USDA’s latest forecast shows production of two major meat types moving in opposite directions. According to World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski, beef production is expected to increase. But, he says they reduced the pork production forecast. And when it comes to poultry production, Jekanowski says USDA is forecasting year-over-year growth. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding …
Conserving Protected Lands and Waters in South Central Florida
The Nature Conservancy and partners have completed the protection of the essential and diverse landscape of Ravensworth Farms, a 1,069-acre working cattle ranch located along the eastern edge of the Lake Wales Ridge in Highlands County, Florida. The conservation easement placed on the ranch permanently prohibits development on the property while allowing cattle ranching operations to continue uninterrupted. One of …
Citrus Industry Seeks to Maintain Funding, Eyes Research
Despite a predicted drop in citrus production across Florida, orange juice sales are tracking up. And according to the News Service of Florida, the industry wants lawmakers to maintain current amounts of state marketing and research funding next fiscal year. Meanwhile, efforts to combat citrus greening disease could soon lead to a new University of Florida-backed variety of citrus on …
Larger Livestock Loans Boost Farm Lending
Demand for livestock loans grew in the third quarter, boosting agricultural lending activity. However, demand for operating loans was more subdued, and total non-real estate lending remained near its average of the past decade. The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Wednesday said the average size of loans for some livestock categories reached an all-time high and contributed to the increased …
Plan Ahead for Bountiful Pumpkin Harvest Next Year
How to plan for bountiful pumpkin harvest next year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While some areas in the United States may be experiencing a pumpkin shortage due to weather and shipping issues, why not plan ahead for next year and grow your own pumpkins. These members of the squash family are easy to grow in your …
GPC Continues Promoting Peanuts at Expo
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission’s (GPC) promotion of the state’s peanut crop continued this week at the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. It provided executive director Don Koehler and his GPC staff the opportunity to share a few sandwiches and peanuts and educate attendees about the value and importance of one of Georgia’s top row crops. “I’ve …
Sunbelt Ag Expo a Success
By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo this week reinforced what executive director Chip Blalock already knew – farmers and industry leaders were ready for an in-person show. This week’s 43rd annual farm show in Moultrie, Georgia educated attendees, reunited old friends and reminded the Southeast about agriculture’s importance. The three-day event was a success. “It’s been humbling to see …
OJ May Fight Inflammation, Oxidative Stress
A new study suggests 100% orange juice (OJ) has the potential to help fight inflammation and oxidative stress in adults, paving the way for further research on the topic. Though limited in scope, the study indicates drinking 100% OJ significantly reduces interleukin 6, a well-established marker of inflammation, in both healthy and high-risk adults. Two additional inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were …
DeSantis Calls for Special Session
(Tallahassee/NSF/October 21, 2021) — Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday called for a special legislative session next month to push back against White House attempts to require workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The exact dates of the special session are not yet known; however, lawmakers are scheduled to be in Tallahassee for committee meetings the weeks of November 1st, 15th …
Legislation Introduced to Provide Pricing Leverage for Cattle Producers
Wednesday, Ranking Member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Dusty Johnson (R-S.D) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) introduced the bipartisan Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021 (H.R. 5609), which would create a library for cattle contracts within the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service. Currently, USDA maintains a pork contract library, and following significant volatility in the cattle market and the release of the …