Small meat processors across Georgia will soon have access to customers across the country following a new agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
The Chattooga County Extension Office is now accepting registrations for the 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program, an educational series designed for cattle producers looking to expand their knowledge and improve herd management.
The program will be held Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center, located at 40 Middle School Road in Summerville.
The registration fee is $100, which includes all in-person sessions, educational materials, a UGA Beef hat, and meals. The registration deadline is September 8.
The Master Cattlemen’s Program is offered through UGA Extension and covers a variety of topics related to beef cattle production and management.
Those interested can register online through the UGA Beef Team website or contact the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744 for additional information or assistance with registration.
Chattooga County Extension is encouraging livestock producers to have their hay and other stored forage tested while this year’s hay crop is being harvested.
Forage testing provides information about the nutritional value and overall quality of hay, helping producers make better decisions when developing feeding programs for times when fresh grass is unavailable. Hay quality can significantly affect livestock health, growth, performance and the amount of supplemental feed needed during the winter.
University of Georgia Extension specialists say appearance alone cannot reliably determine the nutritional value of a particular supply of hay. A laboratory analysis can measure factors such as crude protein, fiber, digestibility and total digestible nutrients, allowing producers to build a feeding plan around the actual needs of their animals.
A representative sample is important for accurate results. UGA recommends using a clean forage probe and collecting samples from multiple randomly selected bales rather than simply pulling hay from the outside of a bale.
With hay now being cut and stored across the area, Chattooga County Extension says this is a good time for producers to test their forage and begin planning for the upcoming winter feeding season.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper is urging federal trade officials to strengthen protections for American specialty crop producers as negotiations continue over the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
University of Georgia students are helping Georgia farmers spend less time behind a desk and more time in the field through a new artificial intelligence-powered platform called FieldLog.
The Chattooga County Young Farmers Program has earned statewide recognition after being named the Georgia Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association (GVATA) Outstanding Post-Secondary Program during the organization’s Summer Conference held this past week in Athens.
Georgia farmers are being encouraged to participate in a new statewide survey designed to better understand the financial challenges facing agriculture and help shape future policy and advocacy efforts.
A Crawford County man is facing state and federal charges after a multi-agency investigation into alleged illegal dog fighting led to the rescue of 23 dogs and the seizure of firearms and suspected illegal drugs.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper has officially proclaimed July 2026 as Georgia Grown Watermelon Month, recognizing one of the state’s most recognizable crops and the farmers who produce it.
The announcement highlights Georgia’s position as the nation’s leading watermelon-producing state, with growers harvesting more than 200 million pounds of watermelons each year. The crop is a key part of Georgia’s agriculture industry, which contributes more than $100 billion annually to the state’s economy.
“Georgia’s watermelon growers are among the hardest-working farmers in the nation,” Harper said in announcing the proclamation. He encouraged consumers to support local agriculture by purchasing Georgia Grown watermelons throughout the summer season.
Watermelons are typically harvested across Georgia from June through August, making July one of the peak months for fresh, locally grown fruit. Georgia’s warm climate and fertile soils provide ideal growing conditions, helping the state consistently rank first in national watermelon production.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture says buying Georgia Grown products supports farm families, strengthens local communities, and helps sustain one of the state’s largest industries. Consumers can identify locally grown produce by looking for the Georgia Grown logo at grocery stores, farmers markets, and roadside stands.
Commissioner Harper said the month-long recognition celebrates both the quality of Georgia-grown watermelons and the important role agriculture continues to play in the state’s economy.
Cattle producers across Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and improve herd management this fall as the University of Georgia Extension brings the 2026 Northwest Georgia Master Cattlemen’s Program to Chattooga County.
The eight-week program begins Monday, September 14, and will meet each Monday at 6 p.m. through November 2 at the Chattooga County Agricultural Center.
Participants will hear from University of Georgia specialists and industry experts on a wide range of topics, including beef quality assurance, herd selection, cattle economics and marketing, herd health management, parasite control, facilities, nutrition, reproductive management and forage management.
The registration fee is $100 and includes a notebook, program hat and meals. Registration is open through September 8.
To register, call the Chattooga County Extension Office at 706-857-0744, scan the QR code on the program flyer or visit bit.ly/49yrFld.
Extension officials say the program is designed for both new and experienced cattle producers looking to strengthen their management skills and improve the profitability of their operations.