Georgia Ag Commissioner: Invasive Yellow-Legged Hornet Sparks Concern for Pollinators and Agriculture

Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper explains the growing threat of invasive hornets in his state and what Southeastern growers should watch for this spring.

yellow-legged-hornet_GA-dept-of-Ag.jpg

Yellow-Legged Hornet

Georgia Department of Agriculture

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA (RFD NEWS) — The Georgia Department of Agriculture is urging growers to stay vigilant as state and federal agencies work to eradicate a new, invasive yellow-legged hornet, raising concerns for agriculture. Officials warn the Yellow-Legged Hornet is a major threat to honeybees and other pollinators.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to provide an update on the hornet.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Harper outlined the risks this species of hornet poses, current eradication efforts with APHIS and UGA, and how producers can identify and respond to sightings. Finally, he shared a look at planting progress from his own farm and spring planting conditions in the region.

Related Stories
Museum explores how early car makers played a part in advancing agriculture
Dr. Jeffrey Gold with the University of Nebraska joined us to explain public health in rural communities and highlight resources residents can access to stay healthy
Sponsored
Matt Dolch with Syngenta discusses rootworm pressure, the latest trait technologies, and how corn growers can plan for 2027.
ASFMRA’s Howard Halderman gives an update on Corn Belt farmland values, buyer activity, and what to expect for the rest of 2026 as geopolitical tensions and bridge payments move
The thief pleaded guilty and received an eight-year sentence.
During World War II, Augusta National Golf Club temporarily became a working farm, raising cattle and turkeys and harvesting pecans to support the war effort.

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:

Overall, the report suggests a shift toward more comfortable supply levels, with demand emerging as a key factor to watch in the months ahead.
Tidal Grow’s Align-N system delivers urea nitrogen directly to leaves, improving nutrient efficiency and boosting crop yields for farmers.
Farmers this year will finally be able to update their base acres with the USDA, something that experts warn must be done with complete accuracy.
“Cow goggles” are helping farmers experience cattle vision in real time, offering new tools to reduce stress, improve movement, and enhance livestock management.
Fewer interruptions could translate to improved efficiency—and fewer costly delays when timing matters most.
K-State’s Dr. Gregg Ibendahl breaks down the impacts of the Middle East ceasefire on energy markets and input costs, and what farmers should watch in the weeks ahead.
Agriculture Shows
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.
RFD-TV has partnered with a handful of agricultural social media influencers whom we have dubbed The New Crop. These folks have taken to the internet to tell their stories and to raise awareness of where our food comes from and all that goes into feeding the world population.
The goal of “Where the Food Comes From” is as simple as its name implies — host Chip Carter takes you along on the journey of where our food comes from — and we don’t just mean to the supermarket (though that’s part of the big picture!). But beyond where it comes from, how it gets there, and all the links in the chain that make that happen.
Join markets specialist Scott Shellady, better known as the Cow Guy, as he covers the market-close, breaking down headlines that drive the commodities and equities markets with commentary from respected industry heavyweights.