Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says President Bush will veto the Farm Bill compromise announced Thursday by negotiators. He issued the following statement. “Today, the United States House and Senate announced the completion of a farm bill that unfortunately fails to include much needed reform and increases spending by nearly $20 billion. At a time of record farm income, Congress decided …
Farm Bill Compromise Announced
Nearly five months after the Senate passed its version of the 2007 Farm Bill, negotiators happily announced a compromise bill Thursday. Conference committee chairman Senator Tom Harkin called the bill a non-partisan effort and the question now is whether the president will sign it. Report(1:00 mp3) The bill includes provisions for specialty crop producers. Report(1:00 mp3) Read more here from …
Citrus Dept Uses In-Store Videos in NE To Move Fresh FL Fruit
In these two reports, interesting comments about a modern in-store marketing technique that takes advantage of key in-store locations and modern shopping habits. Retail Communications Director Pete Palmer at the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) says the spring campaign used 15-second in-store videos to reach shoppers at a critical time when making their final purchase decisions. Report (2:00 mp3) Report …
Citrus Grower “Trials” Observations – Lee Jones, GFC
Grower observation – By Lee Jones, general manager of GFC We’ve been battling the psyllid for two-and-a-half years now and HLB for who knows how long. The 6,000 acres that I manage include groves in all three growing regions (Martin, Hendry, Hardee and Manatee Counties). This disease has multiplied rapidly in parts of our groves. I’ve noticed some interesting things …
NCBA President Concerned About Animal Abuse
The eight states which make up Region II of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are meeting today and tomorrow in Columbus, Georgia and their guest speaker this morning was Andy Groseta, NCBA President. He talked on a variety of issues including the news which broke this week concerning the latest situation of animal abuse. Report (1:00 mp3) For more information about the beef …
IFAS Budget Details
Under the new state budget passed by the Florida Legislature, the University of Florida’s budget plan for FY 2008-09 includes a 6 percent reduction in state funds for the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), consistent with reductions for other parts of the university. Report(1:00 mp3)
Farm Bill Announcement Today
Congressional negotiators will announce a final farm bill conference agreement this afternoon and discuss the details of the final bill, which makes investments in conservation, energy, nutrition and rural development while continuing and strengthening farm income protection. This announcement comes after little news this week, the White House continuing to threaten a veto, and negotiators indicating they might be willing …
What is happening to our bean?
We could run out of pinto beans by the end of the year. Everett Griner talks today about just why and what will solve the problem.  Report (1:00 mp3)
Citrus Greening Research Projects and Advice From Researchers
In the first report, Dr Michael Rogers (photo left) from University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center at Lake Alfred has more comments about the effectiveness of neighboring citrus growers working together to best control citrus psyllid, which is the vector of citrus “greening” disease. In the second report, Director of USDA’s Horticulture Lab in Ft Pierce, Dr Calvin …
UF/UGA 2008 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day
Gainesville, May 7, 2008: The 2008 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day has been scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 2008, at the UF/IFAS Plant Science and Education Research Unit; Citra, FL. There is no charge for this event, but registrations should be mailed by May 19, 2008, or faxed to Pam Gross at (352) 392-9059, by May 27, 2008, to …