Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed several bills into law last week supporting Georgia’s farmers and foresters. The Governor was joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo, members of the General Assembly as well as agriculture and natural resource representatives. During the event, Governor Kemp signed HB1159 which …
Updated weather models now show a very high percentage chance of a super El Nino forming later this year. It’s not often weather observers put a high percentage chance on any forecast, but long-range models now show the strongest El Nino ever could be forming by October-November this year. The main features of such a forecast, likelihood of a very wet fall …
The Early 1900s: Electricity as a Luxury In the early 20th century, electricity was not the everyday utility we know today—it was considered a luxury. As shared by agricultural broadcaster Mark Oppold in his American Agriculture History Minute, electrification was still in its infancy, and access to electric power was limited primarily to urban areas. The 1920s: A Growing Urban …
ATLANTA, GA – Cotton is one of Georgia’s 13 agricultural commodity commissions seeking nominations from producers to serve on their respective commissions. Chris Hopkins (Toombs County), Greg Sikes (Bulloch County) and John Ruark (Morgan County) are currently serving on the Georgia Cotton Commission with expiring terms. Producers can nominate themselves, be nominated by others, or receive a nomination from an …
USDA has published the final rule regarding stocking standards for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to the Department, the final rule requires that retailers “must now carry seven varieties of items across four categories of staple foods: protein, grains, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. This change more than doubles the requirement of available foods, emphasizes more …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed additional representatives to the National Peanut Board. The National Peanut Board is made up of 12 producer members and their alternates with eleven members and their alternates representing the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Additionally, an at-large member and alter represent the …
The Texas Animal Health Commission reported on Facebook last week that USDA APHIS announced another shift in the dispersal area for sterile flies in a precautionary effort in the fight against New World Screwworm from entering the U.S. While there has been no detections of New World Screwworm in the United States, the Texas Animal Health Commission says that these …
A Rare Moment in American Agricultural History In a remarkable snapshot of rural America, Mark Oppold highlights an extraordinary farmland auction that captured the attention of the local farming community and beyond. Events like these are not just about land changing hands—they represent legacy, opportunity, and the enduring value of American agriculture. Bitter Cold, Red-Hot Demand On a frigid February …
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 8, 2026, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended May 08, 2026, receipts at 16 markets totaled 11,038 head compared to 8,988 last week and 10,163 last …
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board has provided production research opportunities for the Florida cattle industry. We caught up with Gene Lollis, former Florida Cattlemen’s Association President and current Director of Ranch Operations at the Archbold Research Station, Buck Island Ranch to learn about his experience with the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board. “The Enhancement Board has been huge for our state. …
