An Overview of the Small Grain Industry in Georgia Small Grains An Overview of the Small Grain Industry in Georgia Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Dr. Frank Flanders and Catrina Kennedy October 2006

Objectives The student will be able to: Describe the production of small grains in Georgia. Compare Georgia to other states in small grain production. Identify types of small grains.

Georgia’s Commodity Value Item Rank by sale Sales ($1000) Percent of total sales Poultry and eggs 1 2,780,214 56.6 Vegetables, melons, and potatoes 2 383,556 7.8 Cotton and cotton seed 3 318,013 6.5 Nursery, greenhouse, floriculture 4 315,324 6.4 Other crops and hay 5 246,936 Cattle and calves 6 240,070 4.9 Milk and other dairy products from cows 7 212,720 4.3 Fruits, tree nuts and berries 8 122,151 2.5 Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, and dry peas 9 102,464 2.1 Tobacco 10 89,058 1.8

Small Grain Products Livestock feed Cereal Bread Pasta Flour Lotion Pet food Food dye Mouthwash Plastic Shampoo

Top Producing Counties in Georgia 1. Randolph County 2. Sumter County 3. Jefferson County 4. Early County 5. Terrell County *2001

US Production of Small Grains Colorado Oklahoma Texas Nebraska Wyoming

Types of Small Grains Grain sorghum Pearl millet Wheat Oats Barley Rye

Interesting Facts Grains are actually grasses. Cereal grains were some of the first domesticated plants, and are the most important staple foods throughout the world.  Cereal grains are the least expensive source of calories for human consumption. A grain elevator in Hutchinson, Kansas is 1/2 mile long and holds 46 million bushels in its 1,000 bins.

Assessment What county in Georgia produces the most small grains? What is the leading state in grain production? List three types of grain. List five products made from grains. Where do grains rank among other Georgia commodities?

Answers Randolph County Colorado Grain sorghum, Pearl millet, Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye Answers will vary 9th