This year’s planting season has been a challenging one for farmers due to the excessive moisture. And Chip Blalock, executive director of the Sunbelt Ag Expo, says they are no different as they are trying to get crops in the ground at their 600-acre working research farm. Download Audio
Florida’s Strawberry Crop Is Ready And Super-Sweet
TALLAHASSEE – For weeks, unusually cold winter temperatures delayed Florida’s strawberry harvest, leaving grocery shelves empty. But now, finally, good news: The strawberries are ripening, and they’re even sweeter than usual. Download Audio
Possible Disaster Relief Coming
The U.S. Senate this week approved a disaster package which would help farmers affected by weather-related disasters, as this was actually a part of the Tax Extenders Act of 2009. Download Audio
Meteorological Spring
The official start of spring isn’t until March 20, but USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says you may already be hearing the term meteorological spring. Download Audio
Yet Another Freeze Warning for South Florida Winter Crop Producers
The forecast making the rounds among south Florida growers this morning from the Natoinal Weather Service: URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE…CORRECTED FOR HEADLINES NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL – 415 AM EST THU MAR 4 2010 – …FREEZING TEMPERATURES POSSIBLE TOWARDS DAWN FRIDAY…
USDA: 8 – 14 Day Weather Forecast Keeps Rain Coming in Southeast
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey predicts cooler than normal weather for much of the country, and wet conditions in the South during the period from March 9 to 15. Download Audio
Dollar Estimates on the Freeze Impact
Producers are all to well aware of the effects of the early January freeze, but economist Gary Lucier, says USDA has now put some number estimates to the cuts in vegetable production. Producer Losses Download Audio Consumer Prices Download Audio
Supply Gaps Continue for Florida Veggie Production
Even though Florida’s vegetable farmers have begun rebounding from the prolonged cold snap back in early January, buyers should still expect significant supply gaps. Download Audio
Senate Jobs Bill Would Benefit Agriculture
A 52-billion dollar bipartisan jobs bill has been introduced in the Senate, and includes disaster assistance to farmers as well as funds to assist specialty crop producers. Overview Download Audio Specialty Crops Download Audio
Irrigation Benefits to the Proposed NOAA Climate Service
The proposed National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration Climate Service could help producers with irrigation issues. Download Audio