Week two of the 2021 Georgia State Legislative Session was a bit different, as lawmakers were involved in budget hearings. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) Public Affairs Manager, Jake Tench, explains what actually took place this week. To keep track of activities during the 2021 legislative session, go to the GAC website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board …
Treating the Plant Pathogen Verticillium Wilt Naturally
Common plant pathogens and how to treat them naturally. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’re familiar with verticillium wilt and various leaf blights, then you’ve already met a couple of the worst bacterial plant pathogens. Although these are soil-borne, they’re generally distributed by insects. Bugs bite through stems or roots, and the bacteria in their filthy …
AFBF’s USDA-NASS Working Group Report
(AFBF) — To help rebuild farmers’ trust in USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, a farmer-led working group put together by the American Farm Bureau has developed a series of recommendations for the agency. The recommendations focus on technology improvements and better communication from the agency, but the validity of the agency’s reports hinges on farmers’ full participation in NASS’ data …
COVID-19 Impacts Mental Health on the Farm
A strong majority of farmers and farm-workers say the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their mental health, according to a new American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) poll. The poll also indicates that more than half say they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago. The survey of rural adults and farmers/farmworkers reveals how the pandemic …
Interviews with Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture
We told you recently that Tom Vilsack, former Secretary of Agriculture, is President Joe Biden’s pick to once again hold that position. And according to a story from Tyron Spearman, the interview process for that to happen is underway. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher …
Florida Legislators Looking at State Finances Ahead of 2021 Session
(NSF) — A top Florida economist mentioned in a ????? article told lawmakers last week that financial problems could linger for a couple of years because of the resurging coronavirus pandemic. This comes as first-time unemployment claims tripled in the first full week of 2021. Amy Baker, the coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, says that …
Alabama 2020 Cotton Insect Losses Report
This week, the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service (ACES) released the 2020 Alabama Cotton Insect Losses Report. This report provides information about the causes and percentages of cotton crop losses due to insects. The report has been published since 1979 by Extension entomologists across the Cotton Belt, as estimates are based on Extension entomologists’ observations and informal surveys of other Extension personnel, …
Employment Opportunities Good for Ag Graduates
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report that projects strong employment opportunities for new college graduates interested in agriculture and related fields opened with a cautionary preface. Termed “A 2020 Pandemic Note,” it stated that the underlying study and preparation for the report began in September 2019, “when global socio-economic conditions were much different from today.” It stated that fewer …
USDA Forecast Calling for Lower Meat Production, Higher Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has lowered its expectations for meat production in most categories. But according to a story from Stephanie Ho, USDA is forecasting higher prices across all meat categories this year. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm …
Equipment Finance Industry Confidence Remains Steady
According to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, the January 2021 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI) remains steady with pre-pandemic levels. The index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $900 billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 59.6, unchanged …