It’s been a while since I’ve posted an article on the blog but not because there hasn’t been any activity during the summer that needed attention. On the contrary, I made some decisions that changed some of the directions I needed to go. In mid-June to late July, I’ve put in less time on the… Read More A Summer of Ups and Downs in our Corn Crop and Frustrating Politics
I published a portion of this topic last year and thought it appropriate to republish some of it due to current conditions. Growing degree units are accumulating at daily maximum and the heat (90 degrees+) will push the crop and it will be difficult to keep up with the daily water demand in corn. If… Read More Continued Dry Weather Keeps Pivots Moving
The Agriculture Department unveiled its first-ever equity action plan Thursday morning, outlining its goals for increasing access to its programs, following decades of criticism that the department left people of color, rural areas and others behind. As a part of the plan, the department calls on Congress to use the 2023 farm bill to make… Read More If You Haven’t Heard: USDA unveils its first Equity Action Plan
Late March and early April weather seems to have a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde complex. The last couple of days has gotten much colder. Just how long this back and forth warm/cold weather occurs remains to be seen. When it comes to our corn crop, should I be concerned? First, let me share where these temperatures… Read More Rain, cold weather frustrating corn progress
Corn plants requires a range of nutrients to develop normally and produce a high yielding and high quality crop. Yearly, soil test values provide valuable information on available nutrients and what may be needed to meet the crop demands of a yield goal. Plant analysis is an excellent in-season tool that can provide insight on… Read More Should You Use Plant Analysis as a Decision Making Tool?
Sometimes when I say the word “physiology” in a sentence, I suddenly see this distant gaze in a person’s eyes. Physiology, growth, development, enzymes, tissue are words that are not commonly used in a conversation unless you are talking about biology or some related science. On Mar. 13th, Georgia experienced below freezing temperatures ranging from… Read More A Good Reason to Know Corn Physiology
The last couple of months have been difficult for many Georgia growers. Rising input costs, uncertainties in the market, supply chains issues, rapidly rising energy costs, inflation, changes in weather events, and life in general. Growers frequently lean on the different ag associations to collectively voice many of their concerns and rightfully so. The last… Read More Commodity Classic, Rising Input Cost, Ukraine-Russia War
I suspect the foremost decision-making factors in moving towards a new crop season this year are input prices and the resulting return on your investment. As I check the futures market, I am comforted by the fact that cotton and soybean prices are very good and corn, slightly above average, while Georgia’s peanut price per… Read More Time for Planning and Decision Making on this Summer Crop Season
The Biden administration is temporarily imposing a vaccine mandate on noncitizens entering the country, which could pose a problem for farmers. This will impose mandates on all H-2A Visa holders and also truck drivers crossing the border. This is likely to reduce available temporary workers this spring while it appears the need for more workers… Read More Another Short D.C. Update that affects U.S.:
New Climate Friendly Signup Concludes January 25 ATHENS, GEORGIA, Jan. 11, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced several new and expanded opportunities for conservation programs that lend to climate-smart agriculture production in fiscal year 2022. Among these is the Cover Crop Initiative (CCI) that incentivizes the… Read More USDA Announces Targeted Cover Crop Initiative for Georgia
Georgia Corn Growers Blog 