UF Agronomy ‘At the Cutting Edge of Feeding the World’

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS September 9, 2019) — Diane Rowland’s first professional job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Peanut Research Laboratory set her on what she says has been an unanticipated path concerning the world’s food supply. Now, as the new chair of the University of Florida’s agronomy department, Rowland recognizes the critical role her department plays in the …

Court Backs Lawmakers in Conservation Fight

TALLAHASSEE (NSF-September 9, 2019) — In a blow to environmental groups, an appeals court Monday overturned a circuit judge’s ruling that said state lawmakers improperly diverted money that flowed from a 2014 constitutional amendment designed to boost land and water conservation. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson erred …

USDA Resources Available for Farmers Hurt by 2018, 2019 Disasters

Signup begins Sept. 11 for more than $3 billion in aid. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Signup for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will begin Sept. 11, 2019. “U.S. …

U.S. Exports of Live Animals and Red Meats Accelerating

Back in July, the House Agriculture Committee’s Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee held a hearing to review the state of the U.S. livestock and poultry economies. Various folks from the livestock industry were unanimous in their message about passing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). And with Congress returning to work this week, that push will continue. But despite the fact …

Organic Farmers to Harvest Record Acres in 2019

Mercaris issues Annual Acreage Report, organic farm ‘heat map’ tool Silver Spring, MD, (MERCARIS-Sept. 9, 2019) — Organic commodity farmers will harvest a record number of acres across the U.S. this year despite the weather and trade challenges plaguing agriculture in 2019. According to the Annual Acreage Report, released today by Mercaris, farmers will harvest 3.1 million acres of U.S. land …

Farm Income to Increase in 2019

(NAFB) — The Department of Agriculture predicts farm income will rise in 2019, despite challenges impacting the farm economy. Last week, USDA reported inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income is set to increase $5.8 billion, up 5.4 percent, to $112.6 billion. U.S. net farm income, a broader measure of farm sector profitability that incorporates noncash items including changes in inventories, …

Agricultural Producers Urged to Learn About Irrigating Wisely at Free UF Event

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS) — UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County will host a free event highlighting water-saving technologies available to agricultural producers and how this equipment has already aided growers in the area. Irrigating Wisely in Florida’s Agriculture, held at Brown’s Farm in Hawthorne, Florida, on Sept. 17, will share information on best management practices for utilizing water-saving technologies as well as …