Agricultural producers are facing more transportation issues as it relates to trucking challenges. The cost of shipping has been steadily increasing over the past year. Additionally, there are reports of overall trucking shortages compounding the issue. Ag exporters have had a tough time dealing with overall transportation issues in recent months. Congestion at U.S. ports and the limited availability of …
Estimating Crop Yield With Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
A researcher at the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA) in Greece is using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to estimate crop yield. “Crop yield is the most important piece of information for crop management in precision agriculture. Early crop yield estimations allow farmers to optimize farm operation scheduling, field management and product marketing decisions,” said AUA associate professor Spyros Fountas. Fountas …
Ag Economy Barometer Mostly Unchanged from April
The April Ag Economy Barometer was 178, virtually unchanged from a month earlier. Last month, the index stood at 177, and just five points below its all-time high of 183 set back in October. Compared to March, however, there was a small change in producers’ perspective on the ag economy as they became more optimistic about the future, while their …
March Farm Tractor Sales Show Broad Growth, Close Positive First Quarter
According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, U.S. farm tractor unit sales extended their growth streak to 11 straight months. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 84.1% in March compared to 2020. Meanwhile, U.S. combine sales grew 6.7%. Curt Blades, AEM Senior Vice President of Ag Services, says, “It’s not just the length of time of this …
Agronomy Week is April 5-9
Agronomy Week runs today Monday, April 5 through Friday, April 9. It’s a week to salute agronomic professionals who play a key role in supporting farmer success, and it is hosted for the fifth consecutive year by the DEKALB, Asgrow, and Deltapine brands. The week-long event this year features a new FFA scholarship program, culminating in an exciting live television …
Crop Market Looks Strong, Producers Book Fall Loads
Row crop producers across the country are seeing rising prices and a positive crop market outlook. Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Economist Wendiam Sawadgo said prices are definitely higher than what producers have seen the past few years. “There have been a few factors at play,” Sawadgo said. “Trade with China, especially feed grains, has increased demands for US products. This is …
Alabama Extension Launches Crops Report Podcast
Alabama Extension wants producers across the state to know about the Alabama Crops Report Podcast. The podcast is where information about things like armyworms moving in or Southern rust conditions setting in can be found. The Alabama Extension crops team will bring their expertise to producers through this series, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. …
GAC Legislative Update, Annual Meeting Details
Week ten of the 2021 Georgia State Legislative Session saw action concerning the State Farmers Market and other issues of importance to agriculture. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley runs through some of those issues. The 40-day Georgia State Legislative session is scheduled to adjourn on April 2. Bentley also wants to remind GAC members their virtual annual meeting will be …
Governor Kemp to be Keynote Speaker at GAC meeting
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp will be the keynote speaker at the Georgia Agribusiness Council’s (GAC) virtual meeting on Wednesday, March 24 at 9 a.m. The event is free to GAC members and guests. But those interested need to pre-register ahead of time. Click here to register. Additional details and links will be sent closer to the meeting. If you are …
Legislation Introduced to Repeal Federal Estate Tax
Federal lawmakers have introduced legislation that would repeal the federal estate tax, often referred to as the death tax. U.S. Senator John Thune and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop and Jason Smith recently introduced the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2021. The bipartisan legislation has the support of nearly 150 lawmakers in both houses of Congress. Multiple agricultural groups have also …