Algae Panel Puts Together ‘Roadmap’ for Lawmakers

TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-Oct. 7, 2019) — A document discussed Monday by the state’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force should be viewed, members said, as a broad roadmap for lawmakers with the 2020 legislative session less than 100 days away. And task force members, meeting in Gainesville to further edit the document, said they will look in future meetings beyond Lake Okeechobee …

President Trump Signs U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement; Ag Groups Respond

American Farm Bureau Federation Farmers and Ranchers Celebrate Japanese Trade Deal, Look Forward to More (AFBF-Oct. 7, 2019) — President Trump signed the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, which is an important step forward with U.S. agriculture’s fourth-largest export market. The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Today’s signing marks the successful end to more than a …

Managing Weeds Crucial During Droughts

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-Oct. 7, 2019) — Recent drought conditions have made herd care difficult for Alabama livestock producers. As conditions worsen and desirable vegetation declines, established weeds are often the last plants standing. During this time, livestock may be tempted to eat these weeds. This can be problematic because certain species have the potential to cause health problems. It …

USDA Announces Support for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will issue $16.2 million in grants (PDF) to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the …

Producer Meetings This Week in Georgia

The University of Georgia (UGA) Extension service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency are hosting producer education meetings throughout the state this week. Georgia Cotton Commission Executive Director Richey Seaton hopes producers will be able to attend. See the locations, dates and times for the remaining meetings below: Oct. 9, 9-10:30 a.m., Weir Center, 307 East Bryan …

Progress Reported in Creating Foot and Mouth Vaccine Bank

Last week we told you that representatives of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to move as quickly as possible to establish a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank. The groups recognized the steps USDA has taken to establish the …

Florida NRCS Holding RCPP Workshop This Week

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues their launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. And Florida NRCS will conduct two RCPP Workshops, with the first workshop being held this week. It will take place Wednesday, …

Sunbelt Ag Expo Begins Next Week

The annual Sunbelt Ag Expo will take place next week. More than 1,200 exhibitors will display and demonstrate products for thousands of visitors on the 100-acre show site in Moultrie, Georgia. Becca Turner, vice president of marketing and public relations with Sunbelt Ag Expo, says things are coming together for the big event. While there are various highlights to the …

THC Testing Still a Challenge for Hemp Farmers

(NAFB) — The hype over hemp sparked a rush of enthusiasm from farmers looking to add it to their crop rotations after it was legalized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Stuck in a declining farm economy, Politico says hemp offers a new source of income for farmers who’ve been hit from all sides by a trade war with China, a …