#Plant26: Severe Drought Slows Spring Planting Progress in Georgia

Donald Chase of Chase Farms joined us to discuss drought conditions, planting progress, input costs, and the outlook for Georgia agriculture.

OGLETHORPE, Ga. (RFD NEWS) —Spring planting progress shows southern farmers navigating severe drought, with some pausing planting until conditions improve.

Donald Chase, owner of Chase Farms and Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report with the latest update from his region.

In his interview with RFD News, Chase provided background on his corn and peanut operation and shared how long he has been farming. He also discussed current weather conditions, noting the impact of the drought on his area this season.

Chase addressed planting progress, explaining how dry conditions have affected timing and whether they have pushed operations off schedule. He compared this year’s conditions to previous seasons and how they stack up so far.

He also spoke about input costs, including fertilizer and diesel, and whether those challenges have created hurdles or if supplies were already secured. In addition, Chase discussed the outlook for peanuts as Chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission, including industry concerns and recent demand trends.

Finally, he shared his outlook for the growing season moving forward.

Related Stories
Eastern Region VP Joey Nowotny of Delaware joins us on FFA Today to talk about his new leadership role and an exciting year ahead for the National FFA Organization.
Georgia has regained its HPAI-free status after a swift response to October’s detection. Commissioner Tyler Harper urges producers to stay vigilant and maintain biosecurity.
While this month’s WASDE report will not include updated figures on U.S. crop size, officials say it will offer a clearer picture of crop conditions in the Southern Hemisphere.
Southern producers head into 2026 with thin margins, tighter credit, and rising agronomic risks despite scattered yield improvements.
Record yields and exceptionally low BCFM strengthen U.S. corn’s competitive position in global markets.
Water access—not acreage alone—is driving where irrigation expands or contracts.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jael Cruikshank, the newly elected Western Region Vice President, shares her story on this week’s FFA Today.
Shaun Haney, host of RealAg Radio, provides the latest insight into the timing, expectations, and broader considerations of the potential aid package, despite increasing exports to China.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen reviews the history of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and outlines how shifting definitions across multiple administrations have created regulatory confusion for landowners.
Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us in the studio on Monday to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presidential turkey pardon.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.