Traditional sensing technologies in citrus production for pest and disease detection and field phenotyping rely on manual sampling, which is time consuming and labor intensive. Since availability of personnel trained for field scouting is a major problem, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with various sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) can simplify the surveying procedure, decrease data collection time and …
Livestock Marketing Association Applauds Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 22, 2020) – The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) applauds Congress for passing Dealer Statutory Trust in the COVID relief package. A Dealer Statutory Trust will provide sellers of livestock much needed payment protection during dealer payment defaults.   “LMA is grateful for the tremendous leadership of Congress to correct a fundamental unfairness in the current law where livestock sellers often cannot get livestock back when …
More Assistance for Farmers and Ranchers
Congress voted Monday to approve the $900 billion Covid relief package that will deliver much-needed aid to small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. According to a story from Tyron Spearman, that includes farmers and ranchers. The White House has said that President Donald Trump will sign the legislation. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle …
Food and Ag Provisions in COVID Relief Package
Tax extenders and a $26 billion infusion for agriculture and nutrition programs are part of the massive $908 billion virus relief and $1.4 billion agency funding package that Congress overwhelmingly passed late Monday night. When it comes to agriculture, the long-awaited relief adds $13 billion each to agriculture and nutrition aid and includes support for those who were left out …
Meat, Poultry, Farm Workers High Priority for Vaccine
Federal guidance suggests essential workers should be next to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including meat packers and farm workers. A Centers for Disease Control advisory committee voted in favor of a blueprint for essential workers and people older than 75 as recipients of the vaccine in the next phase. In a news release, North American Meat Institute President and CEO …
New COVID Package Helps Farmers Previously Left Out of Aid
WASHINGTON, December 21, 2020 – Congress agreed on a $900 billion COVID stimulus package, which will include up to $13 billion in funding that directly benefits agriculture. Nearly $1 billion will support a dairy donation program and supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage payments for small and medium-sized producers. More help will be made available to specialty and non-specialty crop growers, and …
Caring for Fruit Trees in the Wintertime
Caring for fruit trees in the winter time. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For those of us hoping to provide our fruit, nut, and berry trees with the best care, there a few fruitful tips for how to make it through the festive frosts on past February. Before planting fruit trees, do some research and choose varieties …
NCC Praises Inclusion of Support for Contract Chicken Farmers in COVID Stimulus Package
Washington, D.C. (December 21, 2020) – The COVID-19 stimulus bill agreed upon today contains language that would authorize USDA to provide up to $1 billion in assistance to contract chicken growers for revenue losses sustained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund is earmarked specifically for contract growers of livestock and poultry to cover up to 80% of …
Indoors or Outdoors, Horticulture and Holidays Go Together
(USDA/NASS) — With the holiday season upon us, you may have missed the recent release of the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties Report. This 2017 Census of Agriculture special study is the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States. Although the number of horticulture operations declined 11% from the last …
Coronavirus Stimulus Package Helps FL Farmers
(FDACS) — Congressional leaders agreed upon a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues setting new case records, the bill will provide some direct assistance to families and additional funding for food production and distribution, among other priorities. On the bill, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “For more than nine months, COVID-19 has upended the lives …