Week eight of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly saw more talk about the Right to Farm Bill (HB 545), but there was also action concerning hemp legislation, and it has been another topic that many have been following. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley has an update on both of those issues, along with looking at …
Another Frost Event Likely for Parts of Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson The Southeast is not out of the woods for a late frost event, which could be costly for peach producers and blueberry growers in Georgia and Alabama. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension climatologist, said some blueberry farmers are especially concerned since their plants have already started producing a crop. “Because it’s been such a warm …
UPW Trainings in Georgia Offered Throughout March
By Clint Thompson The Using Pesticides Wisely (UPW) program that has helped Georgia drastically reduce pesticide drift complaints to the Cooperative Extension Service since 2015 will be offered again this year, beginning Monday, March 9 in Taylor County, Georgia, according to University of Georgia Extension weed specialist Stanley Culpepper. “Those growers who were trained last year with these tools have …
Georgia Cattle Producers Benefit from Beef Checkoff
The Beef Checkoff program, established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill, continues to collect only $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. It was designed to increase the profit opportunities for producers across the country. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Executive Vice President, …
Peanut Butter and Jelly Day in Atlanta
March is National Peanut Month and the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) kicked off the celebration with their annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Day at the State Capital in Atlanta. Tyron Spearman was there and has the story. Celebrate March – National Peanut Month The Georgia peanut industry joins together to celebrate National Peanut Month in March and donate peanut butter to the …
Get Applications Ready for Georgia Block Grant Program
It was announced last week that applications for Farm Recovery Block Grants for Georgia farmers and forest landowners affected by Hurricane Michael will soon be accepted. According to Tyron Spearman, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) will begin accepting online applications for the $347 million in block grant funds on March 18, 2020. Georgia farmers and forest landowners will need …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 02-28-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended February 28, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended-February 28, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 8,700 head compared to 9,650 last week and 9,047 …
Farm Recovery Block Grants to Aid Georgia Forest Landowners
By Clint Thompson Chuck Williams, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, believes the Farm Recovery Block Grants for Georgia farmers and forest landowners will aid an industry devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 but not make it whole. “In Southwest Georgia, so many of the landowners that suffered timber damage were also row crop and cattle farmers that suffered a …
Georgia Right to Farm Bill Good for Agriculture
Week seven of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly saw more talk about a bill that many in agriculture are being asked to speak up about. Georgia’s Right to Farm Bill, HB 545, is one that Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley says is good for agriculture. To keep track of this and other bills during the …
EQIP Sign-Up Deadline in Georgia is Friday
Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind agricultural producers and landowners in Georgia that Friday, Feb. 28 is the deadline to apply for fiscal year 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. This is for all general EQIP, as well as some special initiatives such as the Longleaf Pine, On-Farm Energy, …