Though concern exists about impending recession in the U.S., the traditional economic indicators of recession aren’t yet apparent. This is especially true in the agricultural sector, says Georgia’s State Fiscal Economist Jeffrey Dorfman, a professor of agricultural and applied economics in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The interesting question is, if I run a business …
Pre-Registration for Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo Closes Aug. 12
By Clint Thompson Those farmers and industry leaders interested in attending this year’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo are reminded that pre-registration closes Friday, August 12, 2022, at 11:59 a.m. The event, slated for Aug. 17-18 at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, Florida, has already attracted strong response from vendors and farmers planning to attend. “We’re having a …
UGA Griffin Campus to Host Turfgrass Field Day
The University of Georgia (UGA) Griffin Campus will host its Turfgrass Field Day on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UGA’s Griffin campus. The field day will appeal to golf course superintendents and homeowners looking to produce the perfect lawn. “After four long years we are excited to bring back the UGA Turfgrass Research Field Day,” …
Lack of Mangoes Impacts UF/IFAS Research
By Clint Thompson As predicted, Florida’s mango supply was severely impacted by the chilling temperatures experienced in January. Producers did not have the usual crop this season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher Alan Chambers was not able to conduct part of his research. The plant geneticist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center …
More Rain, Less Drought Across Southeast
The more it rains, the less drought that is being experienced across the Southeast. Dry conditions continue to subside in Florida and Georgia, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. While about half of Georgia is abnormally dry, there are considerably less moderately dry conditions. Those are located in a couple of areas across the state, including around …
Freedom to Farm Bill Passes in Georgia
By Clint Thompson The Freedom to Farm bill in Georgia was a legislative win for the state’s specialty crop producers. Just ask Will Bentley, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. “Freedom to Farm was the biggest bill, probably, we’ve had pass in a long time,” said Bentley, whose organization was an avid supporter of the bill. ONE LESS WORRYThere is …
Gas, Diesel Prices Drop Across Country
Gas and diesel prices continue to drop across the U.S. but are still substantially higher than this last year. According to AAA, the national average for regular unleaded gasoline on July 20 was $4.46 per gallon, compared to $4.63 a week ago and $4.98 a month ago. But it is still considerably more than the $3.16 consumers paid a year …
Rain’s Impact on Diseases in Peaches
By Clint Thompson The increase in rainfall across the Southeast is having minimal impact on diseases in the region’s peach crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Extension fruit disease specialist, discusses the current scenario facing producers as harvests continue. “Thankfully, we’re no longer drought stressed in a lot of the locations, which is good. There’s been an increase in disease …
UF/IFAS Conducts $278M in Annual Research
Research conducted at the University of Florida in agricultural sciences and natural resources conservation topped previous years’ spending totals in the latest figures reported to the National Science Foundation. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers reported a total of $277.9 million spent during their projects in the fiscal year that ended June 30, the highest …
AFBF Asks for USDA Help with Fertilizer Supplies
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take steps to ensure America’s farmers continue to have access to fertilizer supplies. AFBF submitted comments on USDA’s “Request for Information on Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns.” AFBF outlined various factors that have combined to create shortages and increase fertilizer costs including …