When competing based on one’s accomplishments, we like to focus on what distinguishes each competitor from the rest. Though the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year contest looks at the differences between individuals, they also acknowledge that each of the ten state winners...

For 31 years, the Swisher Sweets Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award program has celebrated excellence in agriculture by showcasing the best of the best. These ten leaders, each representing a state in the Southeast region, are true examples of the American farmers, serving as...

When it comes to marketing livestock, producers are faced with many questions: what to produce, where to market the product, when to price, and more. Livestock producers often sell their livestock. They produce and raise what they have resources for, sell at market outlets to gain the most return...

Despite being in the midst of a global pandemic, the livestock industry is doing well after some struggles earlier in the year. In the third quarter of 2020, there is an overall percentage increase in meat production. According to the USDA, “The average weights for pork, beef, broilers, and...

Safe and efficient cattle handling is a top priority for cattle producers. It takes knowledge of animal behavior and proper handling techniques to get the most out of your cattle and cattle working facilities. Well-designed facilities do not make up for lack of proper handling. Here are three tips...

As the winter winds begin to blow in, it is time to start preparing cattle for the colder temperatures that lies ahead. Good management decisions are crucial to maintaining cattle health throughout the winter. Check out these three keys to success to consider during the colder months. 1. Body...

Although we see sorghum in the Southeast today, it has deep roots in ancient history around the world. In an archeological dig at Nabta Playa, in northeast Africa, archeologists found sorghum dating back to when it was first domesticated. Throughout time, the ancient Egyptians found ways to help...

When you think of snow, frozen crystals falling from the sky to settling and creating a white layer on the ground may come to mind. However, in the South, where snow is not common because of the climate, cotton is referred to as the snow in South Georgia. Cotton is one of Georgia’s top ten...

When thinking of crayons do you think of soybeans? You probably should because they are a key ingredient in making soy crayons. That’s not the only household item they are used to make. Soybeans are used to make candles, hair-care products, and so much more! When thinking of the states that...

We are all familiar with Girl Scout cookies, but did you know that around 230,000 pounds of peanut butter per week is used for baking Girl Scout’s Tagalongs and Do-si-dos? Peanuts are only grown in 13 states, which are in the southern region of the United States. Six of these states grow nearly...

Nothing is more irritating than seeing a crop you have invested time and money into be destroyed by pests and diseases. There are many practices you can put in place to keep these annoyances out. Today we will take a deeper dive into what is preventing you from having your best harvest. Some of...

Carrying out conservation practices within your garden will ensure a healthy harvest for many years. Conservation in the garden can come in all shapes and sizes. Three main conservation tips we are going to touch on today are irrigation, cover crops, and crop rotation. Irrigation is the process of...

Gardener Must Haves: Tools You Need to be a Successful Gardener A green thumb is one of those characteristics that if you don’t have it, you definitely wish you did. Some people are blessed with the ability to take care of a garden easily, and the rest of us need a little bit of help. Last week,...

Want to Plant Your Own Garden? Here’s Where to Start! During the months of quarantine, many people stuck at home took up the new hobby of gardening. Backyard gardening is possible for anyone but looks different for everyone; the garden can live in raised beds, bigger plots, or containers. More and...

“HAY FOR SALE!” Driving down a lonely country road in the middle of Smalltown, USA, you are more than likely to see a sign screaming at you in bright red letters about hay. This seems to be the way it has always been when you have some extra hay to spare for the year. There may be an ad placed in...

The coronavirus pandemic has caused many changes in 2020. Even though schools closed for long periods of time, many events cancelled like our beloved Sunbelt Ag Expo, some conferences have gone virtual, and events were postponed, we are happy to say that at least one thing is continuing - The...

We often see a green field of grass during the summer as we drive down a winding country road. Then, later on we see neatly stacked bales of golden hay all in tidy rows. However, most people do not often think of the process that takes the green grass and turns it into the golden bales. The hay...