Georgia Beef Month Promotions Continue

Clint Thompson Beef, Georgia

May Beef Month continues in Georgia, and various promotions are underway to get the beef message out to consumers. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Executive Vice President, Dale Sandlin, explains how they are getting that message out. For more information about your Beef Checkoff go to the GBB website. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch …

Cotton Planting is Ahead of Schedule

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Field Crops, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

Last week, cotton planting progressed in many areas of the country. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says cotton planting is ahead of schedule. But Rippey says the current pace of peanut planting is behind the 5-year average. In Alabama, 41% of the cotton crop has been planted, which compares to 43% last year. The 5-year average is 42%. For the peanut …

Stink Bugs Already a Problem

Clint Thompson Alabama, Corn, Cotton, Florida, Georgia, Pest/Pest Control, Soybeans

By Clint Thompson Corn growers across the Southeast need to already be on the lookout for stink bugs, says Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer. “I would caution growers to get their plans in place and start scouting early. We’ve already started seeing southern green stink bugs and stink bug nymphs down in southern Alabama. Adults are …

Alabama General Fund Budget Increases Funding for Agriculture

Clint Thompson Alabama

Agriculture and forestry would benefit from increased funding under a General Fund (GF) budget approved last week by the Alabama Legislature. According to the Alabama Farmers Federation, the package, funded at almost $2.4 billion, awaits action by Gov. Kay Ivey, who could sign or veto the bill, or add executive amendments. The Legislature is set to reconvene next Monday, May …

USDA Reminds Florida Producers to Complete Crop Acreage Reports

Clint Thompson Florida

(GAINESVILLE, Fl) – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices in Florida are currently open to phone and virtual appointments only but can still work with producers on timely filing crop acreage reports. FSA staff can provide assistance over the phone, by email and through virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams. Acreage reporting dates vary by crop and by county. Contact your …

Soliciting Peanut Butter Product Bids

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Tuesday, May 12 is the deadline for the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to accept bids on a list of peanut butter and peanut products. According to a story from Tyron Spearman, the products need to be packages that are ready for shipment for USDA domestic programs. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …

Cotton Demand Continues to Drop

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Demand for cotton has plummeted across the world. It’s reflected in the latest cotton prices update. They show cotton futures prices set at 56 cents per pound. In the latest UGA Cotton Team Newsletter, the supply chain is severely impacted globally by COVID-19, according to Yangxuan Liu, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension economist. She said, “an unexpected …

Florida to Receive $23 Million in Aquaculture and Fisheries Assistance via CARES Act Stimulus

Clint Thompson Aquaculture, Florida, Legislative

Tallahassee, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the allocation of $300 million in federal assistance for fisheries provided by the CARES Act stimulus package. These funds will be available for coastal and marine fishery participants negatively affected by COVID–19. Florida will receive $23.6 million of this funding to aid the state’s commercial fishing and aquaculture industries. The Florida Department of …

Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 05-08-2020

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Livestock

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 8, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: Feeder Steers: Medium and Large Frame 1-2 300-400 lbs####133.00-180.50 400-500 lbs####128.00-150.00 500-600 lbs####115.00-140.00 600-700 lbs####105.00-127.00 Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large Frame 1-2 300-400 lbs####116.00-145.00 400-500 lbs####105.00-137.00 …

America’s Meatpacking Facilities Practicing Safe Reopening to Ensure a Stable Food Supply

Clint Thompson Cattle, General

(Washington, D.C., May 8, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the United States. These meatpacking facilities have resumed or plan to resume operations this week following President Trump’s Executive Order directing the facilities to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of …