By Clint Thompson Peanut digging has begun in some fields across Georgia. The process will ramp up next week, according to Scott Monfort, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peanut agronomist. He discussed the peanut crop during the UGA Cotton and Peanut Field Day on Wednesday. “We are beginning to see some (peanuts) come up in the state; a couple of …
National Peanut Board Launches Bold New Brand: “It’s Not Nuts, It’s Peanuts” Just as peanut farmers begin to start digging the peanuts, the National Peanut Board has announced a bold, game-changing branding platform aimed at reshaping how consumers view peanuts across the country. “It’ll give peanuts a voice and a fresh place in culture.” Unveiled during a live stream event …
Trump Administration Set to Propose New Clean Water Act Rule, Rolling Back Wetlands Protections The Trump administration is preparing to propose a new Clean Water Act rule that may eliminate federal protections for many wetlands across the United States, according to an internal EPA presentation obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News. “Under the proposed rule, the federal government would regulate wetlands …
Fed Rate Cut Likely in September, CME FedWatch Shows 85–87% Probability As the Federal Reserve’s September meeting approaches, market expectations for an interest rate cut have surged. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, there is now an 85 to 87 percent chance that the Federal Reserve Board will cut interest rates at the conclusion of the meeting. This represents a …
As the U.S. cotton crop moves closer to harvest, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its August cotton crop progress and condition report. According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, the crop is developing at a slightly slower pace than average, with regional differences and weather-related stress impacting progress. “Taking a look at the cotton crop, we did pass …
As August comes to a close, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is drawing attention to the latest corn and soybean crop progress, emphasizing how late-summer weather has influenced maturity and condition ratings. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey offers critical insight into the state of the nation’s crops amid developing drought conditions. “Looking at the key production states, 18 of them, …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will discontinue the Farm Labor Survey, a decision that may have significant implications for farm wage reporting and the future of agricultural labor programs like H-2A. According to a filing in the Federal Register, USDA is ending the long-standing survey due to “recent improvements to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of …
Early Recognition of Forest Stewardship Even as America’s early settlers were clearing land to establish homesteads and plant crops, the government recognized the importance of protecting and managing the nation’s forests. By the mid-19th century, concerns about forest conditions and sustainability began to take shape in national policy. Establishing Federal Oversight In 1876, Congress created an office within the U.S. …
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid is the newest threat to Georgia’s cotton industry. It has forced University of Georgia entomologist Phillip Roberts to redirect all of his resources this year to learn more about the pest and what can be done to halt its impact on the cotton industry. “There’s no question that this insect has really exploded in …
The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than 50 years before one of its most impactful programs came to life. With the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, the USDA Extension Service was officially created. This initiative formed a partnership between the USDA and land-grant universities to …
