UGA’s Ag Forecast to connect state’s economy to farm economy

By Clint Thompson and Chad Cain

Jan. 28, 2020

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2 min read

There is still time to register for the 2020 Georgia Ag Forecast seminar series, which is set to begin Jan. 21 in five locations across the state.

Jeffrey Dorfman, the state fiscal economist for Georgia and a professor at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), will serve as the keynote speaker for four of the five locations: Macon, Lyons, Bainbridge and Tifton, Georgia.

Todd Southerland, a senior vice president and food and agribusiness industry manager at SunTrust Bank, will be the keynote speaker and provide a more in-depth poultry outlook at the forecast event set for Gainesville, Georgia, on Jan. 23.

These meetings not only allow UGA agricultural economists to speak with Georgia farmers, lenders and agribusiness leaders, but also provide an assessment of the economic outlook for Georgia’s No. 1 industry, agriculture.

“Right now, economic data is mixed with good and bad news for the future of Georgia’s economy,” Dorfman said. “It’s important to cut through the noise and focus on the fundamentals.”

Economists from the CAES Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics will forecast the 2020 growing season for Georgia producers, emphasizing Georgia’s major commodities, such as cotton, peanuts and corn.

“Ag Forecast is an important opportunity that the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences uses to provide the ag industry with an idea of what it can expect for the upcoming growing season,” CAES Dean Sam Pardue said. “The decisions producers make now will benefit them next year and that’s why these meetings are important every year.”

The 2020 Georgia Ag Forecast registration fee is $25 per person and includes a meal. It will be held on the following dates at the locations below: