Finding a Balance for Food Labeling

Newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue answered questions from members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. Perdue was asked about food labeling and what the new administration might do regarding the matter. “Certainly we are not prepared to talk about the implementation of genetically engineered or biotech labeling, and that’s a complicated issue,” he said. “But I am pretty …

Renewal Sign-up Deadline for Expiring CSP Contracts is Friday

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners with existing Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts that expire on December 31, the contract renewal sign-up deadline is this Friday, May 5. And even if you are not involved in CSP, NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan, says they made several updates to the program last fall to help producers better evaluate …

Florida Rep Boyd on Tax Exemptions

  During the 2017 Florida Legislative Session, some in agriculture had been closely watching the tax package. Southeast AgNet Tallahassee Intern, Josie Tomkow, caught up with Representative Jim Boyd, who talks about something that was included in that package.       Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

NACD Applauds Appropriations Bill in Support of Conservation

Congress is expected to pass an appropriations bill this week that for the remainder of this fiscal year would provide strong support for many of the voluntary conservation programs that millions of landowners nationwide utilize to protect and improve America’s water quality, soil health, and wildlife habitat. “NACD is very pleased that House and Senate appropriators have finally reached an …

UF Project to Select the Best Brahman Genes

by Brad Buck, University of Florida/IFAS With help from cattle producers through the Florida Cattle Enhancement Fund, UF/IFAS researchers hope to develop Brahman cattle that can tolerate heat better, produce more tender meat and improve their fertility. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers would like Brahman cattle owners from around Florida to participate in the project. …

Organic Farmers Push for Welfare Standards Implementation

Organic dairy and livestock farmers are pushing for Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to let animal welfare standards formed at the end of the Obama Administration to go into effect. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says the farmers argue that the long sought-after rules will give consumers what they want. The measure has long been supported by the USDA’s Organic Advisory Board …

TPP Nations Meet in Canada to Discuss Future of Pact

Bloomberg reports Canada is hosting what it calls an “exploratory” round of talks regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Senior trade officials from the remaining countries in the pact are in talks this week in Toronto. The event is expected to be a stage-setter for an upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Vietnam. The article says this week’s trade talks are a …

Agri View: Outlook for 2017

  Everett Griner talks about the outlook for 2017 and what needs to happen for producers in today’s Agri View.   Well 2013 was the last good year for agriculture as a whole. Farm commodity prices were mostly good back then. But here is something to keep in mind now. When crop prices go up, so does the cost of …