The National FFA Organization this week announced a record-high student membership of 760,113, an increase from last year’s 700,170 members. The top five student membership states are Texas, California, Georgia, Florida and Oklahoma. Interest in FFA and agricultural education continues to grow as membership continues to increase as well as the number of chapters. This year, the organization has more …
USDA Report Shows U.S. Milk Output Continuing to Climb
A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows the nation’s dairies continue to boost milk production. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember …
Commissioner Fried Welcomes NOAA Announcement of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas
Tallahassee, Fla.— The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the selection of sites in federal waters off Florida in the Gulf of Mexico as one of the first locations designated as Aquaculture Opportunity Areas. The announcement comes after Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried sent a letter to the U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, asking that the department consider designating waters off Florida’s coast as an …
White Mold Disease Major Problem in Peanuts
It won’t be too long before it’s harvest time for peanut producers in the Southeast. However, University of Georgia Extension plant pathologist Bob Kemerait implores farmers to stay on a good fungicide program to protect their crop against white mold disease. “The big story in peanuts right now is white mold. I just got off the phone with (county Extension …
National Farmer Survey Documents Wide Range of Cover Crop Benefits as Acres Continue to Expand
Despite the crippling rainfall that significantly delayed planting across much of the country in 2019, more than 90% of farmers participating in a national cover crop survey reported that cover crops allowed them to plant earlier or at the same time as non-cover-cropped fields. Among those who had “planted green,” seeding cash crops into growing cover crops, 54% said the …
Long Term Approach Needed to Eliminate Aflatoxin
One well known peanut researcher recently said a long term approach is needed to eliminate aflatoxin. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle …
Beef Sector on the Road to Normalcy
It was a little over three months ago that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was discussing the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the U.S. While it has taken some time, Gary Crawford reports the beef sector is gradually returning to some semblance of normalcy. Â Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the …
Farmer Support for Trump Remains Strong
President Donald Trump trails former Vice President Joe Biden in election polls, but farmer support for Trump remains strong. A recent Pulse Poll from Farm Journal shows 82% of the more than 1,500 farmer respondents say they would vote for President Trump if the election were held today. Meanwhile, 13% say they would vote for Biden, while 5% remain undecided. …
USDA Designates Toombs County, Georgia as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available United States Department of Agriculture WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Toombs County, Georgia, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to hail that occurred on April 8, 2020, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency …
Federal, State Agencies Highlight Cooperative Approach to Land Management
GAINESVILLE, Fla.– Aug. 19, 2020 –A Shared Stewardship agreement between the USDA’s Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Forest Service, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was signed yesterday during a virtual ceremony. This agreement establishes a framework for federal and state agencies …