Commissioner Fried Welcomes NOAA Announcement of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas

Clint Thompson Aquaculture, Florida

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

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 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

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

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

Clint Thompson General, Peanuts

One well known peanut researcher recently said a long term approach is needed to eliminate aflatoxin. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every AcreMarch 19, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Builds Relationships Between Researchers and Cattle ProducersMarch 13, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Beef Sector on the Road to Normalcy

Clint Thompson Beef, Industry

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.   Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming …

Farmer Support for Trump Remains Strong

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia

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

Clint Thompson Georgia, USDA

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

Clint Thompson Environment, Florida

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 …

Peanut Industry Receives Updates on Various Topics

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Peanuts

During the recent virtual meeting of the Peanut Shellers and Buying Points Associations, various reports were given about the industry across the Southeast. Tyron Spearman reports the food supply chain, trade agreement, and aflatoxin were some of the topics. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of …

Changes Made to SE Hay Contest

Clint Thompson Alabama, Florida, General, Georgia, Pasture

It was announced last month that the 2020 Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia will not be held this year due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Every year during that event, winners of the Southeast Hay Contest are announced. Organizers of that event had to make a few changes. According to Marcelo Wallau, Forage Extension Specialist with the University of Florida, …