The historic cold snap that has frozen Texas this week has left citrus growers with little hope for saving their crops. “We’ve had the perfect trifecta this season,” says Dale Murden, citrus grower and president of Texas Citrus Mutual. “We’ve endured the lingering drought, Hurricane Hanna and now the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre — all on top of the pandemic. It’s …
Senate Sets Vote for Vilsack Confirmation
The Senate will vote to confirm Tom Vilsack as Agriculture Secretary next week. The exact time is uncertain, but the Senate calendar has the vote planned for Tuesday, Feb. 23. The Senate will debate the nomination for 20 minutes before voting, with the majority and minority parties receiving equal time. Expect smooth sailing for Vilsack, who breezed through the Senate …
Wildflowers to Consider Planting in Your Garden for Pollinators
What you need to know about planting wildflowers in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The standard definition for “wildflower” is a type of flowering plant that grows without human intervention. Wildflowers such as daisies, poppies, marigolds, and cornflowers (aka bachelor’s buttons) are considered “common.” These flowers have been around for about 49 million years. As …
Good Numbers for U.S. Peanut Exports
New figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate good news for U.S. peanut exports. Tyron Spearman runs through the new numbers. 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 …
Georgia Citrus Conference to Be Online
Due to COVID-19, the 2021 Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) Conference will not be held in person. Instead, the GCA is launching a new website and membership platform. This state-of-the-art tool will allow members to view presentations by experts at any time. Topics include weed management, citrus diseases and disorders, testing for diseases, precision agriculture, crop insurance, cold protection and the …
Florida Senate Sets Schedule for the First Week of Session
(NSF) — The Florida House and Senate will meet in a joint session at 11 a.m. on March 2 for the traditional start of the annual legislative session. The Senate has posted a schedule online for the first week of the 60-day legislative session, showing they will convene at 9:30 a.m. on March 2 before the joint session, which is expected …
Vote on Florida Lawsuit Limitation Bill Delayed
A scheduled committee vote on a bill that many agricultural businesses in Florida are watching was delayed Monday after the measure’s primary sponsor, Senator Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, was delayed in another meeting. The lawsuit-limitation bill (SB 72) would protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Senate Commerce and Tourism Chairman Sen. Ed Hooper from Clearwater told The News Service of …
Georgia Beef Board Attends Beef 300 Race
The beef industry and NASCAR teamed together this past week for the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300” race in Daytona, Florida. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Director of Public Relations Taylor Evans told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman she was there to help promote the beef message. For more information about Beef Checkoff programs in Georgia, contact the GBB office in …
Alabama Legislature Passes Three Priority Business Bills
The 2021 Alabama Legislative Session is taking a break this week. Due to COVID-19, the session has a different look this year. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin Beasley says while there has been limited access for lobbyists, legislators handled three priority business bills. For questions about the Alabama Legislative Session, contact Beasley at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association …
NCBA to Hold Winter Reboot General Sessions
We are just one week away from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Winter Reboot General Sessions. Those interested can log in virtually on Feb. 23-24 for two days of education, market outlooks, a robust virtual marketplace and lots of fun. The Winter Reboot experience will feature two General Sessions led by NCBA’s own CEO Colin Woodall, Vice President of …