House, Senate, Pass Ag Spending Package

(NAFB) — The House and Senate this week came together in passage of spending bills for fiscal year 2020. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican, says, “bipartisan cooperation has made this possible.” The spending package for agriculture includes $23.5 billion in discretionary funding, $451 million above fiscal year 2019 enacted levels. It also includes $1.5 billion in …

Groups Respond to Passage of USMCA

America’s Cattle Producers Hail House Passage Of USMCA NCBA Urges Senate to Swiftly Follow House’s Lead (NCBA) — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ approval of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 385-41: “This was a crucial win for all U.S. beef producers and a reassurance …

USMCA Leaves Florida Producers Out in the Cold

Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), member of the House Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on the shortfalls of the USMCA agreement for Florida farmers.  “NAFTA was originally created to remove traditional trade barriers and facilitate economic growth amongst the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Our great state of Florida is one of the biggest agriculture partners in …

USMCA Vote Moves Deal Closer to Ratification

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) continues forward progress with the House of Representatives passing the trade deal by a large margin. The USMCA vote was 385 to 41 in favor of moving the legislation closer to ratification by the Senate.  Several agricultural groups have issued statements of support and appreciation for moving the agreement through Congress. “The USMCA will provide continuity …

Commissioner Nikki Fried Comments on House Passage of USMCA

(FDACS) — The U.S. House passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). In response, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “It is deeply disappointing that seasonal protections were not included in this USMCA implementing legislation. For nearly a year, I have called repeatedly for effective, timely relief from unfair trade practices for America’s seasonal produce growers in the USMCA. …

Nearly 170,000 Giant African Land Snails Eradicated in Eight Years

(FDACS) — For more than eight years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been working cooperatively to eradicate the giant African land snail from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. During that time, over 168,500 snails have been collected in 32 core areas of Miami-Dade County, and in one area of …

Peanut Butter for the Hungry

Various folks in the peanut industry recently attended the American Peanut Council Winter Conference in Washington, D. C.. According to Tyron Spearman, one topic discussed was the task force developed to help provide peanut butter for the hungry. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …

Mapping Soils in the Florida Everglades

During the South Florida sweltering heat this past August, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Scientists Craig Prink and Martin Figueroa were out collecting soil samples in the Everglades in an effort to build a map that helps land managers understand resource concerns affecting the ecosystem, water quality and wildlife. Martin said, “This is the first digital soil map developed in Florida, on …