Cotton Farmers Need to Monitor for Stink Bug Populations

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

The time is now for cotton farmers to monitor stink bug populations. But University of Georgia Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts pleads with growers not to apply insecticides if you do not have to. Let beneficial insects do their job, which could also help with the current whitefly outbreak. “If you use an insecticide to kill stink bugs, you’re going …

USDA Has Programs to Help Small-Scale Meat Processors

Clint Thompson Alabama, Beef, Florida, Georgia

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many across the country have looked at what it would take to get meat supplies from those closer to home. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) actually has programs that can help small-scale meat processors. USDA’s Undersecretary for Food Safety, Mindy Brashears, says the pandemic has underscored the …

Cattlemen Hail Gov. Ivey, CARES Act to Provide Payment to Cattle Producers

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cattle

MONTGOMERY, Ala.— The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) hails Gov. Kay Ivey for her approval of the Alabama Agricultural Stabilization Program, which includes $10.5 million for the beef cattle industry. Funding is provided as part of the $1.8 billion Alabama received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and will be implemented through the Department of Agriculture and …

Farmers Federation Welcomes State Coronavirus Relief Funds for Agriculture

Clint Thompson Alabama, Coronavirus

Written by Jeff Helms MONTGOMERY, Ala., Date — The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed today’s announcement from Gov. Kay Ivey of $26 million for farmers, ranchers and agricultural operations hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.  “We appreciate Gov. Ivey and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate working with our members and other stakeholders to assess losses resulting from market disruption …

Cotton Board Recommends $80 Million Cotton Incorporated Budget to Ag Secretary

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) – The Cotton Board recently held its 2020 annual meeting. During this virtual meeting, board members serving the Cotton Research and Promotion Program reviewed, analyzed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s 2021 budget of $80 million to the Secretary of Agriculture. This budget recommendation reflects a decrease of over $8 million from 2020. Even with decreased funding, the …

Rising Crop Production Estimates for Corn and Beans

Clint Thompson Alabama, Corn, Florida, Georgia, Soybeans

It was not a question of if but how much corn and soybean crop production estimates increased from the previous year. Rod Bain has the latest corn, soybean and winter wheat numbers from USDA’s August Crop Production reports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded …

U.S. Peanut Production Forecast Up 13%

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2020 crop production estimates today. Tyron Spearman reports the new forecast shows a 13% increase from last year’s peanut crop. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober …

U.S. Cotton Production Down from Last Year

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released its August crop reports today and Chris Hawthorn, field crops section head with NASS in Washington D.C., says the U.S. cotton production estimate is down 9% from last year’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 18.1 million 480-pound bales, down 9% from 2019. All cotton planted area totaled 12.2 million acres, unchanged from …

NAMI Provides Comments to Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Livestock

On behalf of the members of the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute), Vice President of Regulatory and Scientific Programs Susan Backus provided comments during the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services’ virtual meeting on the Scientific Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. “The benefits of meat and poultry consumption as part of healthy, balanced dietary …

EPA Decision This Fall Critical to ’21 Growing Season

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

While cotton and soybean farmers are no longer allowed to use three important dicamba products – Engenia, Xtendimax and Fexapan – for this season, questions remain on whether the products will be available for use for the 2021 season. University of Georgia Extension weed scientist Stanley Culpepper said the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will determine this fall if these herbicides …