The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently started issuing its weekly crop progress reports. For the week that ended April 18, NASS reports in Alabama, there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork; in Florida 6.3 days; while in Georgia, there were 6.1 days.. Corn planted in Alabama was at 60%, which compares to 59% last year and the 5-year …
Alabama Legislative Session Entering the ‘Home Stretch’
With just seven legislative days remaining, the 2021 Alabama Legislative Session is entering the ‘Home Stretch’ according to Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin Beasley. She discusses what is left for legislators to tackle this session and also says they are looking forward to a breakfast that ACA is hosting this week. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, …
Weather Hasn’t Been Conducive for Planting Peanuts in Florida
When USDA released its 2021 Planting Intentions Report in March, it noted there will be 2% less acres going to peanuts this year than what we saw in 2020. In Florida, acreage for peanuts was estimated at 180,000 acres, which is actually up 3% from last year. But in a phone conversation with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, Florida Peanut Producers Association …
Estimating the Greenhouse Gas Benefits of NRCS’ Applied Practices
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with agricultural producers to deliver voluntary climate solutions through climate-smart production decisions and practice applications. They have established conservation practice standards to guide the design, installation and maintenance of conservation practices. There are approximately 35 NRCS conservation practice standards that deliver quantifiable carbon sequestration and/or greenhouse gas reductions. On Thursday, April 29 at …
Ideas to Help Keep More Dairy Operators on the Farm
In order to stem the tide of dairy operation bankruptcies, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has some ideas to help keep more dairy operators on their farms. Gary Crawford has the story. Vilsack told a recent House Appropriations Subcommittee hearing that efforts to combat climate change could be a major opportunity for dairy producers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, …
Fertilizer Costs Shape Crop Production Expenses
The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service reports production costs for corn and other major commodities are shaped by fertilizer cost. From 2010 to 2019, fertilizer was a major expense in U.S. corn production, accounting for 33 to 44 percent of operating costs-a category that includes other variable expenses like seed, chemicals, fuel, and repairs. Fertilizer also comprised 16 to …
Produce Union Unhappy with USDA’s Cancellation of Food Box Program
A trade group in the fruit and vegetable industry is unhappy with the USDA’s decision to cancel the Farmers to Families Food Box Distribution Program. United Fresh says millions of Americans gained access to healthy, fresh produce throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the decision by Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack “shortsighted.” The group says comments disparaging the program were a slap …
GCC Approves Research Funding
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) recently approved $745,094 in research for the 2022 crop year and an additional $42,050 for the 2021 crop year. “We had our board meeting on March 31 where we went through our research proposals. It’s about shy of a $50,000 increase for 2021 to 2022. We also put in some additional money for 2021,” says …
UGA Extension Peanut Agronomist: Don’t Be in a Rush to Put Peanuts in the Ground
Peanut planting will begin soon in Georgia. University of Georgia (UGA) Extension peanut agronomist Scott Monfort hopes not too soon, however, considering the cool nights still being experienced throughout the state. “The biggest thing is conditions. I know everybody’s chomping at the bit right now to start planting, and we’ve got at least one more week where we’re dropping down …
Two Weeks Left in Florida Legislative Session
There are only two weeks remaining in the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, and according to the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, things are moving along pretty well for the ag community. Day 60 and the scheduled end to the Florida Legislative Session is April 30. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board …