EPA Finalizes Interim Rules on Atrazine Use by Farmers

Clint Thompson Environment

Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that farmers can apply before and after planting to control broadleaf and grassy weeds. It’s used primarily on corn, sorghum and sugarcane, and to a lesser extent, on residential lawns and golf courses. The Environmental Protection Agency released the Interim Registration Review Decision for atrazine, as well as propazine and simazine. With the rule, …

Warnell Deer Researchers See Face Coverings Differently

Clint Thompson Environment, Georgia

By Destin Kee/University of Georgia For students who work in the University of Georgia’s Deer Research Laboratory, the concept of face coverings is not new. That’s because when researchers study white-tailed deer, face coverings are used to keep the animals calm while necessary data is collected. Lately this data, such as size or DNA, has been collected as part of …

farm bill

MOU Signing Recognizes Decades of Work

Clint Thompson Environment

Last week, a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the Public Lands Council (PLC), Ducks Unlimited (DU), Safari Club International (SCI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was signed outlining the groups’ shared commitment to healthy natural resources and collective conservation of habitat through sustainable multiple use. NCBA Executive Director of Natural …

USDA/EPA Announce Next Generation Fertilizer Challenges

Clint Thompson Environment, USDA

On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a joint EPA-USDA partnership and competition to advance agricultural sustainability in the United States. The competition includes two challenges that seek proposals for new and existing fertilizer technologies to maintain or improve crop yields while reducing the impacts of …

conservation

Federal, State Agencies Highlight Cooperative Approach to Land Management

Clint Thompson Environment, Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla.– Aug. 19, 2020 –A Shared Stewardship agreement between the USDA’s Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Forest Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was signed yesterday during a virtual ceremony. This agreement establishes a framework for federal and state agencies …

Appeals Court Rejects Dicamba Rehearing Request

Clint Thompson Alabama, Environment, Florida, Georgia

The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this week declined a rehearing request on its June dicamba decision. The decision leaves Bayer, Corteva and BASF with one final legal option to overturn the ruling vacating registration of dicamba herbicides: appealing to the Supreme Court. On June 3, the court vacated the registration for Bayer’s XtendiMax, Corteva’s FeXapan and BASF’s Engenia, …

new nrcs

USDA’s Conservation Chief Returning to Farming

Clint Thompson Environment

It’s been announced that the Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Matt Lohr will be stepping down. Gary Crawford talked with him about the fact he is needed back on the farm, thus the decision to leave NRCS.

watering

Watering Tools to Help Solve Your Drought Problems

Dan Drought, Irrigation, This Land of Ours, Water

Some watering tools to help solve your dry yard problems. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you’re not getting enough rain there are some products like hoses and sprinkler systems that will help your thirsty potted plants, garden plants, and lawn have everything they need to stay healthy and hydrated. It’s much easier to maneuver around the …

Rainy Forecast to Help Alleviate Dry Conditions

Clint Thompson Alabama, Drought, Drought, Florida, Georgia, Weather

Farmers in Alabama, Georgia and most of Florida can expect to receive substantial amount of rainfall over the next few weeks, said Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist. It should help alleviate some of the drought-like conditions that are being experienced in all three states. “I looked at the forecast for the next two weeks and it …

fried

Commissioner Fried Announces Second Phase of Improvements to Prescribed Burning Program

Clint Thompson Environment, Florida

Tallahassee, Fla.– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service announced today a second phase of major enhancements to the prescribed burning program, which is authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Prescribed burning in Florida is a national model for successfully managing statewide forests and lands through safe, controlled, carefully managed prescribed fire. A scientifically sound …