A group of lawmakers is putting some weight on the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) in response to NASS cutting off some important reports. NASS cited budget restraints when it announced recently that it would stop producing several reports, including the July Cattle Report, the Cotton Objective Yield Survey, and County Estimates for Crops and Livestock reports. U.S. Representative …
The final 2023 USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) production for all cotton is estimated at 12.1 million 480?pound bales, 17 percent lower than the 2022 crop. The United States yield for all cotton is estimated at 899 pounds per acre, down 54 pounds from the previous year. Final production in Georgia totaled 2.18 million bales, down 18 percent from the previous season. In Alabama, production totaled 730,000 bales, …
Farmers are making fewer changes this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Low commodity prices, high input costs, and disappointing 2023 growing season results are influencing farmer decisions in 2024. The “2024 Farmer Speaks” survey reveals that farmers are taking a more conservative approach in their decision-making. They’re making fewer changes overall, driven by concerns about short-term …
A look at the cost of the Texas Panhandle wildfires. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economists project the Panhandle wildfires caused $123 million in preliminary agricultural losses, making it the costliest on record. The wildfires began on February 26 and burned 1.2 million acres, making it the largest wildfire in Texas …
(AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL/May 8, 2024) — Heirs property is common in Alabama. There is land in every county that is classified as heirs property, also known as family land. Whether families are attempting to develop or sell the land left by previous generations, the lack of a clear title makes it difficult for families to move forward. Adam Rabinowitz, an …
(Atlanta, GA/May 8,2024) — Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has announced that 12 of Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions are seeking nominations from producers to serve on their respective commissions. Nomination forms are available on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website and will be accepted until May 24, 2024. The Georgia Department of Agriculture administers these commissions, which oversee farmer-funded programs dedicated …
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a variety of programs that benefit producers across the Southeast in many ways and on many operations. This includes through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. And if you are an organic producer, yes this includes you. Last year, NRCS started providing assistance for a …
Herbicide damage is showing up in Southeast pecan orchards. This is the result of row-crop burndown, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. It also has some growers concerned about the potential impact of 2,4-D mix drift on this year’s crop. “This is never a pleasant situation. It tends to be infuriating, nerve-wracking, and worrisome,” Wells …
Optimism abounds for Alabama’s strawberry and peach crops this season. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), highlighted what he has heard from growers so far this year, starting with excitement geared towards a generational-type strawberry crop. “I’m hearing very good things about the strawberry crop. People are saying things like it’s a 10-year …
How NASA and ag have worked together for decades. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, more commonly known as NASA, made an appearance at the 2024 Washington Watch event in D.C. Brad Doorn, PhD, is the agricultural lead with NASA. He says the two fit together naturally. “NASA has been involved in …
