By Frank Giles The North Carolina Blueberry Council presented its 57th annual open house and trade show on Jan. 10–11 in Fayetteville. The event drew area growers to learn about the latest research from North Carolina State University (NC State) and to check out the latest products and services available on the trade show floor. Bill Cline, NC State entomologist …
An Advocate for All Growers
By Clint Thompson Karla Thompson is a lawyer by training and farmer by marriage. That combination makes her one of the Southeast’s leading advocates for growers. “I think with advocacy work it really helps because I understand the misperceptions and ideas that people have about the ag industry because I had them myself,” Thompson says. “Before I got involved in …
FDOC Promoting OJ Sales
The demand for orange juice (OJ) would decline by 11.3% without the awareness produced by Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) promotional activities, the Florida Citrus Commission was told in December. Marisa Zansler, FDOC economic and market research director, delivered that message in summarizing a recent report by Lisa House, chair of the University of Florida’s Food and Resource Economics Department. House’s report …
Farm Land’s Value is Like a ‘Gold Rush’ in the Southeast
By Clint Thompson Land values are high. So are the number of buyers hoping to purchase farmland in the Southeast. Producers have been more prone to sell their land amid the challenging agricultural landscape and the reality that children and grandchildren may not follow in their farming footsteps. While one can’t blame a farmer for selling patches of land for …
Potato Production, Price Update
Potato production was down in 2022 as planted acres and yield production dropped, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. Production is down 3% from last year due mostly to a decrease of 2% in planted acres. It is the first time that annual potato production has declined five straight years since 1866. …
Buyers, Shellers Increase Interests in Purchasing Pecans
Pecan harvests continue to wind down across Georgia. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, commercial buyers and shellers have increased their interest in purchasing pecans to fill orders. However, some farmers are keeping their crop stored until after the new year. They are waiting for prices to adjust amid a harvest season where total pounds available …
Labor Challenges Increase Farm Economy Pressures
Labor demands continue to stretch thin the farming operations of specialty crop producers across the U.S., with rising wage rates and record usage of the H-2A visa program. Meaningful reforms to the federal government’s guest worker program must be a priority for Congress by the end of the year. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), along with more than 350 …
Georgia Ag Forecast Meeting Set for Jan. 27, 2023
By Clint Thompson Georgia specialty crop producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for the annual Georgia Ag Forecast meeting, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Amanda Smith, senior public service associate in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), discussed what attendees can expect …
TFI Statement on Congressional Deal to Avoid Rail Carrier Strike
ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applauded Congress for taking action to avert an economically devastating rail strike. “TFI thanks Congress for its swift work this week to implement the September Tentative Agreements (TAs) reached by rail carriers and union leadership to avert a rail strike that would have severely disrupted delivery of fertilizer to farmers as well as …
TFI Applauds Swift Congressional Action to Avert Rail Shutdown
ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) applauded Congress for taking action to avert an economically devastating rail strike. “TFI thanks Congress for its swift work this week to implement the September Tentative Agreements (TAs) reached by rail carriers and union leadership to avert a rail strike that would have severely disrupted delivery of fertilizer to farmers as well as …