The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) encourages all farmers to fill out a ballot for the referendum that determines if producers will reaffirm the commission or not. All ballots must be postmarked by April 16. According to the Georgia Peanut Commission, state law mandates a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut farmers invest $2 per ton to fund the …
Expanded Use of E15 Benefits Farmers and Consumers Alike
By Ashley Robinson Expanded availability and use of E15 will benefit farmers, consumers and the environment, says Kim Reddin, director of development for the Colorado Corn Administration. On March 12, the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced its approval of a change in fuel requirements that will allow E15 to be sold year-round in the Kansas City metro area, one …
GCC: USDA Plantings Report Comparable to National Cotton Council’s Projections
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Prospective Plantings report estimates Georgia cotton acreage at around 1.2 million acres for the upcoming season. It would be comparable to what the National Cotton Council projected earlier this year, says Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC). “Earlier this year, the National Cotton Council projected Georgia to plant around 1.1 million …
GPC Increases Research Funds
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) increased its research funding this year in a continued effort to improve peanuts produced in the state. As voted by its board of directors during the commission’s March meeting, the GPC is dedicating $886,235 in research funding for the 2021-22 budget year. It approves projects for 42 proposals, from the University of Georgia, Abraham Baldwin …
Georgia Agribusiness Council Pleased with Legislative Session
The 2021 Georgia State Legislative Session has officially wrapped up. With respect to agriculture, Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley says it was a good session. Bentley says they were also pleased with the news that the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously rejected the long-running lawsuit between Georgia and Florida over the use of water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. …
Alabama Cotton Acreage a Mystery
Just a few weeks before the start of cotton planting in Alabama and Extension cotton specialist Steve Brown is uncertain how acreage will look in 2021. So many factors remain in play. Has the wet weather delayed or prevented some corn acreage, which will lead to more cotton? Will the current up-and-down nature of cotton prices have an impact? “It’s …
Fertilizer Prices Up Dramatically
Fertilizer prices are up dramatically this spring, increasing input costs for growers. Data from the Department of Agriculture shows prices are up between 17% and 57% since the fall. David Widmar of Agricultural Economics Insights says that while nitrogen often gets the most attention, phosphorus prices are up the most. Anhydrous ammonia and urea are up 37% from the fall, …
Cotton Trust Protocol: GCC Encourages Producer Participation
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) continues to encourage state producers to enroll in the Cotton Trust Protocol. The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol was established by growers through the National Cotton Council to promote sustainability efforts of the American cotton producer. Just recently, the National Cotton Council announced that U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol had passed a milestone of welcoming more than …
USDA Seeks Public Comment on Revised Conservation Practice Standards
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. The proposed revisions were published earlier this month, and all comments are due April 8. The proposed revisions include: Stream Crossing- modification to allow vented fords as an alternative. Waste Treatment – Milk House- …
Fertilizer in Furrow: UGA Extension Advises Farmers Against Practice
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension peanut agronomist Scott Monfort didn’t recommend applying fertilizers in furrow before his research last year. He certainly doesn’t recommend it now. Peanut producers are a couple of weeks away from planting this year’s crop. Monfort cautions farmers against the myth that applying fertilizers in furrow yields positive results. What’s the Point? There’s no upside to …