Thinking outside the box with Thursday’s Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day yielded positive results, says Chip Blalock, executive director of the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. It went so good, the new-look drive-thru version may become the new normal. “When you do something for the first time, you really don’t know what to expect,” Blalock said. “But when they were …
COVID-19 Pandemic Caused Run on Peanut Butter
The Director of Commodities for the J.M. Smucker Company recently confirmed that the COVID-19 Pandemic caused a run on peanut butter that emptied grocery shelves. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Georgia Beef Producers Approve Continuation of Beef Checkoff
Georgia beef producers voted to continue the $1 per head assessment for beef cattle through the renewal of the Beef Commission Marketing Order. Voting members renewed the assessment the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Beef with a 79% favorable vote. “The 79.48% was a strong affirmation by Georgia beef producers that the funds are important and the projects funded are …
USDA Making Improvements to Livestock Gross Margin Insurance Program
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced changes to the Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) insurance program for cattle and swine beginning in the 2021 crop year. Changes include adding premium subsidies to assist producers and moving premium due dates to the end of the endorsement period for cattle. According to a story from Gary Crawford, the changes may make it …
Big Trade Surplus in Most Red Meats
Right now, the U.S. is seeing a big trade surplus in most red meat categories. But according to a story from Gary Crawford, that does not include beef. We may actually import more beef this year than we export. USDA Economist Bart Kenner looks at the U.S. red meat import situation during the first eight months of the 2020 fiscal …
Alabama Row Crops Look Promising, Though Dry Weather Could be a Factor
This year’s production season has provided favorable conditions so far for Alabama’ row crop producers. That soon may change, though, if the current dry, hot conditions continue. Audrey Gamble, assistant professor and Extension specialist at Auburn University, said cotton growers need to especially be wary of their crops’ potassium levels. “In a year where we have drought mid-season, we might …
Whitefly Populations Exploding in Cotton
Scorching temperatures and dry conditions could make an already tough whitefly season even worse for cotton growers, according to Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist in Tifton, Georgia. “In cotton, populations can build so rapidly. Whiteflies really thrive in hot, dry conditions. They’ve just exploded in some localized areas in the last 10 days. The last 10 …
USDA Provides Update on Investigation Following 2019 Tyson Beef Plant Closure and COVID-19 Pandemic
USDA (Washington, D.C., July 22, 2020) – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation. “The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire …
NCBA Kicks Off Campaign to Generate Dietary Guidelines Comments
WASHINGTON (July 22, 2020) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) launched a nationwide grassroots campaign today to highlight the #BenefitsofBeef and is calling on cattle producers to submit public comments in support of federal dietary guidelines that recognize beef’s role in a healthy diet. The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) released its Scientific Report last week, laying the groundwork …
Changes Noted in Peanut Supply and Disappearance
A few changes were noted in this month’s peanut supply and disappearance report. Tyron Spearman runs through the updated numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement …