Animal Production Resources
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In today’s farming environment of extreme price volatility and large debt commitments, most livestock producers need the security of one or more of the advantages offered by price risk management. Livestock producers who are selling products or purchasing inputs can do one of two things when making pricing decisions: accept the market price when they are ready to deliver products or purchase inputs, or reduce input and product price risks by using price risk management tools. One of these price risk management opportunities is available through futures markets contracts. This publication explains how livestock producers can use futures markets to manage price risk.
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AP 130-4-07
2026 Beef Outlook
The key points for 2026 are: Tight supplies will support prices at very high levels in 2026; cattle inventories appear to be stabilizing this year, but a major expansion appears to be further in the future; and weakness in consumer demand—either from softening ability or willingness to pay for high-priced beef—is a significant risk to the outlook.
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AP 130-4-08
2026 Dairy Outlook
The key points for 2026 are: The outlook faces headwinds on increasing production that appears to be outpacing demand; potential improvements on the supply and demand balance may occur later in the year; and opportunities from new local processing could support Georgia producers this year.
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AP 130-4-09
2026 Georgia Broiler Industry Forecast
The key points for 2026 are: The year ahead is likely to become one of stable, incremental growth; after a strong start to 2025, significant production growth weighed on prices in the latter half; and in 2026, supply and demand will likely find a better balance with indications of relatively stable prices.
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The southeastern blueberry bee is an economically valuable pollinator in commercial blueberry production in Georgia. Researchers see a need for conservation of this species, and this resource provides detailed information on its identification, biology, nesting habitat, and floral hosts. It also incorporates research data from recent study in commercial blueberry system in south Georgia.
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This resource will help producers understand how to ensure they get high-quality milk from their goats. The core characteristics of high quality dairy goat milk are milk with low bacteria counts, milk with acceptable somatic cell count numbers, and milk with ideal flavor and appearance. Readers will learn about strategies for milk quality evaluation and improvement. Achieving high milk quality is not only essential for the health of the animal and optimal production; it is also critical for adhering to regulatory parameters and maintaining customer satisfaction.
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Bees are among the most populous, diverse, and effective pollinators. Approximately 70% of bee species nest in the ground, spending their larval and pupal stages underground. This resource helps residents understand how to help these bees as continued urbanization threatens natural spaces and land degradation, pollution, and habitat destruction present serious challenges to sustaining bee populations.
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A pollinator-friendly and ecologically sustainable garden is both beautiful and able to attract and sustain beneficial insects, reducing the need for pesticides. This publication is based on new research in habitat management for purposes of planting insect-attracting plant species in order to intentionally draw insects to garden areas and urban landscapes. This is done by providing a refuge for the insects during winter and nectar and pollen resources. Plant selection directly affects beneficial insect populations, those insects that can provide ecological benefits such as biodiversity and natural pest control. This concept of “habitat management” can lead to potential increases in pollinating and other beneficial insect populations. An increase in these populations in landscapes will contribute to improved pollination of plants and biological pest control and reduce the need for pesticides.
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When examining horses for conformation, either when considering a purchase or competing in horse judging contests, it is important to break things down into key principles to avoid becoming overwhelmed when putting the overall picture together. There are five main criteria to evaluate when examining a horse’s conformation: balance, structural correctness, way of going, muscling, and breed/sex character (also known as type). This publication describes each of these criteria in detail.
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