The Beginning of Rural Electrification In the early 1930s, much of rural America lived without electricity. While cities were rapidly modernizing with electric lights, refrigeration, and indoor plumbing, many farming communities still relied on kerosene lamps, wood stoves, and hand-pumped water systems. According to historian and broadcaster Mark Oppold in this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, the push …
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 15, 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 15, 2026, receipts at 16 markets totaled 8,335 head compared to 11,038 last week and 8,741 last …
The Georgia Cotton Commission reminds its growers about opportunities to serve on multiple cotton organization leadership positions that will impact Georgia’s industry. This summer, certified producer/producer interest organizations will caucus to nominate individuals to represent Georgia producers to serve as directors and alternates on the board of Cotton Incorporated, delegates and alternates to the National Cotton Council of America, and …
By Clint Thompson It is estimated that about 25% of Georgia’s peanut acres have been planted so far this spring. But it is those acres planted right before the recent deluge of rainfall that has Scott Monfort, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peanut agronomist concerned. Monfort and the Georgia Peanut Commission caution growers to scout their plants regularly to ensure …
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board provides funding to research projects that benefit the cattle industry in Florida. We sat down with Dr. Mario Binelli who shared some details on how the funding from the Enhancement Board has enhanced Brahman genetics. “That is a beautiful program and we have been supported to conduct that program for at least five years. And …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the removal of lenders from the USDA Rural Development Lending program. The lenders removed from participation in the OneRD Guaranteed Lending program include portfolios with approximately $620 million in delinquent loans. According to the department this accounts for approximately 47% of Rural Development’s delinquent loans. Secretary Rollins said, ““The Trump Administration has absolutely …
Southern Ag today reports that the United States is a major competitor in producing agricultural products, but one area that erodes U.S. competitiveness is the increase in government regulations. Southern Ag reports that it shows that the total number of pages of the Code of Federal Regulations increased from around 15,000 in 1950 to around 190,000 today. If the cost of U.S. regulations were …
Earlier this week we shared that USDA had released the final rule for the Whole Milk For Healthy Kids implementation and we caught up with Bryce Trotter with the Georgia Milk Producers to learn their reaction. “Our dairy producers are excited to see this next step in bringing whole milk or 2% milk back to our schools. The rule issued by …
We’re familiar with the weekly crop ratings, various categories from very poor all the way up to excellent. The condition index is also part of the trade we don’t talk about often, but winter wheat index for mid-May is near the lowest in 40 years. Crop index, again considering all the ratings categories and then relates them to history, the 10-year average index for …
Life Before Electricity on the Farm By 1930, rural life in America looked vastly different from what we know today. More than 90% of rural homes still relied on kerosene lamps for lighting. When the sun went down, so did most daily activity. Illumination was dim, limited, and often hazardous. Without electricity, running water systems and indoor bathrooms were largely …
