#AgricultureNews | AM 1180 Radio

July 6, 2026

State Agriculture Officials Continue Tracking Yellow-Legged Hornet In Georgia

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #Beekeeping, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #HoneyBees, #InvasiveSpecies, #northwestgeorgia, #Pollinators, #WZQZ, #wzqznews, #YellowLeggedHornet, #YourHometownRadioStation 0

The Georgia Department of Agriculture says its Plant Protection team continued efforts in June to track and eradicate the Yellow-Legged Hornet, an invasive species that poses a threat to honeybees and Georgia’s agriculture industry.

According to the department, crews found 125 hornets and eradicated three nests during the month of June.

Agriculture officials say hornet activity increases as temperatures rise. Beekeepers and residents are encouraged to watch for nests and for “hawking” behavior around beehives, where hornets hover near hives and prey on bees.

Anyone who believes they have found a Yellow-Legged Hornet nest in Georgia should contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.

June 27, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

State Agriculture Officials Ask Georgians To Watch For Yellow-Legged Hornets

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Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said this week that the Georgia Department of Agriculture is continuing its efforts to track, trap and eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, and he is encouraging residents to help by watching for signs of the destructive insect.

Harper is asking Georgians to be on the lookout for possible secondary nests and to report any suspected sightings to the state.

Residents should watch for hornet activity around beehives, especially during the morning hours before noon and again after 5 PM.

Possible secondary nests may appear as large, round or oval-shaped structures located high in trees or other elevated areas. Officials say the nests are typically gray or brown and made of layered, paper-like material. Depending on temperatures, they may be visible from late summer through winter.

Anyone who believes they have spotted a yellow-legged hornet nest should report the sighting to the Georgia Department of Agriculture by email at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.

June 20, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Farm Bureau Seeking Nominations for 2027 Veteran Farmer Award

Local News, Local News Items #AgNews, #agriculture, #AgricultureNews, #AmericanFarmBureau, #FarmBureau, #FarmCredit, #FarmerBootcamp, #Farming, #GeorgiaFarmBureau, #MilitaryVeterans, #ProjectVictoryGardens, #RuralAmerica, #VeteranFarmerAward, #VeteransInAgriculture, #VeteranSupport, #wzqznews 0

The American Farm Bureau Federation is accepting applications for its 2027 Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence, recognizing military veterans and active-duty service members who have found success in agriculture while making a positive impact in their communities.

Supported by Farm Credit, the award honors individuals who have carried the values of military service into farming and ranching, including leadership, hard work, problem-solving, and service to others.

The winner will receive a $10,000 cash prize, along with reimbursement for travel and related expenses to attend the 2027 American Farm Bureau Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 2026 recipient was retired Army Command Sergeant Major Matthew Rutter of South Carolina. Following a 22-year military career, Rutter co-founded Project Victory Gardens and created Farmer Bootcamp, a program designed to help fellow veterans explore careers and opportunities in agriculture.

Applications for the 2027 award are due September 1. Farm Bureau membership is not required to apply.

Additional information and application details are available through the American Farm Bureau Federation.

June 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Expands Animal Entry Rules After Screwworm Detection In U.S.

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalEntryRequirements, #AnimalHealth, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #Livestock, #NewMexico, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #Texas, #VeterinaryInspection, #wzqznews 0

Georgia agriculture officials have expanded animal entry requirements following the detection of New World screwworm in the United States, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country decades ago.

June 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Producers Urged to Review USDA Screwworm Resources After Confirmed U.S. Case

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AnimalHealth, #APHIS, #CattleProducers, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaInfo, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #LivestockHealth, #LivestockProducers, #NCBA, #NewWorldScrewworm, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #USDA, #wzqznews 0

Livestock producers are being urged to stay alert following the recent confirmation of a New World screwworm case in the United States.

The USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. The CDC says no locally acquired human infestations have been reported in the United States, but the outbreak has been moving northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023, affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, and people.

New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest wounds in warm-blooded animals. Because of the potential risk to livestock and agriculture, the USDA has released preparedness resources for producers, including current status updates, a U.S. response plan, fact sheets, field identification guides, and additional response materials.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it also plans to release simplified resources in the coming weeks to help producers better understand the USDA response playbook.

Producers are encouraged to review USDA materials and monitor livestock closely for suspicious wounds or signs of infestation.

June 4, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Expands Support For Farmers With New Resource Center As Trade Talks Continue

Local News, Local News Items #Agribusiness, #AgriculturalExports, #AgricultureNews, #ChinaTrade, #FarmNews, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #GeorgiaEconomy, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GeorgiaFarming, #GeorgiaGrown, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #TylerHarper, #wzqznews 0

Georgia agriculture leaders are continuing efforts to strengthen the state’s farming industry through new business resources and expanded market opportunities.

May 26, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Drought Raises Concerns For Georgia Apple Farmers Ahead Of Fall Harvest

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AppleCapitalOfGeorgia, #DroughtConditions, #EllijayGA, #FallHarvest, #FarmReport, #GeorgiaApples, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GilmerCounty, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #wzqznews 0

Apple farmers in North Georgia are watching the weather closely as a months-long drought raises concerns about the upcoming fall harvest.

In Gilmer County, home to Ellijay — known as the Apple Capital of Georgia — orchard owners say dry conditions are already putting stress on apple trees. Curled leaves, reduced moisture, and weakened tree health could all affect the size and quality of this year’s crop.

Agriculture experts say drought-stressed trees are more vulnerable to disease, fungus, and bacteria. Without enough rainfall, apple trees may produce lower yields and smaller fruit, and in more severe cases, some apples could fall from the trees before harvest.

Farmers say North Georgia has received more rain than some other parts of the state, but several areas remain in severe drought. Growers are hoping for more rain before the fall apple season begins.

Apple picking season in North Georgia traditionally begins around Labor Day weekend and continues through October.

May 22, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Asian Longhorned Tick Confirmed in Georgia and Alabama

Local News, Local News Items #AgricultureNews, #AlabamaAgriculture, #AlabamaAnimalHealth, #AnimalHealth, #AsianLonghornedTick, #CattleHealth, #chattoogacounty, #DeKalbCountyAL, #ExtensionService, #Farmers, #FarmNews, #floydcountyga, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaDepartmentOfAgriculture, #HabershamCountyGA, #HallCountyGA, #LivestockHealth, #LivestockOwners, #NorthGeorgia, #northwestgeorgia, #OutdoorSafety, #PetOwners, #PickensCountyGA, #PublicHealth, #Theileriosis, #TickAlert, #TickPrevention, #TickSafety, #VeterinaryCare, #WhiteCountyGA, #WZQZ, #wzqznews 0

Agriculture and animal health officials in Georgia and Alabama are urging livestock owners, pet owners, and outdoor enthusiasts to be on alert after the Asian Longhorned Tick was confirmed in multiple counties across the region.

April 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Arrest Report – Thursday – April 23, 2026

Local News, Local News Items #AgNews, #AgricultureNews, #chattoogacounty, #DisasterAssistance, #DroughtConditions, #DroughtRelief, #EconomicRelief, #EmergencyLoans, #FarmingCommunity, #FarmRelief, #FarmServiceAgency, #GeorgiaAgriculture, #GeorgiaFarmers, #LocalFarming, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralGeorgia, #USDADisaster, #WeatherImpact, #wzqznews 0

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Thursday, April 23, 2026:

April 23, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

USDA Declares Drought Disaster, Includes Chattooga County In Assistance Area

Farmers in Chattooga County and across Northwest Georgia may soon see relief after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated 126 Georgia counties as natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions.