The senate has passed a bill that that is designed to ensure the safety of Florida grown tomatoes by setting minimum food safety standards and authorizing the state Department of Agriculture to inspect tomato farms, greenhouses and packing facilities. Download Audio
GA Gov Presented with Restored Tractor
Governor Sonny Perdue hosted the seventh annual Georgia Ag Awareness Day last week to recognize the contributions of agriculture and agribusiness to our state, but he received a thank-you of his own when he was presented with his father’s restored tractor. Download Audio
The Worlds Strongest Insect
A species of horned dung beetle has taken the title of worlds strongest insect. Download Audio
Agricultural Grant Opportunities Available
USDA is offering numerous grant programs for farmers. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative has funds to address five key societal challenges, childhood obesity prevention, climate change, food safety, global food security and sustainable bioenergy. And USDA’s Risk Management Agency also has funds available for partnership agreement grants. Download Audio
Gunter Addresses National Academies’ Citrus Greening Report
The Chief Operating Officer of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation says the Florida citrus industry will take a close look at this week’s National Academies’ suggestions for HLB management. He says one proposal, creation of Citrus Health Management Areas, would be difficult to implement in Florida. Download Audio Post sponsor: Copper coverage with Less Metallic Copper per acre.
FL Babcock Ranch Taking Care of Land
The Babcock Ranch in Florida is an example of a farm where the land is being taken well care of, helped in part by programs through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida. Download Audio
Cutting Warming Costs for Broiler Houses
Due to efforts in trying reduce the energy costs of heating chicken houses, research findings may have come up with a way to help producers reduce the cost of keeping broiler chickens warm. Download Audio
Peanut Proud Festival this Saturday
There is a big peanut event coming up this Saturday which Tyron Spearman says is open for all to attend. Download Audio
Citrus Research Officials: Foundation and UF To Agree Soon
Citrus Research and Development Foundation officials say an agreement with the University of Florida on rights to inventions discovered by university scientists is imminent. Negotiations have gone on for months, and some foundation board members just this week expressed concerns about grower rights under a proposed accord. Download Audio Post sponsor: Copper coverage with Less Metallic Copper per acre.
Citrus Research Panel Continues UF Contract Talks
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation this week proposed more changes in a contract addressing royalties and the rights to inventions created by University of Florida scientists. Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff reports on foundation board members’ concerns. Download Audio Post sponsor: Copper coverage with Less Metallic Copper per acre.