How to Pick the Perfect Christmas Tree

How to pick the perfect Christmas tree. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Fresh cut trees are by far the most popular because of tradition and fragrance.  In addition to the lovely fragrance of a cut tree, buying a fresh Christmas tree is a great way to support Christmas tree farmers. Each region of the country has its own …

USDA Chief Economist Dr. Robert Johansson to Depart

Dr. Seth Meyer Picked as New Chief Economist (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Chief Economist, Robert Johansson, will be leaving USDA to become Associate Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance at the end of January. Additionally, the Secretary announced Dr. Seth Meyer will return to …

New Tool Helps Farmers and Ranchers Develop Custom Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention

NCBA’s Beef Quality Assurance program releases a new Beef Checkoff-funded tool to help cattle farmers and ranchers ensure they are prepared with a custom biosecurity plan. (NCBA) — In support of cattle producers across the country dedicated to preventing disease, improving animal welfare and reducing production losses, the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program developed a Daily Biosecurity Plan for …

Using Grapefruit to Deliver Medicine

University of Louisville (UofL) researchers have found a less toxic way to deliver medicines by using the natural lipids in plants, particularly grapefruit and ginger. The UofL technologies use exosomes, which are very small fragments of living, edible plant cells, to transport various therapeutic agents, including anti-cancer drugs, DNA/RNA and proteins such as antibodies. These exosomes help ensure the drug is …

Row Crops Short Course Available Online

(ACES) — Preparations for the upcoming growing season will not need to be put on hold during the pandemic. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the Auburn University College of Agriculture’s department of crop, soil and environmental sciences are partnering to bring the annual row crops short course to producers everywhere — on their own time. Available Dec. 14, topics …

Effort to Make Ag Workers a Top Vaccine Priority

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) on Dec. 2 urged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to include agricultural workers among the state’s top priorities for the COVID-19 vaccine allocation. The request was similar to one various national-level food industry organizations made to President Donald Trump in November. “We understand the state has begun preparations for the rollout of the initial …

Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 12-11-2020

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended December 11, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the Week ended-December 11, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 21,800 head compared to 16,359 last week and 19,931 …

Vilsack Named Secretary of Agriculture, Scott to Chair House Committee

(NABB) — President-elect Joe Biden has appointed Tom Vilsack as the Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, served as agriculture secretary for eight years in the Obama administration and was a rural and agriculture policy adviser during Biden’s presidential campaign. He was also a contender to be Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016.  Additionally, Congressman David Scott …

NCC Welcomes Vilsack and Tai Nominations

(NCC) — The National Cotton Council of America looks forward to working again with U.S. Agriculture Secretary appointee Tom Vilsack on matters ranging from sustainable, climate smart agriculture to international trade opportunities and the farm safety net. NCC Chairman Kent Fountain, a Georgia cotton producer and ginner, said, “The U.S. cotton industry believes that Tom Vilsack has the credentials necessary …