Today (Friday, May 24, 2019) marked day two of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried’s first trade mission to Israel. Fried will spend several days meeting with government officials, agricultural research groups, and agriculture-related businesses before joining other Florida Cabinet members next week for a Cabinet meeting and business development meetings. Fried made this statement following yesterday’s trade mission kickoff: “I’m thrilled …
Industry Response to Disaster Relief No Vote
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried A $19.1 billion disaster relief bill – set for passage seven months after Category 5 Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle – was single-handedly blocked by a lone freshman member of the House of Representatives. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “It’s craven, shameful politics at its worst that a single House member would choose …
U.S. House Does Not Pass Disaster-Relief Package
It was over 7½ months ago that the Category 5 Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle before moving through parts of Alabama and Georgia. On Thursday, the U.S. Senate finally passed a $19.1 billion disaster relief package in an 85-8 vote, which would provide disaster-aid funding to various parts of the U.S. not only because of hurricanes, but …
Lower Global Peanut Production Expected
New predictions indicate global peanut production for 2018-2019 will be down. Tyron Spearman has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026
Alabama Lawmakers Nearing End of Session
With Alabama lawmakers working to wrap up the 2019 legislative session, efforts on the budget took place this week. Leigha Cauthen, executive director of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, has an update on the budget and on a bill of interest to rural Alabama. The Alabama Agribusiness Council provides an interactive bill tracker with links to bill text, sponsor information and …
NCBA Spends Time Talking Trade
We told you earlier this year about how the U.S. Department of Agriculture worked hard last year to expand trade opportunities around the world for U.S. ag producers. And those efforts paid off as global sales remained strong in spite of challenges in the trade arena throughout the year. USDA helped to break down trade barriers and provided more access …
Continuous Signup Period Coming for Conservation Resource Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it will soon begin signup of eligible lands under its continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Rod Bain has more details. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications beginning June 3 for certain practices under the continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup and will offer extensions for expiring CRP contracts. The 2018 …
ASF Vaccine is Eight Years Away
USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach says scientists have pegged an effective vaccine for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus is at least eight years away. The Fence Post Dot Com says he made the announcement during a hearing in front of the House Agriculture Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee hearing on animal pest disease prevention and response capabilities. Ibach says …
Alabama Cattlemen Pleased with Passage of Bill
The 2019 Alabama legislative session is nearing the end, but this week a bill being tracked closely by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) passed and is headed to the governor’s desk. ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley has more information about HB 518. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle …
Bug That Can Be a Help to Your Crops
Cathy Isom has a few tips, and what to look for, about the garden bug that can be a help to your crops and also a nuisance. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. We have all heard of “pincher bugs” – but it’s really an Earwig. Earwigs are one of the creatures which live in your garden and …