From the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association: We just got word that the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has approved our request for a special Drought Emergency Declaration for hay hauling. Permits are available for loads up to 12′ wide and 14′ high up to 80,000 lbs. on five axles. The PERMIT FEES are WAIVED. Simply call the permit office at 1-800-499-2782.
EQIP Signup Deadline in Florida is Next Week
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until October 21 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2017 funding. Download Audio
Alabama NRCS Signup Batching Deadline is Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind landowners that next Friday, October 21st is the signup batching date for producers for 2017 funding for a variety of conservation programs. Download Audio
Screwworm Life Cycle and Habits Contribute to Insect’s Threat
From the University of Florida/IFAS By: Tom Nordlie GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida residents curious or skeptical about the threat posed by the parasitic screwworm fly Cochliomiya hominivorax can rest assured the insect merits all the attention it has received after an outbreak was detected in the Florida Keys earlier this month, say experts with the University of Florida Institute of …
Online Hay Listing Now Available for Alabama Farmers
From the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries: Montgomery, AL- The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries in cooperation with the Alabama Agribusiness Council, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Alabama Farmers Federation are launching an on-line hay listing to address the urgent need for hay that livestock producers are experiencing during the current drought …
Commissioner Putnam Announces 2017 Agriculture Hall of Fame Honorees
From the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced today four honorees who will be inducted into the Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame for 2017. These individuals have made outstanding contributions to Florida’s agriculture industry and mentored future leaders in this field. The …
Gulf Coast Ag Lands and Ecosystems Restoration
A three year strategy was recently announced to improve water quality and ecosystem health along the five gulf coast states affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, Jason Weller, has more information about this new conservation effort. Download Audio
Judge Refuses to Halt Changes in Water Standards
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM SAUNDERS THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, October 11, 2016………. An administrative law judge has refused to block the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from moving forward with new water-quality standards as legal battles continue over the controversial plan. Judge Bram D.E Canter issued an order Monday rejecting a request by the Seminole Tribe of …
USDA Announces Plans to Purchase Surplus Cheese
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: LA CROSSE, Wisc., Oct. 11, 2016 – Following a roundtable discussion with dairy producers near La Crosse, Wisc. today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering to purchase $20 million of cheddar cheese to reduce a private cheese surplus that has reached record levels, while assisting food …
USDA Offers Hurricane Impacted Florida Farmers and Livestock Producers Immediate Disaster Assistance
From USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Florida: (Gainesville, FL) – October 11, 2016 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Florida Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director, Rick Dantzler, reminds farmers and livestock producers of federal farm program benefits that may be available to help eligible producers recover from recent heavy rains, flooding and other qualifying natural disaster events related to …