USDA, RESTORE Council to Invest $31 Million in Gulf States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $31 million in funds has been earmarked for advance restoration work and to improve water quality in the Gulf Coast states impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To mitigate the impact of oil spills in environmentally sensitive areas, it’s essential to use oil skimming services that can efficiently remove and contain the spilled …

Ag Businesses Report Favorable First Quarter Earnings

Earning reports topped headlines on Wall Street this week, and agriculture businesses seem to be doing well. Syngenta reported first-quarter sales of $7.1 billion, up 20% for the same period last year. BASF reported first-quarter sales were up 16% to 19.4 billion euros, or $23.52 billion. AGCO reported sales for the first quarter were approximately $2.4 billion, an increase of …

Florida Buys 5,734 Acres From Alico

The state of Florida recently purchased approximately 5,734 acres of Alico Ranch for $14.4 million from Alico, Inc. The purchase was made under the Florida Forever program, pursuant to an option agreement between the state and the company earlier this fiscal year. “This is now the third sales transaction we have completed with the state of Florida within the last three years, …

Florida Farm Bureau Applauds Gov. DeSantis for Signing Historic Right to Farm Bill

Gainesville, Fla.–April 29, 2021 – Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick issued this statement after Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 88, Farming Operations, a historic bill that modernizes Florida’s Right to Farm Act. “On behalf of Florida’s farmers and ranchers, the Florida Farm Bureau Federation applauds Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their support of Florida’s Right to …

Vilsack Discusses History of Discrimination by the USDA

During that hearing, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers, “We will over the next four years do everything we can to root out whatever systemic racism and barriers that may exist at the Department of Agriculture.” In a recent interview with Southeast AgNet, Vilsack explained what they are looking at. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants producers to know …

U.S. Peanut Federation Uniting Industry for Legislative Issues

The U.S. Peanut Federation continues efforts to unify the peanut industry when it comes to legislative issues. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June …

Responses Needed to Short Ag Census Survey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging farmers to respond to a short survey that will help them with the Ag Census. Stephanie Ho has the details. Adam Cline, with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), says the USDA definition of a farm includes operations that may be smaller than you think. If you received a copy of the National Agricultural …

USDA Improves Livestock Crop Insurance Policies with New Options

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are updating livestock insurance policies to improve options for producers and to create more opportunities for producers to participate. USDA’s Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) has made updates to the Dairy Revenue Protection (DRP) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) policies. These updates will be effective for the 2022 and succeeding crop years. Updates to …

New Peanut Related Podcast and TV Commercial

Thanks to the various state peanut associations across the Southeast, there is a new peanut podcast, TV commercial, and efforts to collect peanut butter for donations. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics …

Financial Assistance Helps Ag Producers in Florida Improve Water Quality

Agricultural producers in select watersheds in Florida can apply for financial assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) until May 31 to improve water quality in coastal waters. The lower Suwannee watersheds are Long Pond and Long Pond Slough in Levy County and the North Old Town Hammock watershed in Gilchrist and Dixie counties. If landowners show interest, NRCS proposes funding …