Camp Hand is the new University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Cotton Agronomist. After an extended period without an agronomist in place at UGA, the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) is excited for the newest member of the UGA Cotton Team, says GCC Executive Director Taylor Sills. “The University of Georgia has hired Dr. Camp Hand who is a recent Ph.D. graduate …
Concerns with Repealing the Stepped-Up Basis Tax Provision
The Family Business Estate Tax Coalition (FBETC) released an EY study this week, quantifying the impact a repeal of stepped-up basis would have on family businesses. The EY study found that family-owned businesses and the local economies they support would be hit hardest by a repeal. Based on the analysis of the study, this tax increase, whether via tax at …
Battle Continues Against Palmer Amaranth
What is the most challenging pest facing Georgia farmers? According to a University of Georgia (UGA) Extension survey, it’s not an insect or disease. It’s a weed, and that weed is named Palmer amaranth. UGA Extension weed scientist Stanley Culpepper issued the survey to gauge the severity of Palmer amaranth compared to other annual pests. The results were staggering. Of …
NMPF Supports Labeling Integrity Through DAIRY PRIDE Act
This week, the DAIRY PRIDE Act, a bill that would bring clear, accurate labeling information for consumers and end harmful mislabeling of dairy foods by peddlers of plant-based products, was re-introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. The legislation requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce its own existing standards of identity on imitated dairy products …
Overgrown Mint
What to do when your mint plants have taken over the garden. Cathy Isom explains on today’s This Land of Ours. While there are a number of uses for mint plants, invasive varieties, can quickly take over the garden. Other than placing barriers deep in the ground to prevent their runners from spreading, growing mint in containers is probably the best …
USDA Offering New Incentives for CRP Enrollment
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. This includes investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects and $25 million for …
Registration Open for 2021 Southern Peanut Growers Conference
The 22nd Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference will be held July 15-17, 2021 at the Edgewater Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida. The three-day event will provide farmers with information about peanut production, legislative issues, marketing and promotions. In addition to the conference sessions, the event will focus on the family by offering a ladies program and a golf tournament. …
USDA to Provide Debt Relief for Socially Disadvantaged Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants producers to know the American Rescue Plan includes provisions for USDA to pay up to 120% of loan balances, as of January 1, 2021, for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Direct and Guaranteed Farm Loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans debt relief to any socially disadvantaged producer who has a qualifying loan with FSA. …
Weather Forecast? Ag Climatologist Hopeful No Drought This Growing Season
What was supposed to be wasn’t with the La Nina weather pattern this winter. Expected warm and dry conditions gave way to cool and wet conditions that lasted through February. Persistent rains this winter provides hope for farmers that they will avoid a drought during the growing season, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “(South Georgia) hasn’t …
NRCS Thanks Earth Team Volunteers on Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been honoring individuals all this week from all walks of life who volunteer for Earth Team. Earth Team volunteers help NRCS and districts carry out their conservation mission. The program allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to provide a wide range of services …