Budgeting for Success: Economist Outlines Importance

Web AdminAgri-business

By Clint Thompson Budgeting has emerged as a significant management tool for specialty crop producers. If growers hadn’t implemented the practice before COVID-19, most certainly are now during an era of unpredictable input expenses and price fluctuations from one month to the next. Wendiam Sawadgo, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension economist, outlines the importance of farmers utilizing this important …

online

Specialty Crop Producer: Our Guys Need to Make Money

Web AdminAgri-business, Specialty Crops

By Clint Thompson The 2022 season could be a pivotal year for specialty crop farmers. A production season that began with input costs spiking to unforeseen levels needs to end with growers pocketing some money, says Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms and president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “I think this season is a crucial season …

Florida Farmer Defends Livelihood

Web AdminAgri-business, Florida

By Clint Thompson At a time when farmers need support more than ever, one Florida farmer is forced to defend their livelihood against political attacks from environmental activists. These attacks could impact the future of agriculture. “I was very blessed and privileged to have a dad who served in World War II, Battle of the Bulge. One of the things …

Potential Diesel Shortage: ‘What’s Next?’

Web AdminAgri-business

By Clint Thompson Diesel prices spiked to an all-time high this week. A potential shortage could soon spike fears among specialty crop producers who utilize diesel every day. Some farmers are flabbergasted by the prospect of not having enough diesel to operate normal day-to-day operations on the farm. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, and president of …

Rural Stress Summit to Connect Georgia Farmers with Community Resources

Web AdminAgri-business, General, Specialty Crops

Farm family health and wellness remain a priority for rural Georgia communities and are the focus of an upcoming free, one-day stress summit. The event, called “Stress on the Farm: Supporting Wellbeing of Georgia Farm Families,” is scheduled for May 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. Register at no cost by May …

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Lingering Impact on Farmers

Web AdminAgri-business, Exports/Imports, Trade

By Clint Thompson The longer the conflict in the Ukraine lingers the added impact it will have on input costs farmers are forced to pay, mainly for fertilizer. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), discusses the situation. “I think what this last year and the last couple of months in particular have pointed out, these are globally …

Not So Sweet Prices: January Freeze Event Impacting Watermelon Market

Web AdminAgri-business, Exports/Imports, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The freeze event in late January is having an impact on the watermelon market more than three months later. What were ‘outrageously’ high prices just a few weeks ago have dropped substantially since. It is mostly due to an abundance of supply overwhelming demand. Carr Hussey, a watermelon farmer in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, calls it a …

Statistically Speaking: Various Factors Contribute to Surge in Input Expenses

Web AdminAgri-business, General

By Clint Thompson Various factors have contributed to the increase in costs for fertilizer and other energy-based inputs. A surge in post-pandemic demand combined with transportation delays, low crude oil inventories and the current Russia-Ukraine conflict are the main reasons, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service. Nitrogen fertilizer is up 110% from …

Once ‘Outrageously High’ Watermelon Prices Drop in Recent Weeks

Web AdminAgri-business, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson What was once out of this world market prices for Florida’s watermelon producers have come back to earth a bit. Laura Land, a watermelon farmer from Branford, Florida, and member of the Florida Watermelon Association, discusses how prices have dropped in recent weeks. “They were outrageously high (two weeks ago). They’re moving down pretty quickly. They’re in …