Michael Rogers discusses several educational opportunities for citrus growers, including the Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo and Citrus Packinghouse Day. Rogers is the director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC). The Expo (Aug. 18-19) and Packinghouse Day (Aug. 26) will be held in-person this year after taking place virtually in …
USDA Report Shows Cuts in Hog Numbers
A new USDA report shows hog producers may be scaling down production plans more than some industry analysts expected. Gary Crawford has the story. USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam runs through some of the key numbers from Thursday’s USDA quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists …
Scientists Develop Vaccine to Protect Cattle from Johne’s Disease
Scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have developed a new experimental vaccine to protect cattle from the bacterium that causes Johne’s disease. The disease is a chronic intestinal disorder that can cause diarrhea, weight loss, poor health and sometimes death in cattle. In the U.S. Johne’s disease is most prevalent in dairy herds costing the industry more than $220 million annually. But, the disease …
USDA Provides Millions to Support Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry through Voluntary Conservation
Targeted Environmental Quality Incentives Program Signup to Open in 10 States (WASHINGTON, June 24, 2021)Â — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $10 million to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in 10 targeted states. This assistance, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will help agricultural producers plan and implement voluntary conservation practices that …
Growing a Sweet Crop of Berries in a Small Garden Space
Growing a sweet crop in a small garden space. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Even if you only have a small amount of garden space, it’s still possible to enjoy your own homegrown strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries. You just need to select the right pot, variety, and location. Make sure your berry plants are getting about 6-8 hours …
USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, Communities Affected by Tropical Storm Claudette
(WASHINGTON, June 24, 2021)Â — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for residents, farmers and ranchers affected by the devastation across the Southeast caused by Tropical Storm Claudette. USDA staff in regional, state, and county offices are ready to respond and are providing a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance …
Four Florida Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of …
Florida Judge Blocks Aid to Minority Farmers
(TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 24, 2021) — Siding with a white farmer from North Florida, a U.S. district judge has blocked a federal plan to provide loan relief to Black and other minority farmers who historically faced discrimination. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard, who is based in Jacksonville, issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday against the plan, which was part of the …
U.S. Senate Passes Growing Climate Solutions Act
In a bipartisan effort, the U.S. Senate passed the “Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2021”. The bill, S.1251, basically creates a new program to self-certify technical assistance providers and third-party verifiers for the agriculture and forestry sectors for voluntary actions that are intended to reduce the amount of air and carbon pollution and for processes to naturally store carbon. It directs the U.S. Department of …
Floridians Consider Farming Important
An overwhelming 98% of Floridians consider farming and ranching important, according to the findings of a survey recently conducted by the Tyson Group among registered voters statewide. “We’re humbled to see the overwhelming support from Florida voters for the hard work and commitment of our farmers,” said Gene Adams, chair of the Florida Ag Coalition. “These survey findings indicate that Florida families …