ATLANTA (July 29, 2020) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the progress it has made in aggressively addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the national level as it implements the PFAS Action Plan — the most comprehensive cross-agency plan ever to address an emerging chemical of concern. Just as important as this progress at the federal …
Georgia Produce Safety Program Still Helping Growers
Due to travel restrictions from COVID-19, the Georgia Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program suspended its Grower Training Classes for now. But it is still available to help growers with a variety of information. Produce Safety Education and Outreach Coordinator, Maggie Brown, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are doing inspections and have started offering their On Farm Readiness Reviews …
New On-Line System Available for Consumers to Report Unsolicited Seed Packages from China
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) continues to collect reports from citizens who received unsolicited packages from China containing seeds. ADAI has established an on-line reporting system for Alabama residents who received suspicious seeds they did not order. Please visit www.agi.alabama.gov/reportseeds and provide the requested information. At the end of the on-line form, consumers will …
Pilot Program for Feral Swine Control Underway in Alabama
Last November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it was awarding $3.7 million to fund pilot projects to control feral swine in Alabama. These projects are part of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP), a joint effort between USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). NRCS and APHIS are …
Task Force Introduces New Beef Industry Long Range Plan
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) summer business meeting continues today in Colorado. On Tuesday, the Beef Industry Long Range Plan task force officially introduced its new five-year plan for 2021-2025. The task force’s mission is to ensure the long-term prosperity of the U.S. beef industry by sustainably producing the most trusted, highest quality and consistently satisfying protein for consumers …
UPDATE: FDACS Asking Floridians to Report Suspicious Seed Packets from China
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) continues to warn Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, …
Florida Warns of ‘Doom’ in Apalachicola Water Battle
(NSF) – TALLAHASSEE — Arguing that a ruling for Georgia would “spell doom,” Florida lawyers are trying again to sway the U.S. Supreme Court in a long-running water battle between the two states. Florida filed a 30-page brief Monday as it asks the Supreme Court for an order requiring more water to flow into the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay …
Peanut Crop Update
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its weekly look at the peanut crop. According to Tyron Spearman, the crop is off to a good start. 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 …
NCBA Addresses Checkoff Referendum Petition
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Summer Business Meeting is taking place this week in Colorado. NCBA President Marty Smith, a Florida cattle producer, released the following statement about the Beef Checkoff referendum petition launched in July. “In the 1980s, NCBA was instrumental in the initial passage of the Beef Promotion and Research Act and the resulting referendum that established …
Dry Weather Could Impact Essential Nutrients in Cotton, Peanuts
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension soils and fertility specialist Glen Harris cautions cotton growers and peanut producers about the impact that the current dry weather can have on essential nutrients in their respective crops. “We have dried out a little. We’re hoping to get some good rains here in late July and going into August,” Harris said. “The two biggest …