Water Projects Splits Senate GOP Leaders

Randall Weiseman Ag "Outdoors", Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, General, Industry News Release, Livestock, Specialty Crops, Water

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.

Wet Weather Affecting Citrus in Southwest Florida

Josh McGill Citrus, Florida, General, Water, Weather

Wet Weather Is Heaven for Fungal Diseases Citrus Extension agent Mongi Zekri discusses the effects of January’s record rainfall in the Immokalee area on the citrus crop. The wet weather has delayed harvesting and aggravated fungal diseases and HLB. Growers are encouraged to attend “All You Need to Know About Scouting and Managing Citrus Fungal Diseases,” a seminar at the …

WOTUS Lawsuits May Take a While

Randall Weiseman Ag "Outdoors", Alabama, Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, General, Georgia, Livestock, Specialty Crops, Water

During last week’s Cattle Industry Convention in San Diego, one topic that many were discussing was the Waters of the U.S. rule. But as we know, the joint resolution to disapprove the Waters of the U.S. rule passed by both the House and Senate was vetoed by the president. Now there are still lawsuits pending to try and stop it, …

USDA Seeks Proposals for Market-Based Wetland Protection Systems

Randall Weiseman Ag "Outdoors", Alabama, Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, General, Georgia, Industry News Release, Livestock, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS, Water

From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. Through the program, NRCS will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, …

WOTUS Discussed at Cattle Industry Convention

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Cattle, Florida, General, Georgia, Water

Its day two of the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show which runs through Friday in San Diego, California. Various topics are of course being discussed, including the Waters of the U.S. Rule. Kendal Frazier, Interim CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says WOTUS is really a question about private property rights. Download Audio

Water Farming Success

Josh McGill Citrus, Florida, General, Water

Two Indian River County Sites Approved for Water Farming Funding On January 12, the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board approved funding for two sites in Indian River County to establish water farms to help reduce nitrogen and phosphorus being dumped into the Indian River Lagoon. The nutrient-rich fresh water being dumped into the lagoon causes massive algae …

Florida Speaker Crisafulli on 2016 Session

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, General, Livestock, Specialty Crops, Water

The Florida Cattlemen’s Association’s Legislative Quarterly meetings wrapped up today in Tallahassee as a large group of both Cattlemen and Women were on hand for this year’s event. One stop during the legislative visits was the office of Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Steve Crisafull. I has a chance to talk with him