The Dogs that Protect Florida’s $120 Billion Agriculture Industry

Randall Weiseman Citrus, Florida, General, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Protecting Florida’s $120 billion agriculture industry requires a multifaceted approach, including the assistance of several four-legged, furry helpers. During the dog days of summer, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is showcasing its lesser-known staff members—rescue dogs trained to detect invasive pests and disease. “Dogs’ unparalleled sense of …

Florida Forest Service Breaks National Prescribed Fire Record

Randall Weiseman Florida, Forestry, General, Industry News Release

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that the Florida Forest Service treated more than 246,000 acres of state forests with prescribed fire over the last 12 months, the highest number ever reported by a state forestry agency in United States history. The Florida Forest Service, …

Forest Service Report: Rising Firefighting Costs Raises Alarms

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Florida, Forestry, General, Georgia, Industry News Release

U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2015 — For the first time in its 110-year history, the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is spending more than 50 percent of its budget to suppress the nation’s wildfires. A new report released today by the Forest Service estimates that within a decade, the agency will spend more …

UGA Researchers Discover How Parasitic Plants Know When to Attack

Randall Weiseman Field Crops, General, Georgia, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

From the University of Georgia: Athens, Ga. – An international team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Georgia (UGA) has discovered how parasitic plants, which steal their nutrients from another living plant, evolved the ability to detect and attack their hosts. Their findings, published recently in the journal Science, could lead to new techniques to control the …

Southeast AgNet This Week: Bullying Researchers; Peanut Crop Issues

Tacy Callies Agri View, Alabama, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Cotton, Dairy, Energy, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, General, Georgia, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Peanuts, Pork, Poultry, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables

Today’s issue of Southeast AgNet This Week includes a report on University of Florida/IFAS researchers being harassed as well as a few issues being found in Southeastern peanut fields. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe and view the current issue.

Florida Forest Service Sends Crew to Battle Wildfires in California

Randall Weiseman Florida, Forestry, General, Industry News Release

From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that the Florida Forest Service is sending a crew of 20 wildland firefighters to assist wildfire suppression efforts in northern California. Wildland firefighters are currently battling more than a dozen large wildfires in northern California, including the

USDA Video: USDA Week In Review July 31

Dan Alabama, Florida, General, Georgia, Industry News Release, Industry Videos-Promoting Agriculture, Weather

A weekly look at some of the events and activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In this edition of USDA Week In Review: Relief for the California drought? And art against food waste. For more information go to: www.usda.gov www.usda.gov/oce/weather/ www.usda.gov/oce www.rd.usda.gov blogs.usda.gov www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov