Author: Dewey Lee, State Executive Dir. Georgia Corn Growers Assn and University of Georgia Professor Emeritus

I currently serve as the State Executive Director of the Georgia Corn Growers Association and am owner of RDL Ag Services, LLC, a technical service provider in agriculture. Previously, I've served as a Professor and Extension Grains and Bio-energy Agronomist with the University of Georgia over 36 years. I retired in 2010 but rehired with the UGA and served in the same capacity till the end of 2017.

EPA Offers Clarity to Farmers in Light of Recent Court Decision on Dicamba Registrations

WASHINGTON (June 8, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a key order providing farmers with needed clarity following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ June 3, 2020 vacatur of three dicamba registrations. Today’s cancellation order outlines limited and specific circumstances under which existing stocks of the three affected dicamba products can be used… Read More EPA Offers Clarity to Farmers in Light of Recent Court Decision on Dicamba Registrations

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Georgia Corn Growers Renew One-Cent Commodity Assessment

News release from the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA: Georgia corn growers approved the continuation of a one-cent per bushel assessment on corn for the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Corn (Georgia Corn Commission). The April referendum received an 87.95% favorable vote. The market order for corn requires votes every three years for continuation.… Read More Georgia Corn Growers Renew One-Cent Commodity Assessment

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EPA Responds to Ninth Circuit Vacatur of Dicamba Registrations

Georgia growers, here is the latest from EPA: WASHINGTON (June 5, 2020) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler released the following statement on the Ninth Circuit Vacatur of dicamba registrations: “We are disappointed with the decision. The 2020 growing season is well underway and this creates undue burden for our first conservationists – farmers. EPA… Read More EPA Responds to Ninth Circuit Vacatur of Dicamba Registrations

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Southern Corn Rust Identified in Georgia Counties

Dr. Bob Kemerait, UGA Plant Pathologist reported this morning on two incidences of southern corn rust in Georgia.  County Extension agents and crop consultants have verified infections in Jeff Davis and Decatur Counties.  The following are Dr. Bob’s quotes from two separate emails: First email: “Received photo from consultant scouting corn in Decatur County yesterday;… Read More Southern Corn Rust Identified in Georgia Counties

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ALERT: Ninth Court Decision on Use of Dicamba Products in Cotton and Soybeans

Yesterday, the Ninth Circuit ordered EPA to vacate registrations for 3 dicamba herbicides for use on dicamba tolerant soybeans and cotton. The court stated that EPA substantially understated risks that it acknowledged and failed to acknowledge other risks. Further, the court asserts EPA understated the number of acres on which dicamba was used and the… Read More ALERT: Ninth Court Decision on Use of Dicamba Products in Cotton and Soybeans

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Southern Corn Rust found in North Florida Fields

Dr. Bob Kemerait, UGA Plant Pathologist sent the following note and picture this afternoon: “Greetings – heads up- right on time.  Southern corn rust found in Madison Co. FL today just south of the Georgia line.  Established in 2 fields of corn; relatively new.  With approaching weather this weekend, I advise growers in Deep South… Read More Southern Corn Rust found in North Florida Fields

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Some Current Environmental Conditions Spell Trouble for Some Corn

One of the more common complaints I hear later in the production season after what seems to be good weather for great corn yield is barren tips. Usually, this happens after growers walk into the fields when corn reaches R5 and they discover ears with one to two-inch barren tips. What are some of the… Read More Some Current Environmental Conditions Spell Trouble for Some Corn

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Hail Damage in Corn

This is certainly the time of year we can expect hail storms to occur throughout Georgia.  Some can be quite severe as most of us have experienced.  Ever year we experience some type of hail damage in our crops.  The question is how much damage is enough to cause yield loss.  Fortunately, there is a… Read More Hail Damage in Corn

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Markets Continue to Tread Water Post WASDE Report and Begin to Monitor Weather.

Today, I am posting an article by a guest writer, John Chapman with Palmetto Grain Brokerage.  It is important that we look at the long term markets of all our crops given the interuption of COVID-19.  Since this is a corn growers blog, I’ve asked him to focus on our corn market. “What information is… Read More Markets Continue to Tread Water Post WASDE Report and Begin to Monitor Weather.

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Pay Close Attention to Current Water Use: Don’t Get Behind!

This blog entry is long so forgive me, but it is important to me to explain the importance of irrigating in our current conditions. I certainly appreciate, Dr. Wes Porter, UGA irrigation specialist and ag engineer weighing in on the topic by adding his expertise. Collaboration from the UGA Corn Team is always appreciated and… Read More Pay Close Attention to Current Water Use: Don’t Get Behind!

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