By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers about enrollment in upcoming webinars hosted by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. The webinars’ focus is helping growers understand how the program helps meet industry demands while documenting and verifying sustainability practices already implemented in farms. Taylor Sills, executive director of the GCC, discusses the importance of enrolling in …
100 Year Anniversary: NFREC Celebrates Milestone
By Clint Thompson A celebration 100 years in the making occurred Friday at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Florida. The center which encompasses 1,000 acres, 13 active faculty members, seven emeritus faculty and three faculty from the Northwest Extension district, representing forage/small grains breeding, specialty crops …
Excitement Abounds with Sunbelt Ag Expo’s Return Oct. 19-21
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year makes for Chip Blalock and the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. A year ago at this time, the annual event scheduled in mid-October was canceled amid COVID-19. Blalock, executive director of the Expo, exudes excitement, however, for the event’s return on Oct. 19-21. It will mark the 43rd year that the …
GPC Promoting Peanuts Through Multiple Sports Outlets
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) is partnering with multiple sports organizations this fall to promote Georgia peanuts. Jessie Bland, manager of promotions and marketing at GPC, discusses the importance of GPC’s working relationship with such organizations as the Atlanta Braves, NASCAR and college football teams like the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern. “The Georgia …
USDA Invests $3 Billion in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers. The $3 billion in investments include assistance to address challenges and costs associated with drought, animal health, market disruptions for agricultural commodities and more. The support will be made available via the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Specifically, funds will be …
Educational Exploration: GPC Partnering with GPB for Special Event
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) is partnering with Georgia Public Broadcasting to educate students about agriculture and peanuts, the official state crop of Georgia. The two organizations are producing a Live event on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. at the Georgia Peanut Commission office in Tifton, Georgia. It is called Georgia Peanuts: Live Exploration in partnership …
GCC: Cotton Growers Be Wary of Defoliation Drift
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team remind growers about the importance of on-target defoliation applications. Defoliation is the process by which the plant’s leaves must be removed before the cotton can be harvested. This helps speed up the plant’s maturity. Producers make a chemical application and, approximately two weeks later, …
Excitement Surrounds Return of Sunbelt Expo
By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo is less than a month away. After last year’s cancellation amid the onset of COVID-19, growers, industry leaders and vendors are excited to return to the event, scheduled for Oct. 19-21. According to Becca Turner, vice president, marketing and public relations at Sunbelt, the number of registered individual exhibitors scheduled to come to …
Cotton Diseases a Factor for Georgia Producers
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait caution growers about various diseases that could be problematic over the final weeks of this year’s production season. Kemerait said the excessive rains this summer have sparked three diseases that growers need to be wary of. “With all the moisture we’ve had and with …
Cotton Defoliation: GCC/UGA Remind Producers About Timely Applications
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton Team remind producers about the importance of being timely with their defoliation applications. Timeliness leads to increased yields and better quality, says Camp Hand, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton agronomist. “We need to start thinking about defoliation, particularly, timing and being timely with our decisions,” …