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UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics
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Historical Publications; Peer-Reviewed

UGA Extension publications offer free, research-based information to Georgians on a variety of topics including agriculture, the environment, families, food, lawn and garden, and youth. The publications below are based on agricultural and applied economics related topics.

Cover Crop Cost-Share Program Payments. This publication discusses the effectiveness and challenges of current cost-share programs in encouraging cover crop adoption and important factors to consider for policymakers when deciding on the measures that can be implemented to encourage further implementation of sustainability measures in agricultural production. 

Upland Cotton Marketing Using MAL and LDP: Which Option is Better? The Agricultural Act of 2018 (2018 U.S. Farm Bill) extended the nonrecourse marketing assistance loan (MAL) and loan deficiency payment (LDP) feature for the 2019 through 2023 crop years for upland cotton. This publication provides examples and a decision tree for choosing between the marketing assistance loan and loan deficiency payment program for cotton.

Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments for Upland Cotton.  The Agricultural Act of 2018 (2018 U.S. Farm Bill) extended the cotton commodity loan programs for the 2019 through 2023 crop years. Cotton commodity loan programs include the marketing assistance loan (MAL) program and the loan deficiency payment (LDP) program. These programs provide cotton producers with alternative marketing tools during periods of low cotton prices. Cotton producers can receive marketing loan benefits in the form of marketing loan gains (MLG), loan deficiency payments (LDP), commodity certificate exchange gains, and forfeiture gains. Producers can participate in the MAL or obtain an LDP on all or part of their production at any time during the loan availability period, from harvest until May 31 of the following calendar year.

Preliminary Changes in Covid-19 Purchasing Habits of Southeastern U.S.  Green Industry Consumers - Historically, plant purchases frequently occur in physical retail centers (e.g. mass merchandisers, garden centers, etc.).  The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in adoption of retail measures to reduce disease transition and spread, including stay-at-home/lock down orders,   retail store closures, limited retail occupancy, and social distancing. Consequently, consumers ability to shop for products in-store were  impacted and opened the opportunity to use non-traditional sales  methods. This report provides a summary of consumers’ perceived plant purchasing behavior in the Southeast U.S.

Preliminary Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Green Industry Sales in the Southeastern U.S. - On January 31, 2020 the Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency to deal with the novel COVID-19 virus (HHS, 2020). By March 13, 2020, the concern around COVID-19 had been elevated to a nationwide emergency (FEMA, 2020)  and many states began to implement lockdowns. These lockdowns and the subsequent reactions to COVID-19 have had a profound impact on the Green Industry.

Economic Impact of the Georgia Green Industry, 2018 - The Georgia Green Industry consists of wholesale nursery, greenhouse, turfgrass sod producers, landscape design, construction/maintenance firms and wholesale and retail distribution firms (e.g., garden centers, home stores, mass merchandisers with lawn/garden departments, brokers/rewholesale distribution centers, and allied trade suppliers. As the Georgia Green Industry continues to change and adapt to new market conditions, it is essential to understand the impact of the industry on the state and regional economies. This publication provides the dollar impacts as well as employment associated with the Georgia Green Industry.

Understanding the Commodity Loan Programs for Major Row Crops in Georgia – This publication discusses the marketing assistance loans and loan deficiency payments available to Georgia row crop producers under the circumstance of low commodity prices. (Yangxuan Liu, Anukul Bhattarai, and Mark Welch, March 2020). 

Hemp Budget for CBD Production in Georgia - With the passage of the 2018 Farm bill, hemp has been removed from the list of Schedule 1 substances. In addition to this rescheduling, the bill also called on the nation’s land grant universities to research and assess hemp. At the University of Georgia, the Departments of Agricultural & Applied Economics and Horticulture collaborated to develop an enterprise budget for hemp production in Georgia. (Ben Campbell, Adam Rabinowitz, Julie Campbell, Tim Coolong, Jeremy Baudrand, January 24, 2020)

The Hemp Regulatory Environment: A Brief History and Outline of Current U.S. and Georgia Regulations - (Adam Rabinowitz, Julie Campbell, Ben Campbell, January 9, 2020)

Crop and Pasture Land Rental Rates for Georgia Counties - Land rental rates can consist of a significan portion of operating budgets.  (Adam Rabinowitz, Johnson Collins, November 11, 2019)

Updating the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Payment Yields in the 2018 Farm Bill - The 2018 Farm Bill permits landowners of farms an opportunity to update the PLC payment yield for each covered commodity. This factsheet discusses how to update the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Payment Yields in the 2018 Farm Bill. The PLC payment yield update is very important because the PLC payment yield is used for calculating the PLC payment. The higher the PLC payment yield on a farm, the higher the PLC payment that farm can potentially receive. (Yangxuan Liu, John Lai, Adam Rabinowitz, October 2019)

Externalities with Establishing Hemp Production/Processing -  As production of hemp increases throughout the Southeast, producers and potential producers need to be aware of issues that may result from establishing production and processing operations.  (Julie Campbell, Ben Campbell, Adam Rabinowitz, August 30, 2019)

Hemp Production Economics: Current Situation in Georgia - Currently,  the University of Georgia does not  have enough information  to develop enterprise  budgets  and  other  economic  tools  for  producers  and  stakeholders  within  the  state. (Ben Campbell, Adam Rabinowitz, Julie Campbell, August 30, 2019)

Awareness and Perceptions of Hemp - As  producers,  extension  agents,  specialists,  and  policy  makers  engage  with  the  public  about  hemp  related  topics,  a  central  issue  is  the  confusion  between  hemp and marijuana.  Though  hemp and marijuana are technically the same species (Cannabis sativa L.), they are significantly  different  from  one  another.  (Adam Rabinowitz, Julie Campbell, Ben Campbell, August 30, 2019)

Consumer Views on Use and Legality of Hemp Based Products - As  hemp  products  gain  traction  and  increase  in  availability  and  use,  the  industry  as  well  as  extension  professionals  need  to  understand  consumer  sentiment  toward  hemp  products.   Currently, hemp production is highly regulated; however, hemp and hemp‐based products are  less regulated.  (Julie Campbell, Adam Rabinowitz, Ben Campbell, August 30, 2019)

Importance of Shrink Minimization in Greenhouse Production - The purpose of this factsheet is to demonstrate the impact shrinkage has on profitability. (Campbell, Ben, July 2019

Presentations - All files are in PDF format unless noted otherwise.

Farm and Financial Management

Livestock and Dairy


Recent Extension Publications on Animal Production and Livestock
Calf Health Basics
(B 1500)
Calf health is a key variable for calf growth and performance. Producers should not expect to know all calf health issues, causes, and the most successful treatments. Instead, a producer's main goal should be to accurately identify and differentiate normal from abnormal in a calf's physical state and behavior. The topics discussed in this publications are intended to help producers notice key areas of observation while also helping to identify normal and abnormal health parameters in calves. This information can also be used to develop calf management protocols and treatment strategies.
Bull Buyer's Guide
(C 553)
Bull procurement decisions can greatly impact your future calf crops and herd genetics for many years. Selecting and buying a herd bull is the quickest way to make genetic improvement in your herd. The selection process must include looking for those traits that are economically important and highly heritable. Demand and buy bulls with total performance that will improve your herd. This publication discusses factors to consider when purchasing a new bull.
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Recent Extension Publications on Field Crops
Cotton Defoliation in Georgia
(C 1281)
Cotton defoliation is a complex production decision with many chemical options to consider. Harvest aids are utilized to prepare the crop for machine harvest, and timely defoliation and harvest of cotton can reduce weathering losses (yield and quality) and decrease trash in the lint. A basic knowledge of crop development and maturity as well as an understanding of the physiological effects of harvest aids on cotton plants is necessary in making decisions concerning defoliation.
Foxtail Identification and Control in Georgia Pastures and Hayfields
(B 1464)
Foxtails (Setaria spp.) are invasive weeds in pastures and hayfields. The competitive growth of foxtails with pasture specie causes stand thinning and reductions in hay yields. Foxtails may be grazed in spring prior to inflorescence development. However, the production of seedheads is concerning in summer due to the sharp awns that can damage the gums of livestock. Hayfield growers are also concerned about the economic impact of foxtails on yield and hay quality. This publication discusses the identification of foxtail species along with cultural and chemical control options.
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Recent Extension Publications on Fruits and Vegetables
Guía Visual de las Abejas Comunes de los Campos de Arándanos en el sureste de Georgia
(C 1295-SP)
Esta guía muestra las abejas silvestres más comunes de las plantaciones de arándanos en el sur de Georgia. El material presentado aquí es un resumen visual del muestreo de 2021 y 2022 en campos comerciales de arándanos de los condados productores más importantes: Bacon, Pierce y Ware. En total, se encontraron más de 70 especies de abejas. La contribución de las abejas silvestres a la polinización de los arándanos es cada vez más reconocida. La identificación adecuada de estos insectos en el campo es una parte fundamental de los esfuerzos de conservación. (English: This guide shows common wild bees found in commercial blueberry fields in southern Georgia, based on sampling in the 2021–2022 seasons in three major producing counties: Bacon, Pierce, and Ware. In total, more than 70 bee species were found. The contribution of wild bees to blueberry pollination has is becoming widely recognized. Proper identification of these insects in the field is critical part of conservation efforts.)
2024 Southeast Regional Caneberry Integrated Management Guide
(AP 121-4)
This integrated pest management (IPM) guide for blackberry and raspberry production includes management of diseases, insects, and weeds through IPM principles. The 2024 Southeast Regional Caneberry Integrated Management Guide covers topics such as pesticide stewardship and safety, insect and disease control, pre-transplant and transplant operations, fungicides and insecticide efficacy comparisons and spray schedules, weed management, wildlife damage, and more. Recommendations are based on information from the manufacturer's label and performance data from research and extension field tests. Because environmental conditions and grower application methods vary widely, suggested use does not imply that performance of the pesticide will always conform to the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental data. This publication is intended for use only as a guide. Specific rates and application methods are on the pesticide label, and these are subject to change at any time.
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