Southeast AgNET

The private industry citrus crop forecast made by Elizabeth Steger each August does not stay secret for long. According to what we’re hearing, this year her 198 million box forecast for Florida’s 2007-2008 orange crop took many by surprise. As noted in today’s radio report linked below, the official USDA Citrus Crop Forecast is set to be released at 8:30 a. m. the morning of Friday, October 12, 2007, and as we have done for the past 11 years or more, we will be broadcasting it “live” on our citrus news radio station affiliates as well as over the internet, so stay tuned for more details on that. Sponsoring the “live” broadcast this year is Stallings Crop Insurance, by the way, and we’ll have more news to come about a special grower breakfast they plan to host again this year at Ray-Bob Groves near Alturas.
Report (2:00 mp3)
Sponsoring this news report:
Pre-register for Seminars and Trade Show attendance at
Find information at USDA’s Website About the Citrus Health Response Program

At the recent annual summer meeting of the Florida Fertilizer and Agrichemical Association (FFAA) several speakers addressed Florida’s urban growth and the prospects for agriculture in the future as Florida’s population is sure to continue to expand. The first report posted below features Sr Vice President Richard Woodruff of Wilson Miller Engineering firm in Ft Myers, discussing how the statewide mindset needs to change to save Florida from continual expansion and congestion in Florida’s already existing urban centers. The second report posted below has the entire interview segment with Mr Woodruff, about 3-1/2 minutes total. By the way, Wilson Miller is one of the firms doing a lot of work on the Babcock Ranch deal in southwest Florida that garnered so much news coverage in recent months.
Report (2:00 mp3)
Report (2:00 mp3)

Many folks love baseball and many love beef, and the two have combined for what’s been a great promotion during every home game of the Montgomery Biscuits AA Baseball team this season.  Report (1:10 mp3)

The Georgia Beef Board, thanks to the beef checkoff, held another Beef 101 Course this past week.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Through the beef checkoff, the Florida Beef Council is again working with retail and food service personel through their Beef 101 Seminars.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Goat & sheep producers in Alabama are reminded of the Small Ruminant Conference coming up August 23rd & 24th in Talladega.  Report (:25 mp3)

Cattle producers across the Southeast are reminded now is a great time to talk with your legislators about issues they will be dealing with in Washington after the August recess is over.  Report (:30 mp3)

The North Florida Research & Education Center in Marianna, Fl. will hold their annual Peanut Field Day on Thursday, August 23rd.  Report (:20 mp3)

Tropical storm activity appears to be picking up which could be welcome news for parts of the southeast suffering from extreme drought, or it could mean hurricanes on the way.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Report (:45 mp3)

Plans have been approved to consolidate 16 Georgia Farm Service Agency offices with other USDA service centers. Offices that will be closed and consolidated with others are Baker, Brantley, Coweta, Dougherty, Evans, Greene, Habersham, Houston, Irwin, Johnson, Lanier, Pulaski, Seminole, Taylor, Ware, and Wheeler.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin of Iowa says the Conservation Security Program will be in the 2007 Farm Bill – or there won’t be a bill.

Report (1:00 mp3)

 Report (:45 mp3)

The farmer that does not stay up with new production technologies may soon be doing something else.  Farmers in the southeast take off certain days from their busiest time of the year to attend Sunbelt Expo Field Day so they can stay up with the times and learn.  Everett Griner talks to us today about what’s in store at the event.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Citrus Expo is a private industry two-day seminar and trade show program for commercial citrus growers, grove owners, managers and industry leaders. It is set for Wednesday and Thursday, August 22 & 23, 2007 in Ft Myers. Hear more general details in report one posted below. In the second report, Dr Bill Castle at University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred says day two of the seminars should have some valuable production tips regarding future grove designs and production systems applications.
Report (2:00 mp3)
Report (2:00 mp3)
Sponsoring this news posting: and
Pre-register for Seminars and Trade Show attendance at
Find information at USDA’s Website About the Citrus Health Response Program

Insect pressure is starting to build in Georgia, according to extension cotton agronomist Steve Brown.

Report (:45 mp3)

USDA NASS

Scorching temperatures and parched soil conditions in most of northern and now parts of south-eastern Alabama caused almost 52 percent of the state to be categorized by the U.S. Drought Monitor as suffering from exceptional drought conditions.

Report (1:30 mp3)

USDA NASS

The Ag appropriations bill recently passed by the House includes funding to continue the implementation of practices to reduce dairy and poultry runoff impacting the Suwannee River. Florida state conservationist Niles Glasgow with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service says this cooperative program has been extremely effective.

Report (1:00 mp3)

The Marion County (FL) Farm Bureau board voted last week to support two scholarship endowments for a total of $130,000 – $30,000 for Central Florida Community College in Ocala and $100,000 for the University of Florida

Report (:30 mp3)

Many livestock producers were concerned with the fact  they needed to participate in NAP in order to receive funds from the disaster aid package signed by Congress. But President Bush has signed a measure to solve that problem.  Report (:30 mp3)

While scattered rains have occured in some parts of the state, it’s not enough to even come close to solving the drought situation across much of Georgia.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Florida’s State Veterinarian encourages all counties in the state to learn more and be involved with the State Agriculture Response Team.  Report (1:15 mp3)

To learn more log on www.flsart.org

According to Dr. Soren Rodning, Alabama Extension Veterinarian, the recent BVD programs across the state went very well. He hopes every cattle producer will take the time to look into the new tests available for BVD.  Report (1:20 mp3)

For farmers wanting to know more about how to deal with a crackdown on illegal workers, here are some communications courtesy of Dade County Farm Bureau in Homestead, Florida that may be helpful.
Dade County Farm Bureau News (pdf file)
Dade County Farm Bureau News Part II (pdf file)
Sponsoring this news posting:

Your next six pack might cost you more.  Barley farmers have began to switch to producing barley for production of ethanol.  This is putting the squeeze on the brewery owners.  Everett Griner tells us all about this.  Report (1:00 mp3)

According to reports we’re getting from a number of sources, a federal crackdown on employers who employ illegal immigrants could be imminent. Growers are encouraged to contact their grower associations for details on how to best prepare. By the way, for growers interested in obtaining foreign labor legally, the sponsor of this report is a good place to start. Click on the H2A-USA icon below to go to their website.
Report (2:00 mp3)
Sponsoring this news posting:

Dogs have proven to be very effective in a number of industries for a number of purposes, including detection of hard to find bombs, cadavers, bee hives, snakes, termites, bedbugs, even some cancers in human beings. Research would be necessary to see if it can work for detection of crop diseases like canker or greening in citrus, but some citrus researchers and a well-known dog trainer are developing a project to learn more. Hear comments from Jose “Pepe” Peruyero of J&K Canine Academy in this report, and meet Pepe and his new sidekick “Juice” at Citrus Expo next week (This is NOT “Juice” in the photograph!). They will be stationed in the Southeast AgNet exhibit at Citrus Expo on Wednesday, August 22nd at Lee Civic Center. Growers should pre-register to be entered into a drawing for a gun safe donated by Everglades Farm Equipment.
Report (2:00 mp3)

The latest supply and demand forecast brings news about corn prices that livestock producers are glad to hear, that is compared to earlier forecasts.  Report (1:15 mp3)

Tyron Spearman has more news coming out of Washington concerning the Farm Bill.  Report (:50 mp3)

The muscle profiling research brought some new and exciting beef cuts to consumers, some which are doing very well thanks to the beef checkoff.  Report (:30 mp3)

The Georgia Cotton Commission invites all growers in the state to attend the Cotton Research Tour on August 21.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Land management for any purpose requires planning, time, labor, and money. Most landowners, managers and operators are interested in wildlife, but they may forget to think about it sometimes, according to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama.

Report (1:45 mp3)