The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association kicks off their Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program this week and we caught up with Michael Smith with ACA to learn more. “We’re super excited. We’ve got class number 13 will convene this week there in Montgomery at our quarterly board meeting. We’ll introduce the class to all of our board members there and let them see how …
Autonomous Tractors Deployed in American Sugar Industry
U.S. Sugar, Everglades Equipment Group and Autonomous Solutions Inc. have announced the nation’s largest commercial deployment of autonomous tractors in the American sugar industry. The fleet of unmanned John Deere tractors are being implemented on 255,000 acres of farmland in South Florida. The fleet of tractors are operating in sugarcane fields 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While …
A Look at US Ag Exports
The U.S. is highly competitive in agricultural production and the largest agricultural exporter in the world. In 2024, exports were estimated to total $181 billion. Given that the world population is expected to reach nearly $10 billion by 2050, the U.S. is well-positioned to be the source of agricultural products to feed a growing population. Moreover, global gross domestic product is expected to grow …
Drought Condition Overview Impacting Southern Crops
Drought conditions have impacted southern crop planting and USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey provided an overview of those conditions. Rippey said, “Core drought areas include the southern United States, portions of the Great Plains, and extending into the western United States. If you look at the regions, the southeast region, we are seeing at this time, not only do we have 99 percent …
Final Rule Implemented For Whole Milk For Healthy Kids Act
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced late last week that the USDA has issued the final rule implementing the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. The act restores whole and 2% milk options in federal child nutrition programs and according to the department supports, “America’s dairy farmers by ensuring schools and child nutrition providers can once again offer students …
Georgia Governor Signs Agriculture Bills
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 …
Weather Models Show Super El Nino Coming This Fall
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 …
Rural Electrification: The Moment That Transformed American Farms
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 …
Attention Cotton Growers: Georgia Ag Commodity Commissions Seeking Nominations
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 Finalizes Rule Regarding SNAP Retailers Stocking Standards
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 …










