By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team are providing guidance to producers impacted by hail damage from the storms this week. Camp Hand, UGA Extension cotton agronomist, focused on the steps that growers need to take over the next week in surveying the aftermath. “I have been getting pictures from agents and growers …
Farmers Take Their Message to Washington D.C.
Farmers take their message to Washington D.C. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Farmers from around the nation were recently in Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers and discuss priorities for the 2023 farm bill. The American Farm Bureau Federation Advocacy Fly-In was attended by more than 150 farmers and ranchers. Agriculture Committee leaders spoke before the group …
DeSantis Axes $510 Million from Florida Record State Budget
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 15, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis trimmed $510.9 million from a record-high state spending plan signed Thursday, with nearly one-fifth of the cuts coming from a single program designed to keep swaths of rural property from commercial and residential development. While DeSantis didn’t give any explanation for projects he slashed for the fiscal year that begins July 1, …
Critics View FL Legislation as Potentially Harmful to Wetlands and Everglades Restoration Efforts
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 15, 2023) — Senate leaders weren’t going to let a year-old outburst aimed at state lawmakers go unaddressed. VoteWater, a Treasure Coast group focused on political issues related to restoring the Everglades, is raising cane over the Senate this spring not confirming the reappointment of South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch. “Few people in …
Rainy Conditions: Young Cotton Plants Not Vulnerable to Disease Pressure Yet
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team are comforting growers concerned about a buildup of disease pressure amid the rainy conditions this week. Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension plant pathologist, talks about why diseases like target spot are not yet concerning for producers in South Georgia. “Most of our cotton is still relatively …
USDA Launches Effort to Strengthen Substantiation of Animal-Raising Claims
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels and to implement President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American economy. “Consumers should be able to trust …
New Promotion from the National Peanut Board
The National Peanut Board has a new promotion underway to help promote U.S. grown peanuts. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida …
2023 Cotton: Slow Start but Steady Progress
by Will Jordan While most cotton in the state is closer to first leaf than first square due to early season weather difficulties, the 2023 Alabama cotton crop is making steady progress. Weather diversity across the state has largely impacted plant development, yet seed is in the ground with an estimated 400,000 acres planted. Steve Brown, Cotton Extension Specialist with …
Conservation Easement Program Sign Up for Florida Landowners Extended through June 30
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) wants Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values, to know they have additional time to apply for a conservation easement program. The application deadline for fiscal year 2023 funding through this Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) has been extended from its original June 16th deadline to June 30th to allow …
USDA to Invest $3 Million to Support Cooperative Soil Science and Soil Survey Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to invest $3 million in partnerships to promote research that informs and improves soil surveys at the regional level. This is part of an ongoing effort to continue to provide critical data. Proposals from institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network should be submitted to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …