(The Center Square) – It is the question that is burning in many Georgian’s minds, and state Rep. Mack Jackson didn’t waste the opportunity to question State Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
“Why do eggs keep going up on us?” the Sandersville Democrat asked at a House Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development.
The average price for a dozen large eggs in the southeastern region, which includes Georgia, is over $6, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Jan. 27 daily report.
Most of the blame was laid on avian flu, which has affected two commercial growers in Elbert County.
“We have been in operation practically 24-7 since Jan. 16,” Harper said. “This operation is still ongoing.”
Avian flu has affected 36 states, Harper said.
“We have seen 140 million birds put down, a lot of them are egg layers,” he told the committee.
The commissioner asked for $370,000 in his mid-year budget adjustment request for equipment that could be used for avian flu and other emergency responses.
Avian flu is not the only disaster farmers have experienced in the past few months. Hurricane Helene impacted the state’s agriculture community to the tune of $5.58 billion. The state had $40 million in grant applications for the Georgia Development Authority’s Safety24 grant program. That number could swell to $140 million-$150 million, Harper said.
Harper asked for $37.4 million for renovations at Atlanta’s farmers market. Other requests include $425,772 for personnel and equipment to meet license and inspection requirements for hemp products and $2.1 million to replace high-mileage vehicles.
