By Clint Thompson Crop rotations are essential for peanut production in Georgia. Peanuts need to be rotated every year to avoid the buildup of nematodes and disease pressure. But that may not matter to some growers this year, who may not rotate their crop to avoid paying high fertilizer costs. Bob Kemerait, University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist, has concerns …
Ag Exports Projected for $183.5 Billion for FY ’22
By Clint Thompson U.S. agricultural exports produced record results in 2021. The fiscal year (FY) 2022 forecast is projected to even eclipse that $177 billion number. Daniel B. Whitley, administrator in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, said projections are forecast for $183.5 billion for FY 2022. “This is unprecedented. This is unheard of,” Whitley said during the …
Alabama Peanut Acreage Could Eclipse Last Year’s Total
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s peanut producers farmed an estimated 186,000 acres last year. Jacob Davis, executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, is fearful this year’s crop may exceed those totals. “We’ve been 180,000-plus the last two years. We’re expecting to at least stay flat if not increase a little bit this year,” Davis said. “The biggest cost increase …
Georgia Cotton Commission, UGA Encourage Growers to Be Prepared for Planting Season
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team encourage producers to be prepared for the upcoming planting season. UGA Extension cotton agronomist Camp Hand believes growers need to be cost conscious when preparing to plant this year’s crop. It starts with ensuring the planters are ready to roll. “I would be making for sure …
Record-Breaking Exports Year Could Have Been Even Better
By Clint Thompson Records were made to be broken. It might have taken seven years, but the U.S. finally eclipsed its best exports mark in 2021. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), discusses the value of $177 billion of exports of U.S. farm and food products had in 2021. “I think everyone was expecting it to be …
GCC, UGA Extension Remind Growers About the Importance of Soil Sampling
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and University of Georgia Extension remind growers about the importance of soil sampling this time of year. With fertilizer prices skyrocketing in recent months, producers need to have a plan about what nutrients are needed in their soils, says Glen Harris, University of Georgia (UGA) Professor and Extension Agronomist in Environmental Soil …
GPC Research and Report Day: A Glimpse Into the Industry’s Future
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission’s (GPC) annual Research and Report Day on Wednesday highlighted ongoing projects from researchers at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and U.S. Department of Agriculture. It provided insight into the future of peanut production, says Donald Chase, research chairman at the GPC. “When we make our decisions in March …
GCC Highlights Cotton Trust Protocol During Annual Meeting
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers about the importance of enrolling in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. It was one of the topics highlighted during the commission’s annual meeting on Jan. 26. Kent Fountain, chairman of the National Cotton Council, discussed the importance of growers continuing to enroll in the program, now that it is more …
Decreased Acreage? Not Necessarily for Georgia Cotton
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cotton agronomist Camp Hand does not believe Georgia acreage will decrease this year. Not when money can still be made at the current market prices. Speculation about acreage is running rampant amid high fertilizer prices. Since corn and cotton utilize more fertilizer, there are concerns that peanut acreage could increase in 2022. …
Fungicide Availability a Concern for Peanut Growers
By Clint Thompson Fungicides were essential for Southeast peanut producers suppressing diseases during the rainy 2021 season. Bob Kemerait, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension plant pathologist, is concerned that growers may not have access to those same fungicides amid the current supply chain crisis. “If someone was to ask me what I think the biggest threat to peanut production going …