Approximately 12,000 Lee County homeowners in Florida will receive checks in early January as compensation for citrus trees destroyed in the state’s citrus canker eradication program, according to attorney Robert Gilbert. Gilbert was the lead counsel representing the homeowners in a class action lawsuit for the past 17 years. According to Gilbert, the residential trees that were destroyed by the …
New Peach Rootstocks for Florida’s Sweet Peach Season
Can UF scientists help farmers perfect the Florida-grown peach for consumers? Here’s what they are up to. (UF/IFAS) — Ricardo Lesmes-Vesga aims to help farmers grow peaches in Florida’s various production regions. To that end, he aims to develop peach rootstocks specific to those areas and he believes his research findings will help growers who harvest the fruit when the …
Climate Change Issues Discussed in Senate
(NSF) — An effort is back in the Senate to permanently set up a statewide office to consider climate change impacts, as environmentalists wait for a new chief resiliency officer to be appointed. Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, filed a proposal Friday to establish an Office of Resiliency, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Office of Resiliency would be part …
Farm Bureau Names 2021 Farm Dog of the Year
People’s Choice Pup also Announced (AFBF) — Recognizing that work on the family farm takes everyone pitching in and doing their part, including four-legged friends, Farm Bureau launched the Farm Dog of the Year contest three years ago. The winner of the 2021 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year award is Bindi, an Australian shepherd owned by New York …
Development of the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework
NRCS Conservation Outcomes Webinar Series (USDA/NRCS) —This monthly webinar series highlights recent outcomes, emerging opportunities, and conservation tools and data developed to assist with conservation planning and impact and efficiency assessment. The series illustrates the scope of Farm Bill conservation efforts on privately owned croplands, forests, and rangelands; documents the conservation achievements and outcomes of those efforts; and shows the …
Global Gardeners Help UF Tomato Breeding Program
(UF/IFAS) — Normally, University of Florida scientists such as Harry Klee gauge the taste and aroma of their new tomatoes by letting volunteers test them at the UF Sensory Lab in Gainesville. But now, people from across the globe who grow tomatoes in their gardens can serve as citizen scientists and send flavor and growing data to Klee. In this …
Commissioner Fried Testifies Before U.S. International Trade Commission
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on the urgent issue of unfair foreign trade devastating Florida’s and America’s domestic produce industry. The virtual hearing was on an ongoing ITC investigation into unfair trade practices by foreign exporters leading to a surge of blueberry imports in the U.S. market. Since entering the U.S. market in 2009, …
Beef Marketing Key in Adapting to More In-Home Consumption
The marketing strategy for the beef industry has been instrumental in helping keep demand strong, despite the significant slowdown in the food service industry. AgNet Media’s Brian German has the story, For more information about efforts by the Beef Checkoff, click here. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application …
Changes Made to U.S. Peanut Production Forecast
When USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its January crop production estimates, it noted some changes from last month’s report for the U.S. peanut crop. Tyron Spearman has the new numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle …
U.S. Cotton Production Down 25% in 2020
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its January crop reports today, updating numbers from last year’s crop. Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the 2020 U.S. cotton production forecast is down 25% from 2019’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 15.0 million 480-pound bales, down 6% from the previous forecast, and down 25% from 2019. All …