With low prices and extreme drought, the past three years
haven't
been kind to Georgia farmers. However, economists say better
days
could be ahead for the state's agriculture.
According to the "2001 Georgia Farm Outlook and Planning
Guide," a report prepared by the University of Georgia
Department
of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Georgia's slumping farm
sector will stabilize in the coming year.
Georgia consumers will continue to benefit, too. Because of an
oversupply of many major farm commodities in the world, food
prices
will likely increase at less than the rate of inflation.
Row-crop Farming Still Tough
...
"Farmers still don't have a lot of extra money," said
Bill Givan, a UGA economist who contributed to the report.
"It's
pretty much the same across the board. Farmers just didn't get
by (in 2000) on the crops they grew. They're just sort of
hanging
on right now."
The report said personal farm income will continue to drop
slightly
next year, mainly due to low commodity prices, higher costs and
a decrease in government payments.
... But Has
Potential
Due to expected trade growth, the report says, longer-term
projections
look good for agriculture. Net farm income is expected to climb
in 2002 and continue to grow in the future.
A tightening of world supplies coupled with an increase in
demand
will encourage cotton prices to stabilize and possibly rise in
the coming year. The U.S. 2001 cotton acreage is expected to
equal
that of 2000. If this holds true, near record exports will be
needed to avoid an oversupply.
Peanuts are expected to remain at government support prices.
Last
week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the 2001
national poundage quota for peanuts will remain at the 2000
level:
1.18 million tons.
Foreign competition will continue to put pressure on the U.S.
peanut industry. U.S. growers hope to offset this with higher
yields and increased demand.
It'll Cost Farmers
More
The cost of fuel, fertilizer and borrowed money is expected to
be higher next year. Depending on the fuel prices, which show
no signs of lowering, it will cost farmers 2 percent to 10
percent
more to produce their goods next year, Givan said.
Cattle Outlook Stays
Strong
Georgia cattlemen, despite the drought, did well in 2000. It
looks
like they will continue to do so for the next few years.
"It was a very good year as far as prices for cattle
farmers,"
said John McKissick, a UGA economist who contributed to the
report.
"Cattle prices are going to be very favorable for the next
few years, on into 2003."
Shoppers are demanding more beef. "We actually had a record
year in beef production in the United States," McKissick
said, "and it sold at a higher price."
But Georgia cattlemen haven't had a chance to fully enjoy the
high prices. Because of the prolonged drought, they've had to
spend more money to keep their herds fed and watered. This has
cut into their profits.
Next year, McKissick said, a reduction in the U.S. beef supply
will keep prices at higher levels.
The same can't be said for poultry, however.
"For the first time in a long time," McKissick said,
"there is a softening in demand for poultry parts,
particularly
with white meats domestically and dark meat with
exports."
Today, about half of Georgia's more than $6 billion farm income
is from poultry production.
To get a copy of the "2001 Georgia Farm Outlook and Planning
Guide," contact your county UGA Extension Service
office.
Published on 12/20/00
2001 Outlook Upbeat for Georgia Farmers
CAES News
Lady Belle wins 2025 Flavor of Georgia food product contest
A baked good secured the top spot at the 2025 Flavor of Georgia food product competition, beating out a record 173 products submitted in 12 categories. Sunday Dinner Griscuits, produced by Lady Belle, is a French gougeres, or cheese puff, stuffed with macaroni and cheese flavored grits with collard greens and smoked turkey. Lady Belle is a French-Southern fusion micro-bakery specializing in handcrafted Parisian style macarons, Belle (Signature) Macarons and savory Gritscuits.
CAES News
Your ultimate guide to healthy garden soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a productive and beautiful garden, providing essential nutrients, proper drainage and the right balance of air and moisture for plant roots to flourish. Whether you're preparing a brand-new garden bed or revitalizing existing soil, understanding its composition and how to improve it will set your plants up for success. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension consumer horticulturist Bob Westerfield provides guidance on ensuring your garden soil is ready to provide fruitful vegetables this summer.
CAES News
Community science counts: Census meets storytelling
Six years after founding the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, Becky Griffin held something remarkable in her hands — a children’s book inspired by the project she built from the ground up. "The Great Pollinator Count," written by Susan Richmond and published by Peachtree Publishing, is set to hit physical and digital bookshelves on April 15. The book celebrates the power of community science, pollinator conservation, and the educators and students who bring it all to life.
CAES News
Three UGA undergraduates awarded Goldwater Scholarship
From crop molecular genetics to estuarine mussels to computer experiments, three University of Georgia undergraduates have been honored for furthering research in their fields of study. Juniors Oscar de la Torre, Anderson Smith and Sloka Sudhin are among the 441 undergraduates from across the nation to be recognized as Barry Goldwater Scholars this spring. They have earned the highest undergraduate award of its type for the fields of mathematics, engineering and natural sciences.
CAES News
UGA Career Caravan takes students to Delta and IHG
The University of Georgia Career Center provides students with invaluable opportunities to explore diverse career paths. On March 21, the Career Center organized a “Career Caravan” to two prominent Atlanta-based companies: Delta Air Lines and IHG Hotels & Resorts. This immersive experience aimed to give UGA students, including those studying hospitality and food industry management at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, firsthand learning from the hospitality industry.
CAES News
Experts study mystery irises at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens
The Rivers of Iris exhibit at the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens (CGBG) is flourishing, but the technicolor blooms aren’t the only things attracting attention. Stan Gray, volunteer iris curator at CGBG, and Brian Shamblin, an associate research scientist with the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, are growing several mystery irises at the gardens that could prove to be one of two exceptionally rare iris species: Iris rivularis or a variant of Iris hexagona.