From the National Association of Wheat Growers: On March 16, 2016, an industry coalition consisting of the National Association of Wheat Growers, CropLife America, the American Seed Trade Association, the Ag Retailers Association, the National Cotton Council of America, the American Soybean Association, and the National Corn Growers Association asked a federal court to allow them to join the lawsuit …
USDA Designates 2 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, March 17, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Glascock and Jefferson counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain that occurred from Sept. 15, 2015, through Dec. 22, 2015. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Georgia also qualify …
USDA Designates 11 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, March 17, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred from Jan. 3, 2016, through Jan. 29, 2016. Those counties are:
UF/IFAS Study Identifies Opportunity for Further Promotion of Florida Strawberries
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — More than three quarters of Florida’s strawberries are shipped to American markets east of the Mississippi River. Most of those out-of-state consumers enjoy the fruit, but some mistakenly think Sunshine State strawberries aren’t available at their grocery stores, a new University of Florida study shows. That means marketers and others must do a better job ensuring consumers …
U.S. Sugar-Get the Facty on Lake Okeechobee Releases
The Facts on the Lake Okeechobee Releases We share in the frustration over the Lake Okeechobee discharges. We want to collaborate in finding solutions that improve water storage and reduce the risk of discharges occurring again. But the Sierra Club’s reckless and mean-spirited attacks – which are part of their ongoing vendetta against sugarcane farmers – misdirect the focus away …
SFWMD-Get the Facts: Back Pumping
Media outlets continue to falsely report that rare emergency pumping of water into Lake Okeechobee was orchestrated by farmers. Pumping water into the lake from the south, known as “back pumping,” is used only in extreme emergency flooding situations by the South Florida Water Management District. Neither businesses nor farms have the authority or capability to pump water directly into …
Disappointed with Senate Vote on Food Labeling Legislation
The U.S. Senate today voted down an effort by Sen. Pat Roberts to prohibit states from requiring genetically modified food labels. And various agriculture groups are disappointed with the vote on this food labeling legislation. Download Audio
NCGA Disappointed with Senate Vote on Roberts Compromise Food Labeling Legislation
From the National Corn Growers Association: National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling issued the following statement today in response to the Senate’s failure to pass Chairman Pat Roberts’ uniform, national food labeling standard: “U.S. corn farmers are disappointed that, despite the clear demonstration of support from nearly 800 groups, the Senate failed to move this reasonable legislation forward. This …
USDA Announces $260 Million Available for RCPP
It was announced this week by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that through RCPP, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, they are making available up to $260 million for partner proposals to improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. Download Audio
Scott to Veto $256 Million from New Budget
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By BRANDON LARRABEE AND JIM TURNER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, March 15, 2016……….In a surprise move, Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday that he would sign the largest budget in state history while using his line-item veto relatively sparingly, defusing a potential showdown with state lawmakers. Scott said he would sign the previously $82.3 billion spending …