UF Study: HLB Costs $3.63 Billion in Lost Revenues and 6,611 Jobs

Tacy Callies Citrus, Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Since 2006, the bacterial disease citrus greening has cost Florida’s economy an estimated $3.63 billion in lost revenues and 6,611 jobs by reducing orange juice production, according to a new study from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The study is the first complete assessment of greening’s economic impact on Florida, said Jack …

NCBA Responds to Legislation to Mandate On-Farm Production Practices

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia, Livestock, Pork, Poultry

WASHINGTON (Jan. 23, 2011) – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald criticized legislation introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) that would codify an agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers establishing federally mandated egg production practices. Donald said the legislation would set a dangerous precedent for allowing the federal government to …

Florida Agriculture Issues in State Legislature

Randall Weiseman Ag "Outdoors", Cattle, Citrus, Cotton, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, General, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Peanuts, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

Here are headlines concerning agriculture from today’s Florida Legislative session provided to us by THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Contact newsserviceflorida.com PANEL EDITS OUT FARM PHOTO BAN: The Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday turned out the lights on a proposal aimed at preventing people from secretly taking pictures on farms. With the proposal causing controversy, the committee removed it from …

More Research Dollars Needed for University of Florida IFAS

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Citrus, Florida, General, Livestock

The importance of research dollars for the University of Florida IFAS was a major discussion at last week’s Florida Cattlemen’s Association’s legislative quarterly meeting in Tallahassee as FCA President Don Quincey knows all of agriculture depends on those research efforts. And Jeff Dahl with the University of Florida’s Department of Animal Sciences talks about the funding they hope to get …

Alabama Suffers Serious Tornado Damage

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Cattle, Field Crops, Forestry, General, Livestock, Weather

Agriculture Food Safety Inspectors have been deployed in Alabama after this mornings severe weather as this is a release from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries: MONTGOMERY – Due to the widespread tornado damage in the early morning hours today, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has activated the Emergency Operations Center at the department headquarters in Montgomery.

Comments Welcome for Poultry Inspection Proposal

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Georgia, Livestock, Poultry

Last week USDA announced their proposal to modernize poultry slaughter and improve food safety across the U.S., and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said this all stems from a successful pilot program that has been underway for some time. Download Audio There is a 90-day comment period on the proposal which can be done through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.