Cultivating the Next Generation in Agriculture

The truth is we all must eat to survive. Without proper nutrition, we don’t learn, advance or contribute to society. With the world’s population expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, the agricultural industry therefore has a significant responsibility to supply this demand. It also has the opportunity to grow its economic importance as it expands to feed a growing global community. Today, the agriculture industry is a vital driver of the Canadian economy, contributing over $122 billion dollars each year to the national GDP.

 

However, the agricultural industry faces challenges in properly harnessing this growth, and risks missing out on millions of dollars in potential lost sales. The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council attributes this risk to an aging agricultural workforce, a reality further compounded by the 600 fewer youth entering the sector each year. The number of unfilled positions in agriculture is expected to climb as high as 123,000 within the next decade, leaving a talent gap that risks further hindering the industry’s ability to maintain its economic strength.

 

It is therefore vital that producers and industry stakeholders work to inspire the next generation to embark on agricultural careers. By investing in educational and community-based initiatives, Bayer wants to inspire and excite youth by showcasing the wealth of opportunities in the sector, both on and off the farm.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.