USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants farmers and landowners to know a signup period has been announced for 2016 funding through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). While NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, producers should submit applications by March 31 to ensure they are considered for enrollment in 2016. Download Audio
Celebrating Florida Agriculture Day
University of Florida/IFAS Watching Legislative Budget Talks From the University of Florida/IFAS: At week four the budget process is moving extremely fast and is ahead of schedule. Committee budget plans for both the House and Senate were unveiled and passed throughout last week. The proposed budgets could
Georgia Cotton Commission Disappointed with USDA Decision
The Georgia Cotton Commission, along with many others in the cotton industry, are disappointed with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s decision concerning the request by cotton producers that USDA qualify cottonseed for the PLC and ARC safety net programs. Download Audio
National Cotton Council Disappointed with Cottonseed Designation Decision
From the National Cotton Council: MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The National Cotton Council is extremely disappointed in Agriculture Secretary Vilsack’s comments that USDA believes its legal interpretation of the farm bill does not provide the authority to make the cottonseed designation. We continue to believe, like a broad group of Members of Congress, that USDA clearly has this authority as described …
The ACA Offers a Cattle Theft Reward Program for Stolen or Destroyed Cattle
From the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association: MONTGOMERY— In light of the unfortunate calf butchering occurrences that have taken place on Lauderdale County cattle operations, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) urges state cattlemen and cattlewomen to remember the Cattle Theft Reward member benefit. The ACA offers a Cattle Theft Reward program that awards $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction …
Chairman Conaway Statement on Secretary Vilsack’s Comments Regarding Cotton Crisis
From the House Committee on Agriculture: Following media reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture intends to deny urgently needed assistance to American cotton farmers and the rural communities that depend on the U.S. cotton industry, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement. “I greatly appreciate that Secretary Vilsack has been taking time to consider …
Water Projects Splits Senate GOP Leaders
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM SAUNDERS THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, February 3, 2016………. In a move that caused a clash among Republican leaders, the Senate budget committee Wednesday approved spending $7.5 million for a project to address what lawmakers say is an environmental “emergency” in areas around Lake Okeechobee.
Syngenta, ChemChina Deal Looks Imminent
ChemChina Offers $43 Billion in Cash to Acquire Syngenta ChemChina, the largest chemical corporation in China, offers $43 billion in cash to acquire Syngenta. The company says it supports the acquisition, a deal that will help modernize agriculture in China and help secure a food chain for the future.
Beloved UF Veterinary Medical Professor Passes Away
From the University of Florida Health News: GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A longtime University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member who spent his career working to improve public health, the health of livestock and the lives of veterinary medical students through scholarship support passed away Sunday (Jan. 31) at the age of 83. Paul Nicoletti, D.V.M., M.S., a professor …
Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show is Next Week
The annual Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show will be held Thursday, Feb. 11th at the National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds, located on Hwy. 231 South in Dothan, Alabama. Sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association and the Florida Peanut Producers Association, the one-day event offers farmers a full day to view the products and services of more than 80 exhibitors and a …