Polston Lab ‘Recruits’ Insects as Allies for Plants in Food Security Project

A University of Florida lab spearheaded a campaign to recruit insects as allies that can aid in reducing plant stress to enhance food security. The initial, 12-month “recruiting” effort by Jane Polston, a professor of plant pathology at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, successfully completes the first of three phases of a scheduled four-year project under the …

Easements: Preserving Old Florida

The Lightsey family has been running cattle in central Florida since the 1850s, but with 1,000 people moving to Florida daily, development encroaches on their legacy and the natural resources that support it. Cary Lightsey and his brother Layne have put 90 percent of their land on 10 ranches into conservation easements with the help of USDA and other groups. These …

Assistance Available in Florida to Conserve Natural Resources

Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until November 2 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Conservation Programs Specialist for NRCS in Florida, Nathan Fikkert, says this assistance is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Assistance Available in Florida to Conserve Natural Resources Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement …

NRCS Helping Landowners Improve Soil Health

Kenneth McAlister, a nationally recognized soil health champion from Texas, uses no-till and cover crops to diversify his operation and strengthen his bottom line. And when it comes to farming cotton, McAlister has his bases covered and most of his fields. In a story from USDA, he said “No-till really helped improve our soil health, but when we started planting …

Oriental Fruit Fly Eradicated in Miami-Dade County

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have declared eradication in the Oriental fruit fly outbreak in the predominantly agricultural Redland area of Miami-Dade County. Due to early detection and rapid response, no quarantine was required during this program. This successful Oriental fruit fly eradication is the second one during this …

Fire at Peanut Facility

A peanut warehouse in Georgia suffered damage during a recent fire. Tyron Spearman has the details. Fire at Peanut Facility 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, …

Florida Beef Council Excited About New Promotion

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is excited about a new promotion that will take place in a couple of weeks. FBC CEO Jim Handley explains what it involves. Florida Beef Council Excited about New Promotion 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 …

Busy October for Georgia Beef Board

The Georgia Beef Board is ready for a big event this week, where it plans to talk with consumers from across the state about the many benefits of beef. In our Georgia Beef Checkoff report, Kaytlyn Malia explains where the board will be. Busy October for Georgia Beef Board Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps …