U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year, according to the Crop Production report issued by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Up 2 percent from 2016, soybean production is forecast at 4.38 billion bushels, while corn growers are expected to decrease their production by 7 percent from last year, forecast at 14.2 billion bushels. Up 7 percent …
McMillan Advises Horse Owners to Vaccinate for EEE & West Nile Virus
Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan announces that a horse has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the department’s diagnostic laboratory in Auburn. The horse was presented for treatment at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine from the neighboring state of Georgia. In addition, Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) has reported that the sentinel chickens, used to detect …
Crop Production for August-Southern Region
U.S. corn production for 2017 is forecast at 14.2 billion bushels, down 7 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 169.5 bushels per acre. Soybean production is forecast at a record high 4.38 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last year. All cotton production is forecast at 20.5 million 480-pound bales, …
UF Scientists Work on the ‘Essence’ of Better-Tasting Tomato Juice
If you’re yearning for a better-tasting tomato juice, University of Florida scientists in their labs, working on satisfying your palette. Essence, usually extracted from a plant to add flavor or provide a scent, according to a new UF/IFAS study, can be used to improve juice flavor. Using volatile capture, UF/IFAS scientists obtained the essence from the tomatoes, said Paul Sarnoski, …
Cotton Harvest is Underway
The 2017 cotton harvest is underway, including Texas, which is the number one cotton-producing state in the nation. Cotton pickers have begun rolling across southern Texas. Farmers say early yields are good and may actually be higher than yields in 2016. In some areas across southern Texas, early reports say farmers are getting 2.5 bales of cotton on dryland acres. …
USDA Reports Preview
The August World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates will include the first USDA yield estimates of the season. The August report has historically pushed the markets up or down significantly. In January, USDA predicted the corn yield at just under 171 billion bushels. Farm Journal’s AgWeb.com says most analysts agree that Thursday’s estimate will likely come in well under the …
National Potato Council on Continued Mexican Potato Ban
A Mexican judge recently made a decision to continue the ban on importing U.S. potatoes into most of Mexico. Imports are currently allowed in land close to the U.S. – Mexican border but are prohibited from going further into the country. The NPC says the ruling ignores science and interferes with the role of the Mexican plant health regulatory authority. …
Foreign Investment in U.S. Farmland Rising
A Chinese firm made big news in 2013 by spending $4.7 billion to acquire U.S. processor Smithfield Foods. In that same deal, the company also acquired over 146,000 acres of U.S. farmland worth more $500 million. The group, now known as WH Group Limited, became one of the largest foreign owners of U.S. land. That purchase is part of a …
Georgia Peanut Tour Early Registration Deadline Approaching!
Early bird registration ends this Friday, August 11. Rates increase by $15 on August 12. Please register by this Friday to receive your Georgia Peanut Tour shirt at registration! DATE: September 19-21, 2017 LOCATION: Albany, Ga. and surrounding area Host hotel: Merry Acres Inn The 31st annual Georgia Peanut Tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand …
Poll: Tax Reform Needed for Farmers and America
A commanding majority of American voters support tax reform, a nationwide poll shows, while most voters also support tax changes that would benefit America’s farm and ranch families. The survey conducted by Morning Consult found that seven out of 10 voters agreed passing tax reform legislation should be a priority for Congress. More than half of voters polled also expressed …