Author Archives: John Holcomb

Labor Shortages, Input Costs Concern Producers

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Tifton, GA |

Down in Tifton recently, the University of Georgia held their yearly Ag Forecast – an event that’s meant to give insight into the ag economy for the coming year. This year, attendees got to hear first-hand insight as an industry panel discussed the challenges they’ve seen. One of the panelists was Will Bentley, President of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, who says farmers and producers are getting hit from all sides, but labor and input prices are by far their biggest concern.

“I think our farmers are facing some of the issues that they faced over the last several years, labor being a key component to the challenges in agriculture, whether that’s H-2A labor, whether that’s just normal farm labor, equipment operators, or even on the business sector. We’re seeing kind of a labor shortage in every sector of our industry. For our farmers unfortunately, I think it’s going to be a tight year for commodity prices, but also going to see, if not increased at least still high input costs. So, any time you have a lower commodity price, but input costs are still high, it’s going to be a tough year,” says Will Bentley, President of the Georgia Agribusiness Council.

One person that knows that all too well is Karla Thompson, Vice President of JET Farms Georgia, who says that finding good, reliable labor is by far their biggest challenge.

“Our number one challenge right now in our operation, and that’s across every aspect, is finding good help. So, we are in a small town in a rural area. There’s not a huge labor pool to begin with. And the types of jobs that we need help with are skilled jobs. So, finding people to fill those spots and people that have the flexibility to help with the harvest side, that can be really challenging,” says Thompson.

According to Thompson, the reason why labor is such a problem for them is due to how labor issues end up affecting their entire operation, so much so that they’ve had to let produce go to waste because they couldn’t get it out of the field.

“It really does affect all facets of our operation be it from harvest to planting to even finding people to help work in the office. So, on the harvest side, where it really gets to be a problem is if we don’t have enough labor to harvest the, the product from the field, that’s especially a big deal when you come, when you look at sweet corn, green beans, blueberries, they don’t store. They have to be harvested at the right time or, or they’re no good,” says Thompson.

According to Bentley, to make matters worse, he says that policies and mandates have put even more burden and stress on farmers.

“We’re looking at mandates being passed down from the federal government dealing with adverse wage prices and increases for our fruit vegetable growers that utilize the H-2A program. We’re seeing more mandates on some of the crop protection products that we use that are very productive for our farmers. We’re seeing a tighter fertilizer supply and different things like that, that are a little bit more policy driven. So, when the economics are tight, we want to make sure that our government is not piling on and hurting our farmers even further,” says Bentley.

By: John Holcomb

Annual Meeting Prepares Growers for Upcoming Planting Season

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Tifton, GA |

Believe it or not, we are just a few months away from seed going into the ground for cotton growers around state. And with that in mind, many decided to attend to Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting, to prepare themselves for the coming season.

“Whether it’s insects, diseases, varieties, you name it, there are people here, to visit with and learn from and learn from each other. These meetings like this, extension specialists like myself, this is where we really learn what the needs are across our great state,” says Phillip Roberts, Extension Entomologist with UGA.

While some pests like aphid and thrips are a yearly nuisance to these growers, there are always new ones to be on the lookout for when scouting your fields.

“One of the main topics we’re hitting at our local production meetings is tarnished plant bug. That’s a pest that’s really increased just in recent years. So, it’s still new to some of our growers. So, we need to make sure growers understand that they are potential pest and we just need to scout for them and if we have them, it needs to be addressed,” says Roberts.

Protecting the crop against diseases such as foliar leaf spot and boll rot are equally as important to maintaining yields. And the easiest way to do that is have a proactive approach.

“In my world of plant pathology and nematology, perhaps, the most important thing is to recognize that some of the most important things a grower can do happens before they can close the furrow, whether it’s fighting nematodes or fighting bacterial blight or fighting fusarium wilt or fighting seedling disease; they have to do it before the furrow’s closed. Your management options are very limited once you close the furrow,” says Bob Kemerait, Plant Pathologist with UGA.

This message is more important than ever this year with a lower commodity price being projected to go along with record high input costs.

“Margins are going to be tight and I think at the end of the day, it’s all about making every input pay. Entomology; it’s a little easier than some other things. We can scout and if we exceed threshold, yes, it is a good investment to protect that cotton from insects, but I think at the end of the day, it’s trying to reduce that cost of production per pound of lint. We can reduce input costs, but we have to maintain yields,” says Roberts.

And that’s the goal for everyone on the UGA Cotton Team, as they strive to meet all current and future challenges.

“We here, in University of Georgia extension, we pride ourselves on coming up with research based, nonbiased information. Cotton growers in Georgia are a robust group. They’ve been through storms before. Admittedly, this storm is kind of tough recognizing that cotton prices may not be where they want them to be, but they’re resilient and they recognize that a lot of the profit comes from investing in research and adopting research to improve production through profitability,” says Kemerait.

By: Damon Jones

Growers Showcase Fruits and Vegetables in Savannah

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Savannah, GA |

Georgia is home to the world-famous Vidalia onion, is one of the top blueberry producers and is, of course, known as the Peach State. So, with and fruits and vegetables being such big business, keeping up to date on the constantly evolving industry is a tall task and the main goal of the annual Southeast Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah.

“The principles of growing fruits and vegetables have been established since time. But the regulatory policies and science and technology that is needed to run a successful and profitable fruit and vegetable industry is ever changing. So, being able to come to a conference as a collaborative, fresh produce industry and learn together, fight together, advance the science together is the only way we are going to be able to continue to have a bright future in the southeast,” says Beth Oleson, Director of Food Safety and Education for the G.F.V.G.A.

While each commodity has their own set of unique challenges, there are certain issues that are far reaching.

“Fruit and vegetable growers continue to be challenged by two primary issues. One is labor and the ability to have a stable and documented labor force. The second would be trade issues. We continue to see a surge in imports coming primarily from Mexico and other South American countries that are coming in often at or below our cost of production. So, we’ve got to find a way to level that playing field for American growers,” says Chris Butts, Executive Director of the G.F.V.G.A.

That means producers must adapt and grow with the times, which makes the more than one hundred informational sessions invaluable.

“How can I move from a large scale commercial production into large scale organic production? We’re talking through different ways to integrate robotics and precision agriculture just to make things more streamline. Then we’re also talking through fumigation, pesticide updates, regulatory updates. So we’re covering from A to Z, so we have it going on,” says Oleson

That applies for the trade show as well, where a record number of visitors got an up-close look at the latest technology that shapes the industry.

“We kind of call it seed to shelf, everything from supplies for growers to grow their crops to machines for harvesting, packaging, and mechanization to the chemicals and other inputs that we provide. It’s really a one stop shop for growers to come and form new relationships but also strengthen relationships they have with existing suppliers and exhibitors,” says Butts.

Having the right information and relationships is more important than ever, especially during this trying time.

“Our trends right now are how can we do more with less. We continue to have record input costs and inflation, so growers are looking to sharpen their pencil and sharpen their tools so to speak, so that they can increase yields, hopefully lower some of those input costs and have a better bottom line at the end of the day,” says Butts.

By: Damon Jones

Annual Peanut Farm Show Provides Growers with Insight

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Tifton, GA |

For almost five decades, peanut growers in Georgia have convened at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show – an annual event facilitating fellowship among producers, showcasing cutting-edge equipment, and providing updates from industry experts.

“We always see new challenges on the farm and there’s always some new technology and maybe new ways of doing the same things. So, we get this to look at maybe new planters or updated harvest machinery. And so, it’s always an opportunity for us to think about how we’re doing things and maybe there’s some changes we would like to make to our own production system. It’s a really good opportunity to just see what’s out there,” expressed Donald Chase, Vice Chairman of the GA Peanut Commission.

In addition to networking with vendors and exploring new equipment, attendees participated in production seminars led by industry experts like Scott Monfort, an Extension Peanut Agronomist at the University of Georgia. Monfort addressed the tumultuous year for growers, highlighting the detrimental impact of weather fluctuations on crop yields.

“Unfortunately, if we get into a situation with a disease problem or insect problem, yeah, they might have done some damage, but we can get in there and correct that pretty quick and it wouldn’t hurt as much, but when you’re talking about the weather and its impact on the overall growth and productivity of the plant, you really don’t see that as a whole until you start digging. It’s not uncommon for us to see that in a small geographic location, but not across the whole state,” explained Monfort.

The adverse growing conditions led to a challenging harvest season, as Monfort noted grading issues stemming from the erratic weather patterns witnessed statewide.

“Not only did non-irrigated get impacted, but our irrigated did too. That’s where we had pods that aborted some of the nuts. We didn’t get them formed. They didn’t fill out all the way to the hull. So, we get smaller peanuts. Dry land didn’t produce much at all in some areas. So it just just compounded on us and then this whole grade issue was with what happened in May, then what happened in June and July. If we would have stayed hot in late August going into September and October, we could have corrected some of that because the plant could have really put on a lot of pods and matured them out, but we didn’t, we cooled off. So that hit us again,” Monfort elaborated.

Bob Kemerait, Extension Plant Pathologist at UGA, emphasized the significant role of disease pressure alongside unfavorable weather conditions.

“The yields that came off of last year were disappointing to a lot of growers. We weren’t at the top; it wasn’t a terrible year, but we weren’t the best. Some of the things that affected that was tomato spotted wilt virus and also white mold. So, a lot of that was environmentally driven. The hot, dry weather made the white mold worse, especially for farmers with non-irrigated fields. Also, our tomato spotted wilt virus, based upon some of the early situations in the 2023 crop was more severe, and so in part, the disappointing yield was not just the growing season, but it was growing season in concert with things like tomato spotted wilt virus and white mold,” Kemerait explained.

By: John Holcomb

Southern Dairymen Gather in Savannah for Annual Conference

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Savannah, GA |

In Savannah recently, dairy producers from around the state and southeast had the opportunity to gather under one roof to discuss the dairy industry. It was a time of fellowship and education as producers heard from experts about the many issues facing their industry.

“A lot of information can be gathered off the Internet, but true friendships and alliances are established eye to eye, handshake opportunities. It allows us to attract dairy farmers from all over the Southeast. Vendors, scientists, and university staff provide a forum and a platform for mutual discussion of the day-to-day issues facing the dairy industry,” said Paul Johnson, Program Coordinator of the GA Dairy Conference.

One of the important issues discussed was the current economic pressures producers have dealt with in the last couple of years; pressures that have put a lot of strain on their operations and have even caused some to go out of business.

“These last few years, with inflation, raising interest rates, put a lot of pressure on a lot of people. And the costs and the cash flow required to run a business like a dairy has increased significantly. So right now, dairy producers have really had a lot of pressure. Some people are weathering the storm better than others, but I think it’s a stress for all of them,” said Kevin Dhuyvetter, Industry Consultant.

Dhuyvetter says that because of those economic pressures, producers have had to make tough decisions that unfortunately have hurt many of them in the end.

“When times are tight, and this last year for sure has with inflation. A lot of us want to tighten our belt, and when we tighten our belt, that means I’m going to try to spend less money. I have to try to spend less money because everything is costing me more. And what happens then is we start sacrificing production. I’m trying to save myself to prosperity. That’s very, very difficult to do because we have data that says those people that tend to spend more money and make sure they keep cows healthy and comfortable, make more milk, tend to be more profitable. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to save money, and that saving money ends up hurting us,” explained Dhuyvetter.

Thankfully, inflation has declined since its peak in 2022; however, Dhuyvetter says that the problems producers continue to face are not going anywhere anytime soon.

“The issues we face the last couple of years, they’re not going to go away overnight. The fact that they’re better today than they were a year ago, that’s a good sign, but they’re still tough, right? I mean, the fact that inflation’s lower than it was is great, but it’s lower from a very high number. So, my expectations are these are going to be pressures that will keep putting stress and pressures on our dairy producers for the next several years. So, the challenges in 2023 are not going to disappear any time soon, unfortunately,” concluded Dhuyvetter.

By: John Holcomb

 

GFB YF&R Members Leave Their Mark in Salt Lake City

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Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City recently hosted some of the brightest young minds in agriculture for the Young Farmer and Rancher competitions, including the discussion meet. Representing Georgia was Andy Paul from Oglethorpe County, who expressed his excitement for the opportunity.

“It’s huge. Just to know that I was chosen by folks in Georgia to represent the state that I love, this is one of the biggest honors that I’ve ever gotten. So, very grateful,” said Andy Paul.

Preparing for the competition was a serious task for Paul, who dedicated countless hours to studying.

“I’ve tried to study at least an hour every night for the past two months or so. And that’s the minimum. But it’s been a lot, just podcasts and resources, and there’s such a wide variety of things that we had to study for that it’s been constantly on my mind for a minute now,” Paul explained.

His hard work paid off as he advanced into the sweet 16 against equally enthusiastic competitors.

“Everybody is so passionate and everybody is so talented at what they do. But the thing that I love is when we do sit down at the table, we do our opening statements. And then it’s time for us to discuss for twenty-five minutes, everybody cares more about the agriculture and issue than they do their own talking points. And I think that’s just the coolest thing to be a part of,” Paul remarked.

In the Excellence in Ag competition, Franklin County’s Cole and Nicole Roper finished in the top 10, providing them a platform to share their journey.

“I think that being able to share your story is something that extremely is important. And Cole and I both are very passionate about being able to share with others what we do. You know, it’s so hard as agriculturalists sometimes that people don’t understand what do you do every day? And so, being able to share that with people and being able to compete and being able to explain what we do on our farm is very exciting,” Nicole Roper expressed.

“The main message we were getting across was impact. Whether that’s an impact on your community, the impact on your state, or your nation. And the impact for us starts in our community with our sweet corn operation and the impact we can leave on our community as well as that next generation,” added Cole Roper.

These events also facilitate the exchange of new ideas among competitors.

“Whether it’s the people from North Carolina or Tennessee, we’ve also met a couple from Arizona and Utah. Just being able to network with them and see how they do things on their operation has been very valuable,” Cole shared.

“Being able to learn what they do on their farm and how some different practices that maybe we can take back to our farm is something that was very beneficial to Cole and I, that we experienced today,” Nicole added.

While networking and exchanging ideas are major reasons for participating in these events, it remains a competition at its core.

“We grow up in organizations. We grow up playing sports or in FFA of 4-H and we get this natural drive to compete. And then, once you graduate, there’s not as many opportunities for that. And so if you love to compete, it’s the chance to get back in. If you love to learn, get back involved and if you love to speak, this, this is the spot for you,” Andy concluded.

By: Damon Jones

Georgia Farm Dog Named 2024 AFBF Farm Dog of the Year

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Dearing, GA |

Donald and Laura Adams from McDuffie County are the proud owners of Skippy, a remarkable mixed breed dog that has become an indispensable part of their lives. Donald, a beef cattle farmer who faced disability after an accident, found his lifeline in Skippy. Thanks to P.H.A.R.M. Dog USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to training dogs to assist disabled farmers, Skippy has become a game-changer in their lives.

“When you have an injury like I have, if you sit in the chair or sit on the couch, that’s where you’re going to end up. Get by. Because we have Skippy to help us, every day, we’re doing something. If it wasn’t for her helping us with the cows to keep me busy, things might not be as good as they are now,” shares Donald Adams.

Skippy, a border collie, catahoula hound, Australian shepherd mix, has been an integral part of the Adams family for over a year now. “She’s a partner, she’s a pet. She’s right here with us helping us with the cattle every day,” adds Donald.

The accident that led to Donald’s disability occurred while he was out feeding hay with his son. “The last bale bounced the wrong way and hit him in the back of the head, broke his neck, and bent the spinal cord. He was completely paralyzed from the neck down,” explains Laura Adams.

Determined to continue farming despite his disability, Donald was introduced to P.H.A.R.M. Dog, which supplies dogs to disabled farmers to assist them in their daily tasks. “I wasn’t gonna leave the farm. There wasn’t a doubt as long as I got a breath in me, I’m going to take care of the cattle and the farm. And thank God we did,” reflects Donald.

“Skippy kind of filled that role that, you know, it would take three or four people to herd forty cows out of one pasture to another. Skippy, and I can do it by ourselves. Skippy can do it by herself, to be honest,” says Laura.

Describing SKIPPY’s importance, Donald shares, “It’s gonna be hard to replace her. She’s just such a loyal companion. She’s about, like, my wife is about like my children are, you know, you just think so much of these dogs.”

Acknowledging Skippy’s role in his recovery, Donald adds, “This type of injury, you’ve got to stay busy all the time. And that’s why the cattle and Skippy helping us is responsible a lot for my recovery. Being able to keep the cows and something for me to live for every day. I mean, she’s contributed to that immensely.”

Reflecting on how having a farm dog changed their lives, Laura concludes, “Getting a farm dog involved with us changed our life.”

Farmers and Ranchers Embark on Trip to Annual Convention in Utah

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Salt Lake City, UT |

Hollywood or no Hollywood, this year’s convention unfolded like a perfectly scripted story. American Farm Bureau went all out, treating its guests to a red carpet experience while squeezing a wealth of information into just a few memorable days.

“This whole convention is put together. It is a major undertaking to get it focused on the members who are Farm Bureau, and it’s everything from our peanut commission that has a booth in the trade show to companies like Case and John Deere,” says GFB President, Tom McCall.

“I think the biggest thing is the networking. Just, you know, in the time I’ve been here seeing people that I’ve seen in years past or standing in line over there a little while ago, had a young farmer out of North Carolina started talking to me, telling me about his operation, some of the challenges he faces day to day. And it’s just to me, it just boils down to the networking that we have here at a conference like this,” says Russ Wilburn, GFB 4th District Director from Barrow County.

New Frontiers was the theme of this year’s convention. President Duvall’s annual address was inspiring and motivational as he challenged convention attendees to go even further in their advocacy in the coming year.

“Leadership starts with each and every one of us. Whether this is your first convention or your fiftieth convention, doesn’t make any difference. It doesn’t matter what your title is or how young or old you are, you can help us chart a path to new frontiers for Farm Bureau and for our communities,” says AFBF President, Zippy Duvall.

Arguably, the biggest and most welcomed news at this year’s convention was the announcement of not one, but two major partnerships for rural mental health. First up, the Farm Family Wellness Alliance, a coalition of food and agriculture organizations, is launching free, anonymous online mental health services for farmers and ranchers nationwide. Next came the “Love, Your Mind” campaign. At the forefront is Florida Farm Bureau member and mental health advocate, Marshall Sewell.

“Watching that video and sharing the story sometimes, it’s not easy. It’s not comfortable. And President Duval, in your opening session, you actually shared some comments. He quoted Philippians, and I’ll say this, I choose to believe that the Lord’s not gonna waste pain. And so I share that story in the hopes that we can have a positive impact and that we can change others positively,” says Sewell.

“I mean, probably just five, ten years ago, the stigma was you didn’t talk about those problems. So I think it’s great to hear Zippy get up on stage and talk about how it’s okay to not be okay and to get out and talk about it,” says Wilburn.

“So let’s explore these new frontiers before us. Let’s keep blazing the trail with leadership, perseverance, teamwork, and faith. And we have got this if we work together,” says Zippy.

By: Ray D’Alessio

GFB Delegation Embarks on National Parks Roadtrip

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Zion National Park, UT

At the heart of unforgettable trips lies meticulous planning and attention to detail. Jay Murdock, the mastermind behind the Georgia Farm Bureau’s excursions, orchestrates experiences that linger in the memories of attendees long after the journey ends. Interestingly, when praised for these remarkable trips, Jay humbly redirects the accolades to his exceptional team. However, the truth remains: it’s Jay’s responsibility to traverse the country, uncover the most intriguing destinations well in advance of the convention, and assemble an experience that resonates with Georgia Farm Bureau members, employees, and volunteers for a lifetime.

“I think historically at American Farm Bureau Convention, they used to organize a membership breakfast for the attendees. Once you’ve seen the inside of a hotel ballroom, you’ve seen them all. Once you’ve had cold pancakes at a hotel, you get tired of that. Our now-retired Chief Administrative Officer, Wayne Daniel, decided to allocate the same funds towards crafting a unique experience for our attendees. Something distinctive to the area and an opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the local culture,” Jay explains.

Jay meticulously scouts upcoming convention locations, like San Antonio in January 2025, attending preliminary meetings to familiarize himself with the area.

“They call it the FAM meeting, short for familiarization, I believe. We tour all the convention hotels and the convention center, allowing attendees to select their preferred accommodations. Then, I embark on the mission of curating an experience tailored to our attendees’ interests, which typically revolve around history and culture,” says Jay.

Reflecting on Jay’s efforts, Tom McCall, President of Georgia Farm Bureau, commends his attention to detail. “We’ve observed Jay’s dedication behind the scenes for the past year. He effortlessly manages a group of a hundred and fifty people, ensuring everyone arrives punctually and content. Our attendees consistently praise Jay, Jennifer, and their team for their outstanding work. We’re incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated individuals at Farm Bureau.”

“In and around Salt Lake City, the likelihood of snow is higher compared to southern Utah. When planning tours, relying solely on Mother Nature isn’t ideal. Thus, we opted for Southern Utah, known for its breathtaking national parks like Zion and Bryce Canyon, destinations that require intentional visits. While Yellowstone is nearby, we wanted to offer a unique experience that diverges from the typical tourist route,” says Jay.

Acknowledging the immense workload behind the scenes, Jay expresses gratitude for his assistant director, Jennifer Bracewell. “Jennifer meticulously maintains spreadsheets, lists, and checklists. I couldn’t execute these trips without her. Her attention to detail keeps everything on track. I’m immensely grateful for her dedication and hard work.”

By: Ray D’Alessio

 

Blue Ridge Honey Company a One-Stop-Shop for Everything Honey

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Lakemont, GA |

There’s plenty of buzz surrounding the Blue Ridge Honey Company, where people can find candles, soaps, equipment, and, of course, honey. It’s a business started up by the husband-and-wife team of Bob and Suzette Binnie after getting into the bee industry in a unique fashion.

“I read a book. I read a book honestly. Got real interested just by reading. I’m one of those rare people that read a book, thought I would really enjoy it, and decided I wanted to be a commercial beekeeper before I even stuck a finger in a beehive. Most people think it sounds romantic and wonderful and fun, and then once they try to make a living at it, they find out this is actually really hard work. And, of course, you get stung along the way from time to time,” says Bob Binnie, Owner of Blue Ridge Honey Company.

That passion for honey is readily apparent as soon as you walk in the doors, as it highlights a number of different varieties from all around the country.

“It’s a honey shop. That’s the main thing. At any given time, we might have six, eight, occasionally ten different types of honey not only from our own locality but other states and other parts of Georgia. When people come here, they’re happy. You can just see when they walk into the door, they kind of ohh and aww, and they’re happy. Even the people that work here will tell you it’s really fun to see the looks on people’s faces when they get to taste all the honey and see all the variety of stuff we have in here. So, it’s just fun,” says Binnie.

Just like flowers, no two honeys are the same, as each has its own unique taste and consistency.

“Honeys that are high in dextrose have a sweet taste on your tongue, but they also have a characteristic of crystalizing quicker than the others. Honeys that are very low in dextrose and higher in fructose do not ever crystalize and they also have a mellower, sweet taste. A lot of people walk into the store figuring that honey is honey. It should all taste the same. Every single flower on the planet produces different tasting nectar,” says Binnie.

However, that’s far from the only product showcasing the diversity of this industry, as this operation produces a number of soaps in-house to go along with all their other bee-related products.

“If you look around the store, ninety-five percent of what’s in this building is bee-related. The soap has bee’s wax or propolis in it. We have pollen and honey. You see all the health products right there. They’re all bee-related, and that’s kind of our theme in here. We’re becoming a destination for tourists because the word’s gotten out that it’s an interesting place to visit. You can look right through those plate glass windows into the processing rooms, and people find that fascinating,” says Binnie.

However, the most important section of the store might just be this one, as it highlights the importance of bees to not just the agricultural industry but also people’s everyday lives.

“Well, the bees are extremely important. People don’t realize how important they are to our food industry. Things like apples, melons, cucumbers, the list just goes on and on and on,” says Binnie.

By: Damon Jones