The 2005 Farm Gate Report indicates that Georgia's agricultural production value continued to expand in 2005, but at a very modest pace. Vegetable prices were higher in 2005 than 2004 accounting for most of the 24% increase (up $170 million) in the value of vegetable production. Fruit and nut production values were also higher with blueberries (up $10 million) and pecan production (up $40 million) showing the greatest gains. Cotton production and yields were good and, along with expanded peanut acreage, resulted in increased row and forage crop values. Cotton and peanuts contributed a combined $155 million increase compared to 2004.

The Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development (CAED) conducted an interview with pecan shellers in the southeast to gauge interest in new preservation technology to retard rancidity. The CAED was able to identify 99 businesses throughout the south involved with pecan shelling. Each of these business was mailed a survey with a return envelope. The surveys were mailed in April and May of 2005, A total of 26 surveys were returned and the data analyzed.

Increased dairy farm production in southern Georgia has potential to increase economic activity throughout the region, as well as all of Georgia. In addition to creating general business activity in support of dairy operations, feed input requirements create demand for agricultural products. Analyses for each of four regions in southern Georgia show with $3.598 million in total sales a dairy farm produces an average of another $3.559 million in annual economic activity within each region resulting in an average $7.157 million total output impact. Employment in the agricultural sector is impacted as crop farms satisfy increased demand from feeding livestock.

State impacts of a dairy farm in southern Georgia include $4.266 million in indirect economic activity for a total state output impact of $7.864 million. Although the agricultural sector receives the greatest benefits of dairy production, other sectors have significant sales and employment increases as a result of dairy production. Fluid milk manufacturing is an enterprise separate from production that has a state level impact of $9.807 million for each dairy farm with 1000 milk cows.

The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition is a trade show and attraction held annually in Moultrie, GA during October. The large number of attendees relative to the limited accommodations in the immediate Moultrie area leads to businesses throughout a 50-mile radius realizing economic activity during the Expo.

Total economic output in a 20-county region attributable to the Expo is $14.1 million. Income of $4.7 million is generated for employees and proprietors in the region. Activities related to the Expo involve 411 part-time and full-time jobs. The 20 counties in the region collect $271,672 in local tax revenues because of business activity associated with the Expo. State tax collections total $590,273. With typical growth for the Georgia economy, the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition is projected to contribute $162.5 million in economic output over the next 10 years to the Moultrie region.

Demand for pecans has been stagnant over the last seven years, leading pecan producers to look for new ways of increasing demand. With new preservation techniques it may be possible to produce snack products of pecans similar to that of peanuts. In order to determine potential consumer demand for pecan snacks and other potential products requiring an extended shelf-life, a national survey of 913 people was performed in order to obtain data on the demographics and buying habits of pecans consumers. A Tobit model was used to analyze the survey data to determine the mean Willingness to Pay for a pecan snack product. The mean willingness to pay was estimated to be $0.89 for a snack size bag of pecans. In addition, the average pecan consumer does not purchase pecans very often, fewer than three times a year, with most purchasing one pound bags of halves. Almost eight percent of pecan consumers surveyed indicated that they had a problem with rancidity in pecans.

The consumer study indicated a potential for pecan products requiring an economical method to preserve quality and flavor. Four potential methods to treat pecans to extend storage and reduce rancidity were evaluated. Chemical analysis of treated pecans at 3 and 6 months indicated that rancidity levels (as measured by peroxide value) were only slightly higher for pecans exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide and supercritical carbon dioxide plus an antioxidant treatment, stored at room temperature, as compared to the frozen control pecans. Pecans treated with the antioxidant but not exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide had lower rancidity levels than untreated pecans stored at room temperature but were significantly higher than the supercritical carbon dioxide treatments and the frozen pecans. Preliminary taste test results were contrary to the chemical analysis and indicated that there may be unfavorable attribute changes (flavor, texture etc.) associated with the supercritical carbon dioxide treatment methods even though the methods seem effective in controlling rancidity.