log.”

Breakfast came and went and then the girls worked on a puzzle for an hour or so. I tended to a few things around the farmhouse, and Hannah cleaned the kitchen. I wasn’t in any particular rush, as I had little hope that a midday hunt would lead to anything productive. I secretly hoped I might manage to stall until middle of the afternoon, when we could go sit for the rest of the day. But 'twas not to be … as around 10 a.m., the middle princess marched out on the porch in full camo regalia and declared, “I’m ready!” I chuckled and declared, “Alrighty then! Let me get dressed!”

It was a half-mile walk to the best shooting house in The Bottoms. “Let’s drive the golf cart to the top of the hill since it’s midday,” I suggested. Looking down at her own legs, she glanced back up at me and nodded in affirmation. We’d had walked it before, but even she knew that driving the golf cart was a good offer. But we were careful … “Don’t bang anything against the cart,” I whispered. “Just be careful as you get off.” She did, and did a good job of it, and then we hiked down

the hill and through The Bottoms the last 200 yards.

And, at about 10:45 a.m., we sat quietly in the shooting house … with not even a squirrel in sight.

Twenty minutes later and the five-year-old was fidgety.

I was anxious we wouldn’t even see one deer … this is where the “meeting with expectations” pressure began to mount … I “grunted” a few times and tried the “bleat” too, hoping to attract a rutting buck with the animations that might sound familiar to him. I had already sprayed a little doe pee around the base of the shooting house, but I squirted a little more out of the window for good measure. Ten more minutes passed and nothing.

“Daddy, can I blow on this?” she asked, holding up a predator call she had retrieved from my backpack.

I tried to discourage her because I knew her wailing away on a wounded rabbit call would likely scare everything out of the woods but the ticks and mosquitoes.

She was persistent. “Well, nothing you’ve done has worked,” she reasoned. “So we should try this.” I tried again to explain the difference between the predator call and a buck grunt, but she would have none of it.

“Fine, then,” I finally relented in exhaustion. “Blow on it and let’s see what happens.” She hesitantly blew one little “eeaaakk.” “Like that?” she asked, with a hint of jubilation in her voice. Sensing her joy, I suggested, “You gotta blow harder and more … like a crying baby.”

She drew a deep breath and then blew on that predator call like it was a bugle, and this was Reveille. Her “eeaaakkks” and “wreeeeeenttsss” echoed down the holler … and any buck with a half a lick of sense wasn’t

about to walk anywhere within earshot … but, she was having fun. So, contented again, I just sat and enjoyed the view and the company as Cape serenaded everything within a half mile of Coal Fire Creek. I leaned back and just listened and took it all in.

“Daddy! Daddy!” She stopped blowing and started tapping my leg. “What is it, sugar?” I asked. “What is that?” Her arm extended straight out with her index finger pointing out toward one of the biggest bobcats I had ever seen in all my years. “That, baby, is what you just called up!” He trotted toward us at a pretty good clip … he was coming to eat, and we didn’t have much time. “Do you want to?” Her head was already shaking … “No, you shoot him, Daddy.”

And, so … I did. But that was Cape’s kill. It was her first … because she called him up. That was what mattered … not the shot, but the call. You know what else mattered to her? How much she enjoyed calling with the call. She cared less that we didn’t see a buck … and she still recalls this busted deer hunt as one of the best hunts she ever had.

She learned how to call a bobcat that day, but I learned a lot more about raising little girls.

Sometimes, they shepherd me.

Walt Merrell writes about life, family and faith. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he enjoys time “in the woods or on the water” with his wife Hannah, and their three girls, Bay, Cape and Banks. They also manage an outdoors-based ministry called Shepherding Outdoors. Follow their adventures on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at Shepherding Outdoors. You can email him at shepherdingoutdoors@gmail.com.

October/November 2022

41

COASTAL GROWERS

BY J E S S I E S H O O K

A FARMING LEGACY

Coastal Growers is the first farmer-owned peanut shelling plant in Alabama. Made up of 195 farm families across Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi, this company prides itself on family values and creating a legacy for generations to come.

With 32 years’ experience in the peanut industry, Dirk Lindsey, President and CEO of Coastal Growers, is no stranger to this business model. His experience has taken him to four different states and even out of the country to Africa. After completing a business model just like this in Arkansas, Lindsey brought his experience to Alabama. “I was hired in December 2020, when Coastal Growers had no facility and one employee – me,” Lindsey said. “Fast forward to June 2022 and we have an 87-million-dollar

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Cooperative Farming News

facility with 85 employees.”

This business model is unique because it was created by farmers, for farmers. “We are a grower-owned LLC,” Lindsey said. “It’s the fifth one in the industry primarily owned by growers – in our case 94% grower-owned.”

The goal of Coastal Growers is to give growers the opportunity to make more money for their product, build equity in the company, and secure a future for their farm and families. “In the past, these farmers would sell their crop to traditional shellers,” Lindsey added. “At Coastal Growers, these farmers have invested in this – they have skin in the game.”

Another aspect that is important to the Coastal Growers business model is the work environment. Coastal Growers wants to have the

mindset of the corporate business world while still maintaining a family atmosphere. “We want to build a culture,” Lindsey said. “Even though we are not technically a ‘family-owned’ company – we are. We are owned by 195 families. We want a 20-year-old to come and work for us and stay until retirement; our employees are not just a number.”

The plant is located in Atmore, Alabama. The location was ideal for transportation and not to mention – it is at the center of high-quality peanuts!

“Logistically, it made a lot of sense for servicing our customers,” Lindsey added. “The city of Atmore and the state of Alabama were also outstanding and helped us find the perfect site for the plant.”

Coastal Growers today is on a 60-acre complex and is a 25+ tons an hour shelling plant. With about 60,000 tons of farmer stock storage and 40,000-square-foot cold storage, the facility under roof is right around 400,000 square feet. The Atmore facility also has a sister plant in Tifton, Georgia.

This was an existing plant that signed a long-term contract with Coastal Growers. This sister plant will create shipping advantages for the company.

Coastal Growers is currently working 24 hours a day, four days a week and will increase to 24 hours a day, five days a week. During harvest season, it takes about 45 days for crops to come in and takes 10 months or so to be processed out. “This plant takes an agriculture product and creates an edible product,” Lindsey said. “We are currently selling to 15 countries on three continents.”

2022 will be Coastal Growers’ second harvest

US Senator Tommy Tuberville tours the facility.

in operation and the future is bright for this farmer-owned company. “We don’t know what the company’s future holds but there is an opportunity for expansion,” Linsey added.

For a lot of growers, this company isn’t about them, it’s about their family and the resources to continue farming for generations. “Anything that we can do to keep the American farmer in business and not only surviving, but thriving is something we should all work toward,” Lindsey said.

Coastal Growers has an 87-million-dollar facility and employs 85 people.

October/November 2022

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N&N Meat Co. Jasper, AL

We are a small family-owned farm in Northwest Alabama that has always had a passion for raising quality Hereford cattle. In 2020 we expanded and started offering our beef straight off the farm. It did not take long for us to see we wanted to expand into a full meat market. We specialize in fresh 100% local born, raised and harvested beef and pork. We also have a huge selection of house made fresh brats. We provide our own cattle as well as cattle and hogs from local ranchers in our market. We also have partnered with the American Hereford Association and market Certified Hereford Beef (CHB). Partnering with CHB guarantees all cattle are born, raised, and processed in the USA from ranchers just like us.

No matter if you're looking for dinner tonight or to stock your freezer for a year, N&N can help you! We make sure the quality we put on our family’s table is the same that goes on yours!

1355 Hwy 195 Jasper, AL 35503 205-512-1162 nnlivestock@aol.com Open Tuesday - Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Facebook: N&N Meat Co. 44

Cooperative Farming News

October/November 2022

45

MABE FARM:

All in the Family…

M

BY CAROLYN DRINKARD

ABE Farm is located in Perry County, Alabama, between Uniontown and Newbern. For the past 16 years, Menno and April Clemmer have run this small, peaceful hobby farm mainly for pleasure, rather than profit. Menno manages a catfish farm, while April works as a full-time mom (“sports mom”) to their two active children: Brayden (14) and Elizabeth (12).

The Clemmers named their farm

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Cooperative Farming News

MABE, an acronym using the first letter of each family member’s name: M (Menno); A (April); B (Brayden); and E (Elizabeth). A family who values hard work and serving others runs this farm.

The Clemmers live simply and practice self-sustainability. Each year, they plant a garden to supply vegetables and fruits for their table. They raise their own meat, feeding out one steer and a few hogs for their meat supply. They raise

April spends much time with her gentle, loving Nubians. These beauties, with their large pendulous ears, get along with everybody, including other animals.

They make excellent pets.

backyard chickens that free range and provide eggs for their needs and fertilizer for the fields. The family sells any eggs that they don’t use.

The Clemmers have a heart for the outdoors, and they are passionate about raising their children around farming and animals. MABE Farm is a happy peaceful place, home to a large variety of animals.

For years, Menno Clemmer raised Boer-mixed goats.

When he decided to sell, he got into the sheep business, with a Dorper/Katahdin mixed flock. At one

time, he had over 100 head. After Menno downsized to a more manageable herd of 15 ewes, April and the children took over caring for the sheep. Menno also feeds a small herd of Angus, Brahma and longhorned cows.

When April decided to get into the goat business, she chose Nubians. A close friend raised this breed, so she let April have some babies to start a small flock. Now, six nannies, a billy and many kids jump and play around the farm. April does not milk her goats, even though their milk is high in butterfat and ideal for cheese making. These lop-eared beauties have a gentle nature, along with amazing coloring, which makes them even more appealing.

“These are the sweetest goats,” April stated.

“They are easy to handle and so loving. They make great pets.”

April never misses a chance to bottle feed a baby. She often buys orphaned dairy calves at the Uniontown Stockyard, just so she can bottle-feed them.

“It takes up a lot of time,” she laughed, "but it gives me something to mess with.” She usually sells the bottle babies after they are grown.

April’s bottle babies aren’t limited to calves, lambs or goats. When a baby piglet was born with two front legs bent underneath its body, April not only bottle fed the tiny pig, she also fashioned leg braces out of Popsicle sticks to make the malformed legs bend frontwards. The Clemmers named the tiny creature Peaches. Later, Peaches was able to walk on her own. Peaches still lives on MABE Farm, happily grazing among all the other animals.

April Clemmer has always been passionate about animals. When she decided to get into the goat business, she chose Nubians. A friend let her have some babies to start her own small flock. She now has six nannies, a billy and many babies.

When Peaches, the pig, was born, her front legs were bent beneath her. April fashioned braces from Popsicle sticks to bend the legs forward. April bottle-fed her until she was able to walk on her own. Now, Peaches lives happily on MABE Farm, grazing peacefully among all the other animals.

Free range chickens provide eggs for eating and fertilizer for the fields.

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Elizabeth Clemmer holds a piglet during feeding time with her father, Menno (R).

MABE Farm has two pairs of peacocks. This beautiful male has a solid white mate. The Clemmers hope to raise offspring from the unusual pair.

The Clemmers have 18 other pigs, which they feed for meat. They take one or two to an outside butcher, who prepares the pork for their freezer.

“We know the meat is healthy because we fed the pigs,” April stated. “We know where our food comes from and what these animals ate. We like that, but it’s still hard to see any of our animals go.”

A trip to MABE Farm is an animal lover’s delight.

Besides goats, sheep, cows, pigs and chickens, the Clemmers also have guineas, peacocks and turkeys.

Nine barn cats roam the farm to keep mice out of the feed sacks. Four large Pyrenees dogs guard all the other animals. June (Carter Cash) and Lacey (Eddie) keep an eye on the sheep; A.J. (McCarron) watches the goats; and Saban (Nick) protects the chickens. The Clemmers raise pups from their females and sell them to those wanting farm-raised, well-trained Livestock Guard Dogs (LGDs).

The Clemmers rely on the Greensboro Farmers Co-op for their animal feed. At one time, they cut their own hay, but now they buy from local sources.

This year, they have been blessed with an adequate supply of grass, which has fed most of the foragers.

April, Menno, Brayden and Elizabeth Clemmer live their family hobby farm, but it requires hard work and a 24/7 commitment from the whole family. All of the animals must be fed and watered daily. For Brayden, who is very active in school sports, the farm requires many extra hours to complete his chores.

MABE Farm has a Facebook page, which describes their farm as “just for fun!” April often posts delightful pictures and videos of the animals and the children interacting and playing together.

Life on MABE Farm is all about family. While working together, close to nature in the great outdoors, the Clemmers have developed a deep appreciation for the land but an even deeper respect for life.

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Menno Clemmer feeds a small herd of Angus, Brahma and long-horned cows.

This newborn calf enjoys a tasty meal from Mom.

helping you focus on what matters most.

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49

SOUTHERN MADE SIMPLE

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS

BY L AU R A T U C K E R

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Cooperative Farming News

October is such a glorious time of year.

The summer heat is finally beginning to settle down and events like Fall festivals, county fairs, school bake sales, Halloween festivities and tailgate parties begin to pop up on our daily schedules. I’ve found that having an arsenal of quick and easy treats to prepare for these types of events is particularly helpful when the Fall season gets busy, and one of my absolute favorite treats to make during this time of year is these Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats. Peanut butter and chocolate go together better than just about anything in this world and adding in the light crispy and crunchy flakes from rice cereal creates this irresistible dessert that’s good right down to the bone.

These aren’t your typical back-of-the-box Rice Krispie treats, but don’t let that frighten you away from making them! You can certainly make these with original rice cereal, but I reached for the Cocoa Krispies to make these chocolaty treats instead. The kicker in this recipe is the chocolate almond bark that’s melted right in. It creates a delectable melt-in-your-mouth effect that is shockingly spectacular. Add in a smidge of peanut butter, some marshmallows and a heap of Reese’s Pieces and you’ve got a killer concoction that’ll be a hit with anyone who sneaks a bite!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIE TREATS

Ingredients 4 1/2 cups Cocoa Krispies cereal 1 pound chocolate almond bark (most packages of almond bark are 2 pounds, so just break 1 package in half) 1 cup peanut butter 2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 cup Reese's Pieces candy To get started making these treats, you’ll want to use a double boiler, which I like to affectionately refer to as my “cauldron” during this time of year. Melt down 1/2 of a package of chocolate almond bark. Add in the cup of peanut butter and stir until it’s perfectly creamy and smooth. Add in cereal, marshmallows and candy in a large bowl. Pour the melted chocolate over the cereal and stir until everything is well coated.

Pour into a well-greased brownie pan or 8×8 casserole dish. Pro tip: Spray your hand or the back of a spoon with nonstick cooking spray so you can press the mixture down evenly into the pan without making a mess.

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Also, if you’re looking for a foolproof way to get perfect and evenly cut bars, I highly recommend using a brownie pan with dividers to get clean, crisp cuts on your treats every time.

Here’s another rundown of how to make them: Instructions 1. In a double boiler, melt chocolate almond bark and stir continuously until smooth 2. Add in peanut butter and stir until well combined 3. In a large bowl, combine cereal, marshmallows and Reese's Pieces 4. Pour melted chocolate and peanut butter over cereal mixture and stir until well combined 5. Spray a brownie pan or 8X8 baking dish thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray 6. Pour mixture into pan and press into all corners using your hand or a well-greased spoon to make sure mixture spreads as evenly as possible 7. While mixture is still wet, add a few more candy pieces and cereal for garnish if desired 8. Allow to sit on counter until mixture firms up enough to cut - at least 2 hours 9. Cut into squares and enjoy!

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Once the treats have dried and set, just slice and serve! These Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats go great with a tall glass of milk, and they’re perfect to serve for Halloween or Fall celebrations!

BY L O I S T R I G G C H A P L I N

PLANT SNAPDRAGONS NOW

AMSONIA FOR FALL, TOO

If you haven’t grown snapdragons in a while, the much improved hybrids of this annual may surprise you with how well they perform through winter and into next summer. The main flower show is not until spring, but now is the time to set out transplants to give plants a head start. The main concern is to avoid wet spots during winter’s rainy weather. Be sure that they have a place with good drainage. Plants may be dwarf, upright and trailing. Trailing ones like 'Candy Showers' are great for pots and baskets. Dwarfs such as 'Magic Carpet' are good for bedding and containers, growing from 4 to 10 inches high and wide. Upright types grow straight up with a central flower spike. These can be encouraged to branch by snipping back the center of the plants when setting them out. Flower spikes will be slightly smaller, but more numerous.

If you want extra-long flower stems for flower arrangements look for the Rocket series which can grow to four feet tall; staking helps them in case of heavy wind and rain.

Plant in a sunny spot with excellent drainage and choose a fertilizer that contains a nitrate form of nitrogen, as it is the most readily available in cool soil.

Perennials are usually planted for their blooms, but Bluestar (Amsonia species) is just as worthy for the outstanding foliage color in the fall. Bluestar is named for its delicate, star-shaped, blue flowers that appear at the end of its stems in the spring. There are many species of Amsonia. By selecting carefully, you can choose the ones with leaves that make a brilliant second show of gold to orange fall color as the weather cools down in autumn. There are several species and selected cultivars of amsonia, some native to Alabama and other parts of the U.S. All are tough plants that do well in sun to part shade and in moist, but not soggy garden soil.For good fall color check plant tags for species and cultivars of Amsonia huebrichtii, Amsonia ciliata and Amsonia tabernaemontana. These include selections such as Storm Cloud and Blue Ice.

Amsonia

PLANT HERBS FOR WINTER

Snapdragons

With grocery prices continuing to rise, there is certainly no need to buy fresh or dried herbs when herb plants could yield more plenty of flavorful leaves in our gardens through winter.The most cold-hardy perennial herbs include rosemary, oregano, thyme, chives, October/November 2022

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Rosemary and oregano

garlic chives, sage, mint, lemon balm and horseradish.

Bonnie Plants sells many of these as transplants in the fall for planting now. Once planted, these herbs will live for several years in a well-drained soil or in containers.

In fact, mint sends out aggressive runners that can become weedy, so many folks plant it in a pot to keep it under control. Lemon balm is also a member of the mint family which spreads by roots or seeds, but it is not quite as aggressive as mint. Garlic chives will spread by reseeding but is easy to control by cutting off the pretty, white blooms in summer after they fade.

Grow parsley and cilantro as winter annuals. When they flower in the spring, their blossoms attract beneficial insects that prey on aphids and other pests. At the end of its life in summer, cilantro produces round seeds that are also known as coriander. Gather these into a jar for the spice cabinet, too. Another herb, dill, will grow through winter if protected from frost in a cold frame or under a frost cover. Chives will grow more vigorously undercover through winter too, although it’s not killed by frost. So, save money by growing your own herbs and to share with others.

SPLENDID DAWN REDWOOD The dawn redwood tree (Metasequoia glyptostroboides) is a living fossil. Today it still grows wild in a small region in China where seed was collected in 1947 by the Arnold Arboretum and distributed to botanical gardens and arboretums. Since then, it has become prized among horticulturists around the world, but is not well known to most gardeners. Related to bald cypress and California redwood trees, one look at the needle-leaved foliage, the shape of the tree, the small cone fruit, and the color of the bark reveals the connection. It is one of the few deciduous conifers. As a landscape tree, it is long lived and dependable, but needs height clearance and space. A perfect choice 54

Cooperative Farming News

for big properties, this is a beautiful specimen tree that is worth planting for posterity. The landmark specimen in my neighborhood pictured here stands at least 100 feet tall and about 40 feet wide. It grows fast, too (at least 2 feet per year), so gardeners can begin enjoying its beauty without a long wait. But it needs a well-planned location because the Dawn Redwood trees are thought to live for hundreds of years. If you enjoy a garden conversation piece, dawn redwood might be it. Although it is not generally available in the nursery trade, gardeners may order seedlings from the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.

CITIZEN SCIENCE The website sums it up: put up a feeder, count birds, enter your data. That and an $18 fee are the basics for participating in Project Feederwatch, a project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology that invites folks from around the country to report what birds are sighted at their feeders in November through April. Actually, a feeder is not required, just plants and water that provide a habitat for birds to visit in winter. This observational data helps ornithologists learn about bird distribution patterns that would not be possible without the thousands of participants throughout the U.S. This makes a great project for students, and also good entertainment for folks who might be housebound as long as the feeders are refilled. For more information visit their website at feederwatch.org.

Cardinal

BY J O H N H O W L E

IT'S SIMPLE!

LIVE SIMPLY ... SPEAK SIMPLY Everyone likes simple concepts and the use of simple words to get ideas across.

Unfortunately, the language of corporate America is ripe with big words that only a select few understand. This select few use what we call jargon. Jargon is the use of special words and expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand.

If you have a town job, you might have sat through a meeting with a superior who used the biggest words he/she could find to deliver a presentation in an attempt to appear intelligent. Words and phrases such as “with synergistic effects,” or “through the collaborative process,” or “data driven” might float through the air like rose petals tossed by a flower girl. In reality, when peo-

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it fully.” - Albert Einstein October/November 2022

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ple try to impress others with unneeded, complicated vocabulary, it is a sign of insecurity and anxiety on the part of the speaker. Jesus told his parables in simple, easy-to-understand terms and used examples that people of the time would recognize. I think there would be less miscommunication and more productivity if we all spoke and explained things simply.

As the early fall mornings bring a chill to the air, it’s a satisfying feeling to know that all the hard work spent during the summer months wasn’t wasted. Canned vegetables on the shelves and hay in the barn help bring optimism to the upcoming cold weather. In addition, the frosty mornings welcome deer season to our state.

Whether you planted food plots in September or plan to hunt from travel corridors, there is an abundance of whitetail deer in our state. While many hunters lie awake at night dreaming of big bucks and won’t take a shot at anything else, a female deer (doe) makes great meat and they truly live in abundance. Like any natural resource, a healthy diversity results from taking both bucks and does from the herd. This prevents overpopulation, reduces deer/car collisions, and makes for an ideal biodiversity. Finally, many hunters say they prefer the meat from does instead of mature bucks.

Even though the doe offers fine, high-protein meat, there is a strong allure to see those majestic tines of a buck appear in the brush.

Doe meat is high in protein, lean, and healthy.

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Seeing a majestic buck with a head full of antlers can excite any hunter.

To effectively hunt bucks, find their travel corridors. These are travel lanes between their bedding and feeding sites. Travel corridors that have an abundance of white oak acorns in the path increase your chances of a harvest. An old hunter once told me to

This 9-point was harvested along a travel corridor with an abundance of squirrel nests around my stand.

set my stand along a travel corridor where there is an abundance of squirrel nests because the squirrels know where the best acorns are. Over the years, this advice has been profitable.

Speaking of squirrels, October and November are great times to squirrel hunt in Alabama, and squirrel hunting is a great way to introduce youth to the outdoors. If you are hunting with a .22 rifle, spend some time on the range before the hunt to make sure your rifle is zeroed in. Nothing is more embarrassing than continually missing squirrels in front of the youngster you’ve taken hunting. In contrast, an accurately sighted rifle can result in a clean head shot to the squirrel, which will preserve most of the meat. This is a great time to explain to the youth the trigger to table concept. After the hunt, let the child help you clean the squirrels and even cook them. Nothing satisfies more than eating the harvest you have hunted and processed.

Scraping leaves from your fire breaks after the bulk of the leaves have fallen will give you a silent stalking path.

Be sure to enjoy Alabama’s natural treasures and state parks this fall and get a youngster off the i-Phone and into the great outdoors. In addition, live simply and speak simply. The people who surround you will greatly appreciate it.

If you are using a .22 to hunt squirrels, spend an hour or two at the shooting bend to make sure you are zeroed in.

It is truly challenging to stalk hunt when there is a thick layer of dry leaves on the ground. Whether you are stalk hunting for deer or squirrel, dry leaves can make a sound like you are walking on bubble wrap through the woods. One way to remedy this is to scrape the leaves from your firebreaks once the bulk of the leaves have fallen. This not only prevents out of control wildfire, it gives you a completely silent walking path for stalk hunting. You can use either a scrape, box blade, or root rake to clear leaves and debris from your path. If you don’t have a tractor and blade, you can use a leaf blower to create a narrow, silent path for walking. You will truly be amazed at the game you can walk up on with a silent trail.

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MAGIC OF GARDENING

TAKING IT ALL IN A SUCCESSFUL HARVEST

BY B E T H A N Y O ’ R E A R Days are growing shorter, and forecasts have nighttime temperatures starting to dip into the low 40s. Harvest time is just around the corner. Now is the time to prepare so that your crops can enjoy the longest growing season possible without making you scramble when frost is inevitable. Take a few easy steps in the next few weeks and take that stress off so you can enjoy your garden.

The first step is to prioritize. Determine what HAS to be harvested prior to frost and what can be left in the garden with little or no protection for several 58

Cooperative Farming News

more weeks. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and eggplant have to be gathered before true frost sets in. Tender herbs like basil, cilantro, and dill will blacken at the hint of freeze and even sturdy flowers for drying – coneflower, lavender and yarrow – are best cut before cold nights.

Many fall crops will tolerate, or even benefit from, some cold-temperature nights. Broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, kale and spinach will march through a cold snap, though they might need a little protection from a covering of straw or frost cloth when the thermom-

eter dips to 28 or below. Marjoram, parsley and sage will soldier on just fine.

Since first frost dates are unreliable, I get ready by having a cardboard box and newspaper ready to wrap bright, unblemished green tomatoes and place them in a dark, cool space to store through Thanksgiving. Check every few days and remove ripening fruit to the windowsill and discard fruits showing signs of rot. A glut of cucumbers can easily be preserved as refrigerator pickles that will last up to a month without the hassle of canning equipment.

Keep clean jars and brining ingredients on hand so you can spring into action. Any remaining radishes should be pulled and put to use in salads. There are many suggested methods to preserve sweet and hot peppers, but freezing is my technique of choice.

Start with clean, dry fruit, with seed removed. Cut peppers into desired size. Then, spread pieces onto a sheet pan and freeze. Once frozen, insert pieces into a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to help prevent freezer burn. Frozen peppers will make a delicious addition to many fall and winter dishes.

Tender herbs can be preserved in so many different ways: frozen in ice cubes, dried in the microwave or used as the base for vinegar dressings. Flowers you’ve collected for drying can be hung in a dry attic or basement; silica gel kits are also widely available at craft stores and online.

With a plan and equipment standing by, that inev-

Kale

itable first true frost won’t take you by surprise. After taking care of the tender plants, you now have more leisure to harvest the balance of your garden. Make sure your meal planning incorporates regular contributions of broccoli, cauliflower, kale and spinach. All of these plants can be picked “in part” by taking outer

Piedmont Native Azalea

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”

AS OCTOBER FADES AND WE PROCEED INTO NOVEMBER, THE IDEAL PLANTING TIME FOR MANY OF OUR FAVORITE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IS JUST BEGINNING. leaves or florets while the plant continues to grow.

Beets, carrots and parsnips can be harvested a few weeks after frost. Do not mistake the sweet potato as being a winter root vegetable. After the vines have been killed by frost (or very soon thereafter), make sure to lift any remaining potatoes to a dry and cool curing area. Winter squash, of course, are made for long storage with their protective coatings. Still, remove from the garden when ripe and store in a dry cool area nonetheless as squash left outside are still vulnerable to pests and hungry wildlife.

And while you were scurrying around, filling your larder for winter, I hope you were thinking of next year. All those heirloom or open-pollinated plants offer seed for saving. Flower seed like zinnia can be saved for next year simply by keeping flower heads dry. Dill and cilantro (coriander in seed form) are also simple to store. Tomatoes take a multistep process but make for a nice project after frost. But let’s not waste time on saving pumpkin seeds – we all know

they’re best roasted with salt, butter and a nod to Thanksgiving.

As we are talking about gathering the fruits of your labor, it is also a great time to gather your thoughts related to any tree and shrub additions that you have contemplated for your landscape. As October fades and we proceed into November, the ideal planting time for many of our favorite ornamental plants is just beginning. Installing a new bottlebrush buckeye, native azalea or oakleaf hydrangea (just to name a few) is most suited for the late fall and winter, giving our beloved plants time for their roots to make themselves at home in their new environment without the added stresses of producing new branches and blooms. Happy roots equal happy plants, ready to put on a show next spring.

Whether your focus is on the ornamental side or edibles are truly your passion, this time of year is ripe with possibilities. So, go out, enjoy and happy gardening!

Zinnia

Oakleaf Hydrangea

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LAWN & GARDEN C H E C K L I S T

October Garden Checklist Fruits and Nuts • Planting season for strawberries starts in South Alabama.

• Clean up orchard area.

• Remove broken limbs, old fruit, and debris from orchard floor.

Shrubs • Plant new trees and shrubs in the landscape.

• Water when needed.

• Note varieties of camellias and other landscape plants in bloom.

• Start mulching all shrubs that do not have a mulch.

Lawns • Perform a soil test to determine if limestone is recommended and apply anytime this fall.

• If winter or spring weeds were a concern this year, apply preemergent herbicides.

• Fertilize fescue lawns at 1 pound slow-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

• As fall rain returns, monitor for fungal disease in fescue.

Roses • Continue insect and disease control practices.

• New rose catalogs will be coming in.

• Study closely; add some new varieties to your list.

Annuals and Perennials • Visit flower shows and gardens.

• List desirable varieties of mums.

• Clean up flower beds immediately after first killing frost. Plant half-hardy annuals, such as snapdragons.

Bulbs • Plant tulip, hyacinth, daffodil, crocus, Dutch iris, anemone, and ranunculus.

• Watch planting depth. Dig caladiums; clean and store in a warm place.

Miscellaneous • Renew mulch around shrubs and rose beds.

• Loosen mulches that have packed down.

• Spray with oils before freezing weather to kill scale, mites, etc.

• Remove all dead stems and trash from flower beds.

• Transplant into small pots any cuttings taken earlier.

Vegetable Seeds • South: This is the last fall month to plant the winter garden. Plant carrots, collards, kale, mustard, onion seeds, radishes, spinach, and turnips. Plant Swiss chard in early October.

• Central and South: Continue planting winter-hardy crops such as beets, carrots, collards, kale, parsley, and spinach.

• North: Plant onion seeds and radishes in early October.

Vegetable Transplants • Whole state: Continue planting winter-hardy transplants.

• Soil test garden soil and apply limestone as recommended anytime this fall.

November Garden Checklist Fruits and Nuts • Select sites for plantings.

• Start mulching strawberries, blackberries, and grapes.

Shrubs • Plant shrubs, trees, and vines.

Lawns • Perform a soil test to determine if limestone is recommended and apply anytime this fall.

• Fertilize fescue lawns at 1 pound slow-release nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

• As fall rain returns, monitor for fungal disease in fescue.

Roses • Get rose planting underway.

• Use a soil test as a basis for fertilization.

• Look for new varieties.

Annuals and Perennials • Plant hardy annuals such as larkspur, poppies, pansies, bugloss, candytuft, and ornamental cabbage and kale.

• Get sweet peas into the ground.

Bulbs • Continue spring bulb planting.

• Put lilies of the valley in a shady place.

Miscellaneous • Plant screen plantings for privacy on the patio.

Vegetables • Use cold frames for tender, cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Swiss chard, lettuce, mustard, onions, radishes, and turnips.

Questions?

Call the Master Gardener Helpline at (877) 252-4769. A Master Gardener Extension volunteer is waiting to answer your call.

See other months from Alabama Gardener’s Calendar at www.aces.edu.

The Lawn and Garden Checklist is provided by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

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Cooperative Farming News

BY S U Z Y M c C R AY

TRACING MY LIFE THROUGH MAGAZINES AND WORDS

I was reading a 2013 Countryside Magazine late last night when an ad caught my emotions unexpectedly. The ad proclaimed that a particular book about raising sheep by Sue Weaver would contain everything anyone needed to know about raising sheep from choosing them, birthing, pasture raising and more.

Why would a book on sheep cause tears to flood my bed? Sue Weaver and her husband, John, were

found dead in their mobile home on their sweet Arkansas farm earlier in July. Both had been sick but it was so unexpected.

I had quoted Sue in my June 2020 Cooperative Farming News article about why I choose small goats on our farm as we grew older and she was tickled to help.

Although we had never met in person, we had been October/November 2022

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friends for many years because of our shared love of The last six weeks of her life, I was forced to place writing and of animals. My texts back and forth to her my mama in a local nursing home because caring for just on this phone, which I’ve had since 2019, show her around the clock was taking its toll on my own each of us congratulating one another on our writing health. The day I went to visit those majestic longsuccesses and commiserating with each other when horned bulls was the day I discovered my mama, who editors either declined our hard work or simply took died in April 2007 shortly before the article was publonger than we expected to get back with us. lished, would never be coming back home.

When I was learning to I have only missed a spin on my spinning wheel, deadline to Cooperative Sue sent me an entire fleece Farming News two times from one of her sheep! during all those years. Once We didn’t agree politithe month I became a widow, cally on most things but we and then in March of this were still friends. year when I was hospitalized One of my last texts to twice, and my editors graher was how I’d been reading ciously reprinted an article a 2010 Hobby Farms magafrom 2014. zine, again late at night, and But magazines and found an article she’d written words and I have a long about horses. history that started when She celebrated with I was just a youngster and me when my books were continued when my biology published, and I asked her a teacher, Mrs. Leeta Pesnell zillion questions when she at Oneonta High School, changed primarily from print would encourage me to read to e-books. the stacks of inspirational Now my visits with Sue magazines stacked on her will come though the old messy desk. Encouraging magazines that are stacked me by saying, “You know you in my sewing room, by could write articles better our bed, and in bookcases than this!” throughout our farmhouse.

During my early adult But words and old magayears, I often read sitting zines kind of define my life. beside my young son’s bunk I can trace much of the beds as he went to sleep.

I can trace much of the last two last two decades of my The early Mother Earth News decades of my life through past issues life through past issues of helped me learn to garden in of the Cooperative Farming News, the Cooperative Farming concrete blocks on our hilly starting when it was a tabloid-sized News, starting when it was then-farm, raise rabbits, cook a tabloid-sized newspaper from scratch and more. newspaper and continuing as it and continuing as it changed In 1990, old friend, the changed to the award-winning glossy to the award-winning glossy late Nelson Green, appeared print magazine of today. print magazine of today. in my Christian book store I know exactly when I with a rolled-up magazine in began writing for the Coophand. “You need to read this,” erative Farming News – 2007. My first few articles inhe said as he left a shiny Backwoods Home magazine cluded a man struggling to establish a trout farm in St. on my counter. I was soon entrenched in stories about Clair County, Alabama, radio personality Neal Vickers' Editor Dave Duffy as he worked on his simple homethen-farm in the small St. Clair County town of Steele stead while raising his daughter as a single parent. (where his horses and sheep grazed contentedly in a The next day Nelson appeared again, this time carrypasture adjacent to one of the town’s historic churching a Countryside Magazine, written by other homees), and a family in north Alabama who raised long steaders under the leadership of Editor J.D. Bellenger. horned bulls, primarily for rodeos and other shows.

Some of my friends from both magazines still keep in 64

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touch as the internet delved deeper into social media.

(And I’ve written articles for both magazines through the years!)

On my roll-top desk now beside my modern laptop is a September/October 1997 Countryside from which I learned to make tomato jelly, apple butter and corncob jelly.

There are many articles in the old Backwoods Home magazine that son Nathan and I used during his home schooling before he graduated in 1999!

I read about Great Pyrenees as livestock guardian dogs when Shadow came unexpectedly to live with me here on the farm when I first became a widow.

(That big shaggy dog was my guardian angel, taking care of my animals and me until the month after Mack and I married and Shadow died peacefully of old age under his favorite tree.)

But there’s more. A September/October 1992 Countryside magazine showed me all about the Angora goat enterprise, Southern gardening and even preparing your tractor for winter, as I worked to keep a raggedy old International Tractor going.

I bought my first Angora rabbits after seeing the breed featured in a 1990’s issue of CountryWoman magazine and I treasure a March/April 2003 that shows a woman spinning on an identical wheel of mine.

Those who follow these Simple Times articles in this magazine have rejoiced with me as I married my beloved eighth-grade boyfriend (after more than 50 years) and have followed as he built a barn, redid our pasture with a new SECURE fence and more, but most special, how God has worked in our lives during these past few years.

I can look back at the dates on each issue of Coop-

erative Farming News or on some of these other great magazines that seem to overflow our house, and I can tell you what I was doing then, which grandchildren came along, and other milestones on our farm and in our lives.

Mack and I read the Bible together each year and this year we are reading a Chronological Bible which really shows how the Bible is true history as well as God’s Word.

Like all these magazines, my Bibles are also filled with dates and notes from sermons, Sunday School lessons, and just blessings that have occurred in my own life. There are many encouraging passages with the dates of when I was facing and then stumbling through my first days as a widow. There are passages of when I was struggling financially, and how God’s Words encouraged me even then when things looked so bleak on this farm and in my life. And there are glorious passages of when God was leading Mack and me into marriage and a new life together.

So you see, words and dates mean an awful lot of me.

As I look at my dad’s Gideon Bible and read John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God,” I also see daddy’s written note from about 1985, “Jesus is the living word of God, and through the written word, the living Word comes to us.”

Words, magazines, and books have indeed shaped my life and record the history of it, but The Book and its words give me a future!

(Suzy and husband Mack live on a homestead in Blount County, Alabama and can be reached on Facebook or by email at suzy.mccray@yahoo.com)

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FOOD SAFETY

COOKING WITH PUMPKIN

WITH HOME-CANNED SOUP IN THE WINTER MONTHS B Y A N G E L A T R E A D AWAY Right now, the pumpkins and winter squash are ripe and ready. Pumpkin and winter squash are a rich source of Vitamin A as well as fiber. Other nutrients you get from pumpkin include potassium, folic acid, copper, iron and riboflavin. One cup of cooked solidly packed pumpkin/squash has only about 80 calories!

While it is much easier to use canned pumpkin, you can use fresh pumpkin and squash that you have cooked and pureed for your favorite recipes.

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There are several varieties of winter squash available including butternut, Hubbard, turban, buttercup, acorn, banana, mammoth, sweet dumpling and the pumpkin.

Follow these tips for easy and safe pumpkin cooking: Choose pumpkin or squash that has a bright colored skin, is firm and heavy for its size, with no damaged areas. Smaller pumpkins/squash may produce better products.

• To use, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds. Place it cut side down in a baking dish and bake in a moderate (350 F) oven until the pulp is soft. Let it cool slightly and then scoop the flesh out of the shell. You can puree it in a blender or food processor to make a smoother product and it is ready for pies, pumpkin bread, cookies or other products made with pumpkin puree.

• To freeze pumpkin, first rinse the outer rind with cold water. Then cut into cooking-size sections and remove seeds. Cook until soft in boiling water, in steam, in a pressure cooker or in an oven. Remove pulp from rind and mash. To cool, place pan containing pumpkin in cold water and stir occasionally. Package, leaving ½-inch headspace. Seal, label container and freeze. Freeze in quantities that can be used at one time, for example, enough for one or two pumpkin pies.

• Thaw pumpkin and squash in the refrigerator – not on the counter – before using.

• To can pumpkin, you must can the pumpkin in chunks. Wash the pumpkin and remove seeds.

Cut into 1-inch slices and peel, then cut the flesh into 1-inch cubes. Add the cubes to a saucepot of boiling water and boil for 2 minutes; do not mash or puree. Pack the hot cubes into hot jars leaving 1-inch of headspace. Fill the jar to within 1-inch of the top with boiling hot cooking liquid. Remove air bubbles, wipe the jar rims, adjust the lids and process in a pressure canner at 10 pounds pressure – 55 minutes for pints and 90 minutes for quarts.

• When you are ready to use the pumpkin, drain off most of the liquid and mash or puree and use as you would commercially canned pumpkin.

• Check stored pumpkins occasionally and discard any that become soft or moldy.

Orange Date Pumpkin Muffins 1 cup whole-wheat flour 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 large seedless orange, scrubbed and cut into 8 sections (peel left on) 1 large egg 1 large egg white 2/ 3 cup fresh or thawed frozen, unseasoned pumpkin puree 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup honey 3 Tablespoons canola oil 3/4 cup pitted dates, chopped 3 Tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans Heat oven to 400 F. Coat 12 standard muffin cups with cooking spray.

Whisk flours, baking powder and soda, salt, cinnamon in a large bowl. Puree orange sections in a food processor or blender. Add egg, egg white, pumpkin, sugar, honey and oil and process until mixed good. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients: add the wet ingredients and dates. Stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with nuts. Bake the muffins until the tops spring back when touched lightly, approximately 18-20 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and empty out onto wire rack to cool before serving.

October/November 2022

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Cooperative Farming News

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LIFE LESSONS WITH ARCHIE

BY G R E G A . L A N E In 2014, my family was blessed with the introduction of a new “family” member … a Boykin Spaniel puppy that we named Archie. The stories I present in this month’s article come directly from my interactions with Archie over the past several years.

YOU’RE JUST GONNA HAVE TO FORGET ABOUT THAT

destiny. There are times when I’ve seen things on news reports and social media that stirred up anger and frustration within me. Just like Archie, I get distracted from the pathway I’m on, and God has to pull me back to my destiny and purpose with the words “You’re just gonna have to forget about that!”

Not everything we see, smell, feel and experience are healthy for our spiritual and mental well-being.

Distractions and detours are everywhere. You can’t

Archie and I were returning home from our walk one morning and, as usual, Archie was pulling on his leash trying to get out ahead of me. Suddenly, without any warning, he took a detour from the pathway as if being pulled by an unseen force. Actually, it really was an unseen force … he had caught the scent of something in the air and was running in all directions trying to find the source. He was pulling on the leash, jerking me in one direction and then another. I let him have about 30 seconds to investigate but then I said to him, “You’re just gonna have to forget about that” as I yanked him back onto the path and pulled him away from the distraction. Within a minute he had forgotten about the scent, and he was back to leading the way on our journey home.

The words I spoke to Archie were echoing in my ears ... “You’re just gonna have to forget about that.”

Sometimes God has to tell you and me the exact same thing. We get distracted on our pathway and get sidetracked by things that are either “none of our business” or are cleverly devised detours that the enemy of our soul has set up to keep us from our October/November 2022

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get to the place God wants you to go in life if you’re continually getting pulled away from His pathway for you. It is a wise person who can learn to say to himself, “You’re just gonna have to forget about that!”

THE SOUNDS OF LIFE

The first week of April 2022, it seemed like Archie’s health had taken a turn for the worse. He’d had a few health issues through the years because of some KEEP YOUR EYES genetic problems in his family bloodline. So, when he ON THE MASTER seemed to be becoming somewhat fragile and frail, my wife and I talked about whether or not it was getting I walked out the back door of our house with an ice time to have him put down. Just the thought of it was cream bar in my hand one Friday night after supper. too painful for me to think about. So, I prayed for him, Archie was in the backyard, sitting under the shade trees and told him I loved him, and tried to believe for the with my wife. When he saw the ice cream, he trotted tobest. There were a couple of days where he just laid in ward me. Anytime I walk outside with any kind of dessert his bed most of the day, not making a sound. I’m used in my hand I almost always give him just a smidgen of it. to him being playful and barking like a wild banshee.

But, I told him he wasn’t getting any this time.

To be honest, there have been days when he’s gone on He stood there and looked at me, motionless. He barking sprees where I’ve just had to tell him, “Would didn’t look at the ice cream bar … he looked directly into you please just shut up!” But, for several days in a row my eyes. I watched his eyes. I didn’t see them move tohe barely made a sound and was almost motionless. ward the ice cream bar, not even for a moment. He was Miraculously, everything changed on Easter. Late in completely focused on me. I said to him again, “I can’t the afternoon, it seemed like Archie had come back to give you any tonight, buddy, because this might not be life. How fitting it was that this seemingly miraculous good for you.” My wife said, “It’s non-dairy ice cream, turn in his health happened on Resurrection Sunday! so it won’t bother him.” I looked back at Archie. He was He was running around the house outside and barking standing still, eyes completely up a storm. You know what? focused on me.

I was happy to hear him Now, I’ve had other pets bark! It brought a smile to my Any good thing you and I could in the past that would look face. I didn’t tell him to stop possibly want in life can be found in at the food I was eating and barking one single time. That God’s hands. The key is to not focus stare at it, with drool driponce-annoying bark had beping from their mouths, just come music to my ears. For, on His hand. The key is to keep our hoping for a small morsel. it was proof that Archie was eyes on the Master’s face.

But, there was something indeed alive and well! about the way Archie kept on So, now, I try to appreciate looking me in the eyes that my barking dog better. That’s changed my resolve. I told him, “You know what? I’m part of who he is, and since I love him, I’m going to apgoing to give you some of this. Not because you want preciate the barking a little more. Several months ago, it so much, but because you were focused on me and it was an extreme annoyance. But today it’s the SOUND not on the ice cream.”

OF LIFE. As I said those words, it felt just like something God Think about the loved ones in your life today. If would say to one of His children. As a matter of fact, they’re alive and breathing, there are some very annoyit sounded a lot like my favorite verse from the Bible – ing things that they do that almost push you to the “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, edge of your sanity. But, for a moment, think how inand all these things will be added unto you” (Matthew credibly sad you’d be if that loved one was gone. You’d 6:33). To put it in Archie terms, “Keep your eyes on the long for just one more day of those little annoyances Master, first and foremost, and he will give you all the just so you could be with them again. After all, they are things you want in life.” the SOUNDS OF LIFE. Any good thing you and I could possibly want in life Show mercy to others today. Overlook petty annoycan be found in God’s hands. The key is to not focus on ances. Remind yourself that our time on Earth is limitHis hand. The key is to keep our eyes on the Master’s ed and each day is a treasure. TURN UP THE VOLUME face. and let the SOUNDS OF LIFE run their course.

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BY M A RY DE L P H

BY J E S S I E S H O O K

October in Alabama means the celebration of beef and the return of football! Beef up your tailgate this fall with these delicious recipes from www.beefitswhatsfordinner.

Grilled Sirloin Steak Kabobs with Garlic Rosemary Butter 1 p ound beef top sirloin steak boneless, cut 1 inch thick 1 Tablespoon steak seasoning blend 1 Tablespoon olive oil 8 ounces red-skinned potatoes 4 ounces cherry tomatoes 4 ounces baby portobello mushrooms

Basting Sauce 4 Tablespoons salted butter 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped 1.5 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced Garnish 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, chopped Cut potatoes into 1-1/2-inch pieces. Place in microwave-safe dish; cover with vented plastic wrap.

Microwave on HIGH 6 to 8 minutes or until just tender, stirring once. Cool slightly.

Cut beef top sirloin steak into 1-1/4 inch pieces.

Combine beef, mushrooms, tomatoes, potatoes, olive oil, and steak seasoning in a large bowl; toss. Alter-

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nately thread beef and vegetables onto metal skewers.

Place kabobs on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, 9 to 12 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 8 to 10 minutes) for medium rare (145F) to medium (160F) doneness, turning once and brushing with sauce during last 5 minutes. Remove from grill and brush with remaining sauce. Garnish with remaining rosemary, parsley mixture.

Basting Sauce: In a small sauce pot combine butter, parsley, garlic and rosemary. Melt butter mixture over low heat either on the stove top or on your grill until melted. Stir occasionally.

Maplewood-smoked Bacon Beer Burgers 1 pound ground beef (96% lean) 1/4 cup beer 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split 4 slices reduced-fat cheddar cheese 4 e xtra-thick slices Maplewood-smoked bacon, cut in half, cooked crisp

Place burgers on bottom of buns; top with bacon slices. Close sandwiches.

Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

Cook's Tip: Reduced-sodium or regular bacon may be substituted for Maplewood-smoked bacon.

Nacho Beef Dip 1 pound ground beef (93% lean or leaner) 1 j ar (15 to 16 ounces) cheese dip with salsa (salsa con queso) or other cheese dip 1/2 cup thick-and-chunky mild or medium salsa Toppings (optional): Blue, yellow and/or white corn tortilla chips Di ced red bell pepper, thinly sliced green onions, sliced ripe olives

Combine ground beef, beer and Worcestershire in medium bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Place patties in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 7 to 9 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally. About 2 minutes before burgers are done, place buns, cut side down, on grid. Grill until lightly toasted.

During last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese.

Heat nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot.

Add ground beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Add cheese dip and salsa; cook and stir about 3 minutes or until mixture is heated through.

Pour beef mixture into shallow serving dish. Serve with tortilla chips for dipping. Garnish with toppings, if desired.

Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

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Popcorn Steak Bites 1 pound beef cubed steaks, cut 1/2 inch thick 6 cups ridged potato chips (any flavor) 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon pepper 2 large eggs, slightly beaten Dipping Sauces: Ra nch or Thousand Island dressing, mustard, ketchup or barbecue sauce Cut beef steaks into 1X1-inch pieces; set aside.

Place chips in bowl of food processor. Cover; pulse on and off to form fine crumbs.

Cook's Tip: To crush chips with rolling pin, place chips in large food-safe resealable plastic bag. Close bag securely, leaving 1-inch opening.

Finely crush chips in bag with rolling pin.

Cheesy Bourbon Hot Brown Skillet Dip 8 ounces deli roast beef 8 ounces cream cheese 6 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded 1/2 cup Romano cheese, shredded 1/2 cup sour cream 4 strips cooked bacon, finely chopped 2 Roma tomatoes, diced 2 Tablespoons bourbon 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 Tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon paprika 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 2 teaspoons granulated garlic

Combine pepper and flour in a shallow bowl.

Place crushed chips and eggs into two additional shallow bowls. Dip steak pieces in flour, then into egg, then into crushed chips, turning to coat all sides and pressing chips onto steak pieces.

Spray rack of broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place beef bites on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 6 inches from heat. Broil 8 to 10 minutes or until 160F. Serve immediately with dipping sauces, as desired.

Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed beef. Cubed steaks should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of cubed steak doneness.

Heat oven to 350F. Set aside 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped bacon, and 1 tablespoon diced tomatoes for garnish.

In a standing mixer combine cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, bacon, deli roast beef, sour cream, Romano cheese, tomatoes, paprika, garlic, mustard, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon, and pepper until well incorporated. Remove bowl from mixer and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to bake.

Spread the dip into a 8" cast-iron or oven-proof skillet. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling. Remove from oven and top with remaining bacon, parsley, and tomatoes.

Serve warm with crackers, toasted bread or celery and carrots.

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Beef Pot Stickers with Dipping Sauces 1 pound ground beef (95% lean) 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1-1/3 cups finely chopped button mushrooms 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 40 wonton wrappers (3-1/4 to 3-1/2-inch squares or 3-1/2-inch rounds) 2 cups water, divided Dipping Sauces: Map le-Wasabi, Citrus, Thai Peanut and Spicy Sweetand-Sour Dipping Sauces

Prepare desired Dipping Sauce(s); set aside.

Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat. Transfer to large bowl; stir in green onions, ginger and pepper. Cool to room temperature. Add ground beef and soy sauce; mix lightly but thoroughly.

Spoon 1 level tablespoon beef mixture in center of 1 wonton wrapper. (Keep remaining wonton wrappers covered with clean, damp kitchen towel to prevent drying out.) Moisten edges of wonton wrapper with fingertip dipped in water. Fold wrapper diagonally in half, sealing edges and pressing out air. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling to form 40 pot stickers.

Cook's Tip: One package (12 ounces) square wonton wrappers yields about 60 wrappers. One package (10 ounces) round wonton/gyoza wrappers yields 74

Cooperative Farming News

about 54 wrappers.

Wipe out same 12-inch nonstick skillet; spray liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat until hot. Arrange 10 pot stickers in single layer in skillet; pan-fry 4 minutes, turning once. Carefully add 1/2 cup water. Cover; cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove pot stickers; keep warm. Repeat with remaining pot stickers. (Wipe out skillet and spray with additional cooking spray between batches to prevent sticking.)

Serve pot stickers with dipping sauce(s).

Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.

DIPPING SAUCES Maple-Wasabi Dipping Sauce: Combine 6 Tablespoons maple syrup, 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon wasabi paste and 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger in small bowl. Makes about 2/3 cup.

Citrus Dipping Sauce: Combine 1/2 cup fresh tangerine or orange juice, 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine), 2 Tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon chopped green onion, 2 teaspoons sesame seeds and 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger in small bowl. Makes about 1 cup.

Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce: Combine 1/3 cup light coconut milk, 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger and 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper in small bowl until smooth. Makes about 2/3 cup.

Spicy Sweet-and-Sour Dipping Sauce: Combine 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger and 1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce in small saucepan; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Boil about 2 minutes or until slightly thickened; cool slightly before serving. Makes about 1/2 cup.

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2022 TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY BEEF CATTLE SHORT COURSE September 30 - October 1, 2022 Selma - BBMIC Building 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

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Call 205-213-8697 76

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RUSSELL COUNTY STAMPEDE RODEO October 1, 2022 Phenix City - 3949 US Hwy 431 Admission Gates open at 5:30 p.m.

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Mobile - USS Alabama Battleship Call 251-746-2293 Memorial Park - Admission 8:00 a.m.

AHSAA SUPER 7 Call 251-433-2702 November 30 - December 2, 2020 Auburn - Jordan-Hare Stadium DECORATING WITH NATURE – Visit website for event schedule AUTAUGA COUNTY LUNCH & Call 334-263-6994 LEARN November 16, 2022 Prattville - Trinity Presbyterian Church Bring a sack lunch Noon - 1:00 p.m.

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“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.*

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