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For nine years people in the Ag community in Tennessee have gathered to raise money to feed hungry Tennesseans through the clay sporting event, Shooting Hunger. The event has raised enough money to provide over two million meals for people in need. The Middle tennessee shooting event was held Thursday.
The USDA released its August Farm Income Forecast for 2023 and shows farm incomes going lower. Chad Smith has more on the numbers. Smith: The USDA says farm incomes are lower than they expected earlier this year. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation talks about what the new farm income forecast says about the farm economy. Munch: U.S. net farm income is currently forecast at $141 billion. That's down almost a quarter, 23 percent, from last year, which was $183 billion. And that's compared to a 16 percent decline that they originally estimated in February. That $41 billion decline that they're estimating erases a lot of the gains between 2021 and 2022, so revenue is expected to be down across the board. Smith: Munch says nearly all sectors of the farm economy are projected to decrease. Munch: The largest decrease in net farm income is tied to a projected fall on cash receipts for livestock, mainly due to lower prices for all commodities except for turkey and cattle. The value of livestock production is expected to decrease about five percent, which is about $12 billion. On the crop side, it's a similar story. They expect crop sales to be down ten percent for corn, $8.4 billion, soybeans to be down 8.6 percent to $5.4 billion. You also have production expenses continue to tick up, feed costs are up three percent, labor up five percent, and marketing costs expected up five percent. Smith: He also said interest expenses, or the cost of capital, are almost 40 percent above last year. Munch says farmers and ranchers should make a plan now for how to weather these lower revenues. Munch: Take advantage of risk management options available to you. This can include things offered through the federal crop insurance program available for lots of crops, as well as any of the farm bill commodity programs like Dairy Margin Coverage. For those who don't currently have risk management options in place because maybe there aren't crop insurance programs for that crop or they don't really fit your operation type, this is time to engage with your Farm Bureau and your elected officials. We're in the middle of farm bill conversations. We want to make sure that the farm bill gets passed, and that it's comprehensive, and that there's ways for farmers to hedge against revenue declines like this, regardless of what type of crops that they grow. Smith: Chad Smith, Washington.
The Center For Profitable Agriculture was formed 25 years ago. Since then, the center has helped farmers grow their operation and become more profitable. CPA is celebrating turning 25 and the success they've had.
National Farm Safety and Health Week 2023 features daily topics of education, and an overall theme of "No One Can Take Your Place".
A group of women from across the state recently participated in the Tennessee Farm Bureau Women's Boot Camp. The day long training sharpened public speaking skills and gave tips on how to be more effective on social media. Thomas Capps Farm Bureau women learning how to tell their story better. Hello, and welcome to Tennessee home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Kaitlyn Boyd It's important for the folks who are doing that farming day in and day out to be the ones to share that message. Thomas Capps It's often said that communication is key and just about anything that we do. That's especially true in sharing the story of agriculture. A group of women from across Tennessee recently enhanced their ability to effectively communicate their story by participating in the Tennessee Farm Bureau women's communication bootcamp. The day long seminar focused on improving public speaking skills and tips on being more effective on social media. American Farm Bureau Federation Leadership Training Specialist Jordan Healey taught the public speaking portion and believes it's critical people in the ag industry know how to communicate their message. Jordan Healey So these public speaking boot camps, mini boot camps, whatever you might call them, allow our participants to have that firsthand experience from going from their first presentation to their last presentation, and really building up some confidence and showing that hey, they do have the ability to talk and share their stories with others. Thomas Capps The ladies that participated like Rebecca Boyd of Polk County feel they can now apply what they learned. Rebecca Boyd It's important for me to be here because I want to take back better skills to grow our Farm Bureau women's group, and have a better public speaking for agriculture. Thomas Capps Leigh Fuson of DeKalb County is also thankful to have gotten to participate. Leigh Fuson I like to push myself to get out of my comfort zone a little bit but just learning how to communicate with the public, our consumers, maybe people that don't have an agricultural background learning to connect with them, and communicate with them better share our story a little better. Thomas Capps Kaitlyn Brundige of Martin, Tennessee is only a junior in high school, but she says it's never too early to start sharpening her communication skills. Kaitlyn Brundige I really enjoy the communications side of things and I wanted to learn a deeper side of it and I wanted to get more out of it. I'm gonna go home and practice what I've been taught here. Thomas Capps For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.
Cody and Jessica Grills of Dyer County were presented with a new Case IH tractor in front of family and friends at the Dyer County farmers appreciation breakfast. The Grills received the tractor as an award for winning the Tennessee Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. They get to use the tractor for one year on their row crop farm. Thomas Capps Achievement Award winners get a new tractor. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Cody Grills To be honored with those that were before us. It's just it's a great honor. Thomas Capps Cody and Jessica Grills of Dyer County are getting ready to use their new Case IH tractor. They get to use the shiny new red tractor for a year as a prize for winning the Tennessee Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. They were presented with a new tractor over the weekend in front of family and friends at the Dyer County farmers appreciation breakfast. Cody Grills We're just so thankful you know, we we've had some months to roll over this now and to think about it and we're just so thankful to be honored with the people that have won this award ahead of us to be presented with such a great piece of equipment. We're just extremely grateful for it. Jessica Grills We've had so many people that have helped us along the way. From everyday operations on the farm to this winning this honor, it's just been truly, truly incredible with the friendships and the leadership that we've had to look up to Thomas Capps The Grills already have in mind how they'll put their new tractor to use on their row crop farm. Cody Grills We're gonna utilize every bit of it, I'm sure you know we'll be either planting with it, breaking ground, you know, running a grain cart, we're gonna I mean, it's a it's a multi use tractor so we'll be able to use it for many different things. So we're excited and looking forward to using it. Thomas Capps Cody and Jessica aren't the first Grills to win the Achievement Award and receive a tractor. Cody's oldest brother Rusty came in second in the contest many years ago. And his older brother Hunter won in 2020 being third in their family to do well with this award is something Cody and Jessica take a lot of pride in. Cody Grills I'm a ninth generation farmer and now I'm a third generation Achievement Award winner so hopefully that I'll happen with our son be a fourth generation Achievement Award winner in the future. So yeah, it's nice to have that legacy in our family, and we hope to continue on for many years. Jessica Grills And we'd like to thank Case IH and the sponsorship over the years and the support they've given us and Farm Bureau. Thomas Capps A partnership for 35 years that has highlighted the best young farmers in Tennessee. For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.
Danielle Buntyon followed her dream and went from the corporate office in Houston to the farm office in Memphis and now she’s just been named Tennessee's Small Farmer of the Year.
People in the beef industry are working to put steps in place to help prevent and prepare for potential disease outbreaks in cattle. Jennifer Houston with NCBA believes Tennessee can lead the way in putting these practices in place. Thomas Capps Biosecurity in the beef industry. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Jennifer Houston Traceability, we're a little bit further along, biosecurity is something we need to start thinking about. Thomas Capps Protecting our food sources is critical to our Nation's security and well being. That's why people in the beef industry are working towards steps that will keep our beef supply safe from potential diseases that aren't even in the US yet. Tennessee native Jennifer Houston it's on the National Cattlemens Beef Association board and believes Tennessee can lead the way in being proactive and taking steps to prevent the spread of foreign diseases. Jennifer Houston Tennessee is going to be starting trying to participate in the secure beef supply plan. I just think it's important that we really start thinking about that now to prepare for what could happen with an animal disease outbreak. I think there's no question we're vulnerable. And I think if we can't really realize that after the pandemic that we went through with our human our human folks, that it's there for animals, and it can be just as devastating to us in the agriculture industry, for our livelihood, maybe not our lives, but certainly our livelihoods. So the more we can do to prepare, whether that's by electronically IDing our calves, enrolling in some kind of program, working with our state vet, getting our biosecurity plans in place, the more we can do, the better off we're gonna be. Again, like I said, not if, but when it happens, and hopefully that's a long time from now. But we are vulnerable. Thomas Capps Houston hopes that taking these steps now will make any potential outbreak a non issue for both beef producers and consumers. Jennifer Houston Consumers they need to have the trust in our product. That's one thing that traceability system, biosecurity plans, it just they have trust in our product, they trust farmers, but we've got to keep that on and we got to prepare ourselves so their trust is not misplaced. And we can keep supplying them with that healthy secure beef that they love. Thomas Capps Exploring systems and technology that could help keep our beef supply going, and our food systems secure. For Tennessee home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Thanks for listening and have a great day.
For 30 years now the city of Martin has come together to celebrate one of their communities top cash crops. The Tennessee Soybean Festival celebrates the soybean, farmers, and agriculture as a whole. The three day festival features amusement rides, good food, and live concerts each night. It starts September 7th and goes through September 9th. Thomas Capps The soybean celebrated in Martin. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Brad Thompson It's time to celebrate, you know our roots and to recognize agriculture to recognize farmers. Thomas Capps Each year the city of Martin comes together to recognize one of the top cash crops in their community from live music to amusement rides and good food. The soybean festival has something for everyone. Now in its 30th Year festival Director Brad Thompson says the annual tradition always seeks to keep agriculture at the center. Brad Thompson Soybeans are a Top Crop in Tennessee and you know the impact of soybeans reaches far beyond the Tennessee farm. And you know, in fact the economic impact of soybeans just on the across the state of Tennessee's over a billion dollars. Thomas Capps The three day event starts today in the historic downtown of Martin and goes until Saturday. Each night features live concerts Thursday nights performances Cheap Trick, Friday Brothers Osbourne, and Saturday night is Russell Dickerson Thompson just wants everyone to come out and have a good time keeping this three decade old tradition alive. Brad Thompson The Tennessee soybean festival has its challenges a little bit with marketing soybeans, but the more we look into it, the more we learned like the soybean is a very diverse agricultural commodity and just like the soybean, our festival offers a lot of diverse activities. We'd like to say that we have a little something for everyone here to come and celebrate from the people the food the activities. You know, everyone is welcome anyone who would like to come you know we have the vending fair. We have over 50 different food trucks we have the carnival food we have a midway amusement ride. Thomas Capps General admission into the festival is free. Tickets for the concert start at $20 for Tennessee Holman Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.
A new state law now in effect requires school systems to keep their exterior doors locked at all times, but that has come in to question for some ag programs that have shops and barns located on the school campus.
Robertson County tobacco growers have been busy with this year’s crop and still much work left for growers as they get the crop to the barn and begin the curing process.
The USDA released its August Farm Income Forecast for 2023 and shows farm incomes going lower. Chad Smith has more on the numbers.
For the 85th year, the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has been a tradition like no other and the ten day celebration concludes tomorrow night with the announcement of the world grand champion.
Farmers across the state continue to gather in their communities to discuss topics and issues facing the agriculture industry. It's all a part of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation's Policy Development meetings. Recently meetings in Washington and Knox counties were held where Ag education, and concerns over lab grown meat were discussed.
During the recent FFA Ham Breakfast at the state fair Lee Todd of Germantown was presented the Tennessee FFA Lifetime Achievement award for his long-time involvement and support of the organization.
Lazy Branch Farm established in 1879 becomes the 113th Century Farm officially recognized in Wilson County.
Kelsey Barnes with the Farm Journal Foundation believes much of the world is in a food security crisis. She says it's in our interest to help other nations become more food secure for national security reasons, and because it's the right thing to do. Thomas Capps Food security is national security. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps Kelsey Barnes When other countries around the world are food insecure, it actually raises the rest or US national security. Thomas Capps Kelsey Barnes is the director of government affairs with the Farm Journal Foundation. The Farm Journal Foundation works to promote policy that leads to more food security in nations around the world. Barnes sees trends that suggests that the world is in a food security crisis right now. And while things are stable, for the most part here in the US, from a food standpoint, Barnes believes it's in our interest to help other parts of the world be food secure too. Kelsey Barnes When other countries around the world are food insecure, but actually raises the rest or US national security. If you look at how the war in Ukraine has impacted agriculture, right, it's even playing a role to Tennessee farmers. Tennessee farmers are now growing more wheat than we have in the last several years. So if we were able to look at this at a global scale and its impact, and how the US government is able to invest or deregulate and allow farmers to do their jobs and to be able to help build trade, then we should be caring about that, but also from the faith humanitarian standpoint. We're very blessed to be born in the US and be able to raise all the crops that we do and unfortunately, there's people in other areas of the world who aren't blessed with the amount of seed and technology and innovations that we have. So it's important that we take care of others too. Thomas Capps While it might not be obvious to everyone, Barnes says US farmers play a huge role in feeding the world and keeping the world a safer of a place as possible. Kelsey Barnes A lot of times farmers don't think of themselves as being able to prevent national security risk but food really is security and whenever you're able to view it that way and be able to take part in that it's important. Thomas Capps As Barnes and others at Farm journal continue to work towards creating good policy to combat food insecurity, farmers will do their part to growing good food and fiber, and be a light to the rest of the world. For Tennessee home and Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.
After being at the helm of the Tennessee Poultry Association for 12 years, Dale Barnett is stepping down as Executive Director. Tracy Rafferty is taking over as Executive Director. Barnett says it's been a great ride with TPA, and is excited to continue working within the industry in his new job.
After being at the helm of the Tennessee Poultry Association for more than a decade, Dale Barnett is stepping down as Executive Director. Tracy Rafferty will be taking over as Executive Director. Barnett says he has loved his time with TPA, and is excited to continue working within the industry with his new job.
Several Tennessee farmers are partnering with Kroger to provide them with produce that they sell in their stores. Kroger says it's a great way to support local farmers and give customers great quality produce.
The annual FFA Ham Breakfast at the Tennessee State Fair raised nearly $40,000 for the Tennessee FFA. H&R Agri-Power and Catesa Farms banded together to purchase the Grand Champion Country Ham for $20,000, and the Tennessee Farm Bureau, TriGreen, and Beck's joined together to purchase the packer style champion ham. It went for $18,500. Thomas Capps An old tradition raises nearly $40,000 For FFA Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio I'm Thomas Capps. Anna Whitt Keeps an old tradition alive like curing country hams. Thomas Capps The FFA Ham Breakfast at the Tennessee state fairs or tradition that brings people in Tennessee agriculture together and raises a lot of money for Tennessee FFA. The breakfast highlights the youth ag organization and the two winning hams at the State Fair are auctioned off for FFA. H&R agri-power and Catesa Forms banded together to purchase this year's country ham grand champion for $20,000. And the Tennessee Farm Bureau TriGreen, and Beck's joined together to purchase the Packers style ham. It went for $18,500. Together that's a new record. State FFA President Ella Hasty is so grateful for those who put such a large investment into the organization she loves. Ella Hasty It was a very special day it was so great to see all the people who support Tennessee FFA, and just, we are truly blessed to have so many people who not only just believe in FFA, but also the future of agriculture. And to see this room full of smiling faces and everyone fellowshipping with one another and just supporting this great organization really, truly warms my heart. Thomas Capps Bobby Parker of Cannon County grew and cured the grand champion country him that went for $20,000. He's done this contest for years and is honored his ham is making such a great impact. Bobby Parker I'm proud that it brought that and you know, this benefits the FFA, you know, helps them it's a big fundraiser for them. And that's gonna help feed our country for a long time. I mean, we push the FFA. Thomas Capps Anna a Whitt from Spring Hill Tennessee produced the Packers style ham the wind for more than $18,000. She and her family have been at this craft for a long time now. Anna Whitt I'm really thankful for drag rain and Farm Credit and h&r and Farm Bureau that really donate to the organization of FFA and just it's kind of a dawn trade that I hope that we can keep going due to events like this. Thomas Capps Continuing producing and curing hams and continuing to support the future of agriculture for Tennessee home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps.
Tennessee 4-H is on full display at the State Fair in Wilson County. From the various projects and competitions to the annual 4-H picnic the youth organization is a big part of the fair.
The Tennessee State Fair is off to an exciting start. People from across the state came for opening weekend in Wilson County. Attendance for opening night broke last year's record.
The Tennessee State Fair got started with the celebrity hamburger grill off. TV personalities from three local television stations from Nashville and RFD TV participated. The team from News Channel 5 took home champions of champions with their taco recipe. Thomas Capps Kicking off the state fair with corn and beef. Hello and welcome to Tennessee home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. The Tennessee State Fair got off to a sizzling start Thursday in Wilson County as the celebrity hamburger grill off kicked everything off. News personalities from three local television stations in Nashville and RFD TV participated. It's the Year of corn at the state fair, so bonus points were given if corn was used in some way, it was a close competition but NewsChannel 5's Jennifer Kraus and Levi Ismail took home champion of champions with their special taco recipe. Jennifer Kraus It was so much fun. It's always so much fun to celebrate the fair to be at the fair to kick off the fair with such a great opportunity to feature Tennessee products and corn. Levi Ismail When you come to one of these things. You want to have a good time but it helps to win, right? I mean, it's exciting. We had a good time. We got to eat some good food. We hope the judges had a good time, and thank you to all of them for making this possible. Thomas Capps Three of the four judges are farmers themselves Christina McGee, George MacDonald, and Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Vice President James Haskew. James Haskew Well the most enjoyable part was the variety of the different flavors. There was a different flavor to each entry. Some of them was a little bit spicy. Some of them was a little bit more natural, but across the board this is the flavor of each different entree. Christina McGee We had some unusual entry some very tasty entries was that it was a great morning for agriculture. We featured Wilson County beef from Neil farms, which is a huge plus Neil's paymaster coorn. George McDonald We enjoy promoting our products. It had beef in it that Tennessee's known for it has corn number two commodity in Tennessee so have better way can we promote our products than eating our products? Thomas Capps The Tennessee State Fair runs until August 26. It features lots of Tennessee agriculture. It's a great way to celebrate our state and its most important industry. For Tennessee home and Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.
Having good policy on agriculture is essential in ensuring farms can continue growing our food and fiber. That's why each year the Tennessee Farm Bureau holds policy development meetings across the state, so that farmers can voice their concerns and opinions on issues.
Dr. Charlie Martinez and his team at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been working over the last year to collect data to determine how much farmland is being lost in Tennessee. Now the data is becoming clearer, and just as expected Tennessee is losing farmland at a rapid rate. Thomas Capps Farmland loss in focus. Hello, and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Charley Martinez And now we're starting to really kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the data. Thomas Capps Dr. Charlie Martinez and his team at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has been working over the last year to collect data and determine exactly how much farmland in Tennessee has been lost and developed. Now the numbers are starting to become clear. And just as expected, the Volunteer State is losing farmland at a rapid rate. Charley Martinez In 2017, Tennessee at 86% of the of the state was covered in ag and forestry land. And then since 2017, we've actually started decreasing down to 84%. And to put that in perspective, if you look at 19, from 1997 to 2017, we lost 1.1 million acres. And then if you take 2017 to 2022, we've lost just shy of a half a million acres. And so the reality is we've had 1 million loss in 20 years. And then we have a five year span where we've lost half a million acres. Then when you start looking at the numbers, we're starting to ramp up in the farmland conversion or farmland loss discussion in terms of half a million and in five years. Thomas Capps The concern is that farmland is disappearing at a faster rate. And what does that mean for the future of agriculture in Tennessee? Charley Martinez We know that we have a limited amount of land in Tennessee.Wwe have 26 point 4 million square acres. And as we lose those percentages year after year, then essentially we're losing land that we'll never get back. Thomas Capps Now knowing this information, the hope is that thoughtful conversation can happen on the state and local county and city level. Charley Martinez What becomes the next question is what's the optimal blend of ag versus non ag property in a given county. And that's when the discussion really picks up in terms of smart growth discussion, infrastructure type discussion. Thomas Capps Martinez and his team are finalizing their research and will soon have an interactive map online where people will be able to see how much farmland has been lost county by county. For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio on Thomas Capps.
Issues involving agriculture often times end up in the courts. Deputy General Counsel for the American Farm Bureau Federation, Travis Cushman, reminds farmers why the courts matter and why they're worth paying attention to.
As lawmakers work to write the next farm bill, the American Farm Bureau Federation is sharing stories of its importance to agriculture. Chad Smith has more with an example from a Missouri farm. Smith: As ongoing drought grips much of the west and Midwest, farmers and ranchers are utilizing farm bill programs to ensure they’re acting as stewards of the land. Megan Richner, a farmer in Missouri, which has been one of the driest spots in the country, says the farm bill’s conservation programs have positively impacted her operation and kept them in business. Richner: Really those conservation programs in the farm bill saved our farm during this drought that we're experiencing. If it wasn't for those, we'd be in pretty bad shape on our farm. We have not had to sell any cows. We've had some land, we've had grass, and really our land and grass would be in much worse condition if we would not have started using these conservation programs back in 2014. Smith: Richner says Congress can’t wait until next year to pass a farm bill. Richner: Due to the uncertainty in agriculture, whether it's an uncertainty in markets, whether it's the uncertainty in weather across the United States. Certainly, for us, the Farm Bill has been a safety net. It allows farmers like us to weather the storm and help us continue to grow food for our communities, whether it's crops or, in our case, producing beef, still able to do that because of the farm bill and the programs that it provides. Smith: She encourages farmers and ranchers to reach out to their elected officials and share their agriculture story. Richner: One of the best things a farmer and rancher can do to really get the farm bill across the finish line this year is just pick up the phone and have a conversation with your legislators or their staff. How's the farm bill impacted your farm? They say a picture's worth 1,000 words, show them those pictures. Tell them your story. Capps: Whether it's in Missouri, or right here in Tennessee, it's clear that a new Farm Bill is essential for not just farmers, but all Americans. For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio - I'm Thomas Capps.
Senator Marsha Blackburn spoke at the 83rd annual Tennessee Farm Bureau Presidents Conference. Senator Blackburn assured the farmers that she fully supports them, and that lawmakers are hard at work in Washington crafting the new 2023 Farm Bill. Thomas Capps: Senator Marsha Blackburn updating Tennessee farmers on happenings in Washington. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. Thomas Capps: Farmers from across Tennessee are in Franklin today for the 83rd annual Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation President's Conference. The two day meeting gives farmers the chance to hear from political leaders and experts on key issues impacting the agriculture industry. On Thursday, US Senator Marsha Blackburn spoke at the conference assuring that she has farmers backs and that they're hard at work crafting the 2023 Farm Bill in Washington. Senator Marsha Blackburn: I'm in each of our state's 95 counties every year. And as I talk to leaders in our farm and ag sector, they repeatedly talked to me about how difficult regulation taxation litigation makes their life. Thomas Capps: Senator Blackburn isn't sure a new Farm Bill will be passed by the September deadline, but she is opt that one will be passed by years end. Senator Marsha Blackburn: It doesn't matter if it's row crops or dairy farms. What they want is to make certain that there is a certainty and a continuation like you said, not something that goes for 12 months that there's something that's going to go for five or 10 years. Eric Mayberry: To have those type folks like the Senator to come in here and visit with us for a few minutes. It just speaks volumes about the respect they have for our organization as a whole and how we operate. From that grassroots, your way of doing business. Thomas Capps: Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Berry says this meeting is a great venue for conversations and information on key issues to be shared, as Farm Bureau policy for next year begins to be crafted. Eric Mayberry: That's grassroots and it may us we're talking to one another. We're surfacing ideas and issues that we all need to be behind as a as a as a whole voice of Tennessee agriculture for Tennessee Thomas Capps: For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps.
A group of cotton growers from Brazil are in Tennessee meeting with cotton growers form the volunteer state. They are here to learn from growers in Tennessee and hopefully take some tips back home with them. Thomas Capps Brazilian cotton growers meeting with Tennessee cotton growers. Hello and welcome to Tennessee Home and Farm Radio. I'm Thomas Capps. John Sullivan It was really informative learning, learning their process and get the show them our process. Thomas Capps A group of cotton growers from Brazil are in Tennessee this week meeting with various cotton growers in the Western and Southern part of the volunteer state. The group is here with Syngenta and all together grows around 50% of the overall cotton crop in Brazil. Imar Burdene works for Syngenta and is with the group. Their hope is to learn new practices from growers here Imar Burdene We have here technical advisors from cotton consultants, researchers, firm Koto and some growers to see the dispersion of the cotton in USA. How how the farmers are producing cotton here. Thomas Capps Burdene says one of the biggest differences in growing cotton in Brazil compared to here is the extra growing costs they spend to combat pests and weeds. Imar Burdene The pressure of the insects in Brazil is so high. Then you have here. Thomas Capps One of the Tennessee farmers they visited with was John Sullivan of Fayette County. Sullivan says it was just as informative for him as he hopes it was for the Brazilian farmers. John Sullivan You know, they were telling us about their irrigation practices and populations, just the differences in their technologies that they're using to so it was a very informative meeting. Thomas Capps He says it was an honor to show people from another nation, his operation and how he does things. John Sullivan But you know, it's a pretty proud moment when you step back and look at the big picture of things and especially getting to talking to the people from other countries to see how much farther our country is as a whole in production. And that really goes to show that our policies and practices have been paying off through the years. Thomas Capps And the hopes that perhaps their paths will cross again someday. John Sullivan They invited us down to Brazil, that they'd love to show us around there so well maybe maybe we'll take them up on that offer. Thomas Capps For Tennessee Home and Farm Radio, I'm Thomas Capps.
