Marshall County Extension e-News
March 2024
424 Blount Ave. Ste. G21
Guntersville, AL 35976
Phone: (256) 582-2009
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Good morning!
My, oh my, how February has flown by! We had an extremely successful pruning workshop, 4-H Rabbit Showmanship clinic, Chili & Beef Cook off, Livestock Judging contest, Job success programs, Career Countdown and Color Me Healthy programs rounded out our month.
March brings our third installment of the very successful Grant Writing Workshops for non-profits. WE will host the Private Pesticide class, more Job Success, Career Countdown, 4-H Rabbit Show, Serv Safe and finishing up 4-H Club meetings for the school year.
There are several educational opportunities embedded right here into this newsletter- click on anything you may be interested in for more information.
Thank you for your continued support and participation in activities from your County Extension Office!
Sincerely,
Kristen Roberson
County Extension Coordinator
Visit our Webpage at: www.aces.edu/counties/marshall
or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/marshallalextension |
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Agriculture |
Matt Webb (256) 599-2689
Eddie McGriff (256) 557-2375 |
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EPA Provides Update on Over-the-Top Uses of Dicamba
In light of the February 6, 2024, ruling by the U.S. District Court of Arizona vacating the 2020 registrations for over-the-top (OTT) dicamba products, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing the following update. On February 14, 2024, EPA issued an Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products Previously Registered for Over-the-Top Use on Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton and Soybean. This Order addresses use of the formerly-registered dicamba products and authorizes limited sale and distribution of dicamba products that are already in the possession of growers or in the channels of trade and outside the control of the pesticide companies.
Background
Dicamba is an herbicide used to target broadleaf weeds in agricultural and non-agricultural settings. The herbicide is registered for use at specified stages in agricultural crop fields of corn, cotton, sorghum, soybeans, sugarcane, and other crops. The dicamba products subject to the February 2024 vacatur were registered to be sprayed OTT of genetically engineered dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton after the crops have emerged from the ground. There are also dicamba products that are only registered for non-OTT applications. These products are applied earlier in the growing season before crop emergence while OTT products can be applied later in the growing season after crop emergence.
Dicamba was first registered for OTT uses on dicamba-tolerant cotton and soybeans in 2016. In 2017 and again in 2018, EPA amended the registrations of all OTT dicamba products following reports that growers had experienced crop damage and economic losses resulting from the off-site movement of dicamba. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated the 2018 registrations in June 2020 on the basis that “EPA substantially understated risks that it acknowledged and failed entirely to acknowledge other risks.” Days after the court’s decision, EPA issued an order for the affected products that addressed existing stocks.
In October 2020, EPA issued new registrations for two dicamba products and extended the registration of an additional dicamba product until 2025. All three registrations included new measures that the Agency expected to prevent off-target movement and damage to non-target crops and other plants. Further state-specific amendments to the registrations occurred in 2022 and 2023.
In response to a lawsuit against EPA concerning these registrations, on February 6, 2024, a ruling by the U.S. District Court of Arizona vacated the 2020 registrations for OTT dicamba products XtendiMax, Engenia, and Tavium. As of February 6, 2024, these products are unregistered, and sale or distribution of these products is unlawful except as provided in EPA’s February 2024 existing stocks order.
Existing Stocks Order
EPA has issued an Existing Stocks Order to allow for limited sale and distribution of dicamba OTT products that were already in the possession of growers or in the channels of trade and outside the control of pesticide companies as of February 6, 2024. The order also prohibits the use of these dicamba products except where the use is consistent with the previously approved labeling, which included measures intended to reduce environmental damage caused by offsite movement of the pesticide.
This Existing Stocks Order is limited in time and scope, allowing for certain sale, distribution, and use of existing stocks of these formerly-registered dicamba products for the 2024 growing season. EPA has received ample evidence that millions of gallons of OTT dicamba had already entered the channels of trade prior to February 6, 2024. Additionally, most growers have already placed orders for dicamba-tolerant seed for the 2024 growing season and, given the timing of these registrations being vacated, are not able to pivot to another herbicide-tolerant seed and herbicide system.
The issuance of this Existing Stocks Order will help ensure that growers who already possess OTT dicamba and/or have already purchased dicamba-tolerant seeds and thus are reliant on the availability of specific products solely for the 2024 growing season: (1) apply only dicamba formulations designed for use over the top of dicamba-tolerant soybean and cotton, rather than violating FIFRA by misusing more volatile dicamba formulations which could lead to greater offsite movement (and thus potential damage to non-dicamba tolerant crops and other plants); and (2) apply these OTT dicamba products consistent with restrictions intended to reduce offsite movement and protect human health and the environment. Thus, it is necessary for EPA to issue an Existing Stocks Order to ensure that growers follow these directions for use, which were designed to reduce environmental damage caused by offsite movement.
Under this order, end users of existing stocks may only use the formerly-registered products consistent with the previously approved labeling for the products and must stop use of these products by the relevant dates laid out in the Order. Additional details regarding restrictions on the sale, distribution, and use of these formerly-registered products can be found in EPA’s Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba Products Previously Registered for Over-the-Top Use on Dicamba-Tolerant Cotton and Soybean.
Next Steps
EPA will continue to update the public and the states as it evaluates and takes any actions related to dicamba use. For more information, visit EPA’s website.
Read the Existing Stocks Order for Dicamba
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Profit profiles is a weekly market report for common Alabama agricultural commodities. It contains futures prices for nearby and harvest months, Alabama steer and heifer prices, hay prices and selected feed and fertilizer inputs prices. Futures prices reflect commodity closing prices as of Friday afternoon. Other prices are current as they are published.
Download the current profit profiles of commodities.
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Learn—month by month—the necessary gardening activities for lawns and shrubs, annuals and perennials, fruit and nut trees, and bulbs, roots, and tubers. Included is a timeline for activities such as soil testing, planting, pruning, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, indoor plantings—from cauliflower to okra, from camellias to dahlias to heirloom roses...
Click here for your March Guide |
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White mold is caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. It is most common on winter crops such as cabbage, collards, kale, and other winter-time vegetables. Disease development is favored by wet, cool conditions. Damage from white mold can occur in the field, in storage, in transit, and in the marketplace. The pathogen has a wide host range that includes over 350 species of plants including popular vegetables such as tomato, pepper, and green beans. The disease has also been a sporadic problem on tomatoes grown in high tunnels and greenhouses during the winter in Alabama.
READ MORE HERE...
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Forestry, Wildlife & Natural Resources |
Norm Haley (256) 630-4248 |
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While deer-hunting season is over, another hunting season is just on the horizon: turkey season. Alabama hunters can shake off the winter blues and gear up for the 2024 turkey season through the “The Best Turkey Season Ever” webinar. This webinar — hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System — is March 12 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. No matter how many years you have spent in the woods, there is always more to learn.
READ MORE HERE...
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Ninety-five percent of lifelong smokers start when they are teens. Using targeted resources and strategies may help teens who smoke or vape manage the quitting process.
Using nicotine as a teen can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, and mood. It also impacts other parts of the body, particularly the lungs, because it leaves a chemical residue behind that causes breathing problems. It is therefore important to help youth stop using nicotine products as soon as possible.
READ MORE HERE...
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Tax time does not have to be stressful. Before you begin the whole process, you may want to review the following checklist to ensure you arrive to tax appointments fully prepared.
Time
- Individual income tax returns are generally due April 15, unless it is the weekend or holiday. See When to File on the IRS website, www.irs.gov.
- If you are seeking an extension, you may file Form 4868, and your due date will be in October.
- The IRS provides the Tax Time Guide on their website, and more information may come out soon.
Personal Information
- Provide the social security numbers and dates of birth for all family members. (Required)
- Prepare bank routing and account number to receive the refund. (Optional)
- Bring copies of last year’s tax return. (Not required but helpful)
Income Information
- Bring W-2 forms for your family members.
- Form 1099-G for unemployment compensation.
- If you are self-employed, you will need Form 1099 and Schedule K-1. Learn more about the 1099-K form on the IRS website.
- If you have rental income, you need the records of income and expenses.
- If you are retired, you may have retirement income, such as pension, IRA, and annuity (1099-R).
In addition to the list above, there are other types of income, such as business income, investments, installment sales, alimony received (divorce before 2019), stock options, scholarships, awards, etc. The following links may be helpful:
Deductions
There are two types of deductions: deductions for Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)—also called adjustments—and deductions from Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), also called standard deductions or itemized deductions. Find more detailed information by visiting the IRS web page, Credits and Deductions for Individuals.
Deductions can lower the tax burden. As a result, you can have more money in your pocket. To prepare the documentation, you may prepare the following:
- Contribution to retirement accounts, such as Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, and another self-employed pension plan
- Health Saving Account (HAS) contributions
- Self-employed health insurance payment records
- Mortgage interest from 1098 forms
- Receipts for energy-saving home improvements
- Electric vehicle information
- Cash or gifts to charitable organizations
- Receipts for moving expenses
- Sales of home (Section 121)
Tax Credits
In most cases, the individual tax credits can be found on the IRS website. If you are looking for credits and deductions for business, visit the IRS website listing of business credits and deductions.
READ MORE HERE...
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Here’s a take on a popular southern dish. Live Well Alabama’s Alabama Catfish Gumbo features Alabama-grown vegetables and catfish. This recipe feels like home and will keep the family warm during the cold winter.
Tips: Catfish doesn’t have to be fried to be delicious! Enjoy it simmered in this tasty soup to get the protein, vitamins, and minerals without the added fat from frying. Use a cooking thermometer to ensure that fish is fully cooked to 145 degrees F.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
2 cans low sodium chicken broth, 14.5 ounces each
3 teaspoons seafood seasoning
2 cans diced low sodium tomatoes, 14.5 ounces each
1 can tomato paste, 3 ounces
1 12-ounce bag frozen okra
4 catfish fillets
2 cups cooked brown rice
Directions
In large pot, heat oil and cook onion, bell pepper, and celery until tender.
Add chicken broth, seafood seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and okra. Bring to a boil.
Add catfish and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until fish is cooked through.
Serve over rice.
For more Live Well Alabama recipes, visit LiveWellAlabama.com.
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