Budwood And Abandoned Groves Discussed At DPI Mtgs

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Southeast AgNet’s Katherine Bush catches up with Richard Gaskalla of FDACS’ Division of Plant Industry to ask about new budwood research and potential for new varieties being discovered abroad, and the abandoned groves issue. Report (2:00 mp3) Sponsoring this news report: AND

USDA Crop Forecast Again Well Within Target Range

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

In this report, USDA Agriculture Statistics Service Citrus Administrator Bob Terry discusses the final utilization numbers in comparison to last October’s USDA Citrus Crop Forecast, and comments on the importance of regularly updated tree count numbers as a basis for these reports. Report (2:00 mp3) Sponsoring this news report: USDA NASS

More Discussion on Country of Origin Labeling

Dan Agri View

It would be interesting to know just what we as Americans consume from other countries.  Everett Griner tells us some of these and why it is done this way now.  The answers might surprise you.   Report (1:00 mp3)

House Ag Committee Pleased With Farm Bill

Randall Weiseman Cotton, Florida, General, Specialty Crops

Members of the House Agriculture Committee held a press conference on Tuesday to highlight what they accomplished in their version of the 2007 farm bill passed last week. Chairman Collin Peterson says the bill represents reform with payment limits, others praise specialty crop initiative. Report (1:00 mp3) Report (1:30 mp3)

DPI Citrus Grower Meetings Continue

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

All Florida citrus growers are being asked to attend one of the Citrus Health Response Plan update meetings being hosted by the Division of Plant Industry of FDACS. The meeting held this week on Tuesday in Ft Pierce was better attended than the one in Bartow last week. In this report, which airs on the radio network Wednesday this week, …

USDA Extends Comment Period on Citrus Proposed Rules

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2007–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it is extending the comment period to August 7 on the proposed rule amending its citrus canker regulations to eliminate pre-harvest grove inspection for all Florida citrus moving interstate. This 15-day extension will allow interested parties

Being Frustrated About the Agriculture Business

Dan Agri View

Just what of our agriculture business I going overseas?  Better yet, of the stuff going overseas, what will be coming back?  Everett Griner has a dim outlook of all of this and gives us his take on it.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Reaction to House Ag Farm Bill

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Specialty Crops

Reaction to the Farm Bill passed late last week by the House Agriculture Committee has been mostly positive, although Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says he would like to see changes made on the House floor. Report (1:00 mp3) Specialty crop growers are pleased with the Farm Bill passed out of the House Agriculture committee late last week. Committee member Tim …

Lots of News for FL Citrus This Week

Gary Cooper Citrus, Energy, Florida, General

In the first report posted below, I cram several timely headlines in for citrus interests. In the second report, President/CEO Alan Banks of Losonoco, Inc, the company building Florida’s first Ethanol plant in Bartow, says he wants to talk to citrus people about alternative crops for empty acreage and citrus by-products that can be used in ethanol production. Report (2:00 …