U.S. Cotton Production Forecast for 2021 Up 21%

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released their January crop reports today. Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the 2021 U.S. cotton production estimate is up 21% from 2020’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 17.6 million 480-pound bales, up 21% from 2020. Based on conditions as of January 1, yields are expected to average 849 pounds per harvested …

Vilsack Announces Appointments to The Cotton Board

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of new members, alternates, and advisors to serve on The Cotton Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms. Newly appointed members: Michelle Tarry, Importer – NJ; and Tara Hoffmann, Importer – NY. Newly appointed alternate members: Caroline P. Collins, Producer – GA; Joe Cuervo, Importer – TX; and Scott C. Wagner, Importer – FL. Reappointed members: Adam …

Meat Production Slowing in the United States

Meat companies and union officials tell Reuters that rising COVID-19 infections among workers are forcing meat plants to slow production and the government to replace slaughter inspectors. Meatpacking was an early epicenter of COVID in 2020 and is now the latest sector to be disrupted by the Omicron variant. Cargill, one of the country’s top beef producers, operated a few …

Groups Want Dicamba Lawsuit Revived

A group of environmental organizations led by the Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity wants new life given to their lawsuit over dicamba registrations. DTN says the groups are asking a federal court to lift a stay and speed up their lawsuit demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency vacate the 2020 dicamba registrations of Engenia, Tavium, …

World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Crowns Eastern Qualifier

Daniel Mitchell of Cumberland, Ohio, was named Champion at the 2022 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Eastern Region qualifying event. Tri-State Livestock Market, located in Abingdon, Virginia, hosted the last of three WLAC qualifying events last Friday. A total of 25 contestants competed for a top ten placing, which would grant them a spot in the 2022 WLAC semifinals at …

Pork Exports May Top 2020’s Record Amount

Numbers from the U.S. Department of Commerce say exports of U.S. pork are on pace to top 2020’s record total of $7.7 billion. From January through November, the U.S. pork industry shipped more than $7.5 billion worth of products to foreign destinations, compared to just over $7 billion from the same period in 2020. The top five markets for American …

Common Diseases that Pose a Threat to Your Strawberry Crop

Some common diseases that pose a threat to your Strawberry crop.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are 5 common diseases that can cause big problems for your Strawberry plants, and if they become infected, the plants could die. One bacterial disease that’s tough to get rid of is Angular Leaf Spot. It’s smart only to plant …

GCC Encourages Enrollment for U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol

By Clint Thompson After one year in existence, the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® continues to be a major marketability tool for Georgia’s cotton producers. That’s why Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), encourages farmers to participate in the program.  “I would encourage all growers to sign up for it. It’s going to be a major tool …

Georgia Peanut Farm Show is Next Week

Peanut producers from across the Southeast will be able to improve the bottom-line of their farming operation with knowledge, connections and information gained at the 45th annual Georgia Peanut Farm?Show and Conference. It will be held at the University of Georgia Tifton?Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Ga. on Jan. 19-20. Tyron Spearman has more details. The Georgia Peanut Farm Show ­hours …

Alabama SWCC on Installation of Irrigation Pivots

Back in 2019, the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) worked with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) to identify watersheds that would have funding priority for new irrigation systems. To update that progress, Alabama SWCC Executive Director Dr. William Puckett, told Southeast AgNet this week about the four areas of the state they are working with. Learn more …