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
Manage holiday stress with kindness, boundaries
The holiday season can be a time of anticipation and joy, but balancing multiple commitments and personalities across families and friends can be a source of stress for hosts and visitors alike. Much like preparing parts of the meal ahead of time allows you to spend more of the holiday with guests, setting expectations ahead of the celebration can go a long way to ensuring enjoyable gatherings, said Ted Futris, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of human development and family science.
CAES News
CAES welcomes 2024 cohort of Rural Scholars
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences welcomed its fourth cohort of students chosen for the CAES Rural Scholars Program this fall just weeks after celebrating the program's first graduation. Georgia Orman, one of four inaugural Rural Scholars in CAES, graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education.
The new scholars for 2024, all from Georgia, are Ela Ash of Ocilla, Lauren E. Coley of Cochran, Amelia Housley of Canon, and London O’Steen of Ambrose.
CAES News
The women and stress behind rural farming in America
Recent research from the University of Georgia suggests the unique stresses from farm life may be taking a toll on one of the pillars of the families that make your dinners possible: the women who keep farming families running. “If we don’t control our food sources, we don’t control our health and safety,” said Anna Scheyett, lead author of the study and a professor in UGA’s School of Social Work. “It’s a matter of national security that farmers survive in the United States. And one of the big factors in helping farms survive is women.”
CAES News
That's the spirit!
Wheat breeders spend years meticulously crossing varieties to coax the best traits out of each species, carefully propagating plant varieties that are healthier, heartier and better suited for the environments where they are grown. Professional brewmasters are equally painstaking when choosing the components that will give their beers a specific flavor profile.
CAES News
Poultry in motion
Chris Ayers emerged from his orange and black rough-terrain vehicle with an ear-to-ear grin. “This is Chiktopia,” he said, sweeping his arm wide to indicate the back half of a 3,600-square-foot warehouse on his family’s farm in Ball Ground, Georgia. “This is where I manufacture and assemble the chicken coops. Everything is done entirely from over here.”
CAES News
UGA Grand Farm wins stage two of 2024 Growth Accelerator Fund competition
Startups in the agricultural technology sector face significant barriers on the path to establishment, including access to training and capital. These barriers are heightened for underrepresented entrepreneurs seeking to start new companies. The University of Georgia Grand Farm, part of a historic partnership between the University of Georgia and Fargo, North Dakota-based Grand Farm, aims to change that.