Ag Line: Ag Meeting Season
By Wade Parker

Is it springtime or is it still winter? In my opinion, it feels like corn planting weather. The weatherman is predicting a little cooler weather this week, but a return to 80 degrees by the weekend. We will just hope the current wheat crop won't grow too fast.

Even though it feels like springtime outside, we are gearing up for our winter educational meetings. The following is a description of the meetings that are currently arranged.

Jan. 30 - Corn Meeting

As corn prices are at ten-year highs, we will see increased acres. As a result, I have scheduled the first Corn Production Meeting in the county in many years. Dr. Dewey Lee will update us on the latest production practices and new varieties. Along with Dr. Lee, will be Dr. George Shumaker with a marketing update. Dr. Shumaker has done a considerable amount of work on Ethanol and he will discuss how this will play into the price of corn. The corn meeting will be held at 12 p.m. in the Ag Center.

Feb. 20 - Georgia's Agricultural and Farm Bill Outlook 2007

The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will be sponsoring a Farm Bill Workshop at the Bulloch County Ag Center. The purpose of this breakfast meeting is to provide all segments of Georgia agricultural decision-makers with the latest 2007 price prospects and an update on impending farm legislation. The meeting will provide the latest on the farm bill prospects from nationally recognized experts, as well as price forecasts for Georgia's main commodities. This meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end by 11 a.m.

Feb. 22 - Farmers Appreciation Supper

A Farmers Appreciation Supper will be held in the Ag Center at 7 p.m. This is a first-time event that promises to be a time of good food and fellowship. After meeting with several members of the community, we felt that some type of event would be good for our agricultural community. We will eat supper and award several nice door prizes and other agricultural awards! Please mark this one on your calendar.

Feb. 23 - Peanut Production Meeting

Our annual Peanut Meeting will be held at 12 p.m. in the Ag Center. Dr. John Beasley will update us on varieties and general production. I have also secured Dr. Eric Prostko to update us on the latest weed management strategies.

Feb. 26 - Cotton Production Meeting

We will have our Cotton Meeting at 12 p.m. in the Ag Center. Dr. Steve Brown will update us on production and new varieties. I am in the process of trying to secure Dr. Stanley Culpepper to update us on weed management. The biggest issue facing the cotton industry is glyphosate resistance in palmer amaranth pigweed.

As you can see, January and especially February are full of meetings! Beef and Dairy meetings are currently in the works and will be announced as soon as they are complete. Private pesticide credit will be given at the production meetings, and commercial credit will be applied for. As lunch will be served at each meeting, please call 478-982-4408 to reserve your spot!
Jenkins County Extension Calendar of Events
Jan. 30 - Corn Meeting, 12 p.m., Ag Center
Feb. 20 - Farm Bill Information Meeting, 8:30 a.m., Statesboro
Feb. 20-21 - Cotton Production Workshop, Tifton
Feb. 22 - Farmers Appreciation Supper, 7 p.m., Ag Center
Feb. 23 - Peanut Meeting, 12 p.m., Ag Center
Feb. 26 - Cotton Meeting, 12 p.m., Ag Center
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