Touring South Georgia Pecan Company

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to tour South Georgia Pecan Company's processing facility in Valdosta.

South Georgia Pecan Co. is a major supplier of shelled pecans to companies such as Sam's Club, Costco, and Walmart. They have facilities in Valdosta and El Paso, Texas. Their processing facility was impressive, and I enjoyed seeing the great work they are doing.

Visiting with the Livestock Market Association

Last Wednesday, I visited the Turner County Stockyards, in Ashburn, to meet with Association members and producers. It brought back many memories of being at the Stockyards as a young boy.

Beef is a top agricultural commodity in our state with an estimated valuation of $1.2 billion. Georgia is home to around 15,000 cattle producers and roughly 1 million head of cattle. I enjoyed spending time with these important producers and seeing what they are doing to contribute to our state's agriculture industry.

Touring Cemex's Cement Plant

Last Thursday, I visited the Cemex cement plant in Clinchfield to take a tour and learn more about the work they are doing to produce cement for distribution across the Southeast.

This quarry and plant have been in operation in our district for over 100 years and is the only cement plant in the state of Georgia. I enjoyed hearing from their team and seeing the impact they make right here in Middle Georgia.

Election Will Determine Farm Bill Success if Delayed Until Lameduck

Georgia Congressman Austin Scott is the vice chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, right behind Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson in the Republican majority. Scott remains optimistic the farm bill will get across the finish line this year. “The one caveat to that would be Senator (Chuck) Schumer; if the Democrats did win (the majority in the November election), I think that he would pull back and not allow the bill to go forward until they had control of the committee.” During Farmfest, Scott told RRFN he believes the  Republicans will ultimately control the House and the Senate in the next term, but admits margins are tight. “We are in the middle of primary season and primaries get a little crazier than general elections sometimes. As you know in Minnesota, but once the primaries are over, there will be an opportunity there.”

Read the full article here.