By Clint Thompson Chuck Williams, director of the Georgia Forestry Commission, believes the Farm Recovery Block Grants for Georgia farmers and forest landowners will aid an industry devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018 but not make it whole. “In Southwest Georgia, so many of the landowners that suffered timber damage were also row crop and cattle farmers that suffered a …
NCBA CEO on Issues Affecting Cattle Producers
During the recent Cattle Industry Convention, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Directors had a chance to hear from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler. While there, he spoke about the repeal and replacement of the 2015 Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. NCBA CEO, Colin Woodall, spoke to Southeast AgNet about that visit and other issues …
Florida Lawmakers Down to Final Two Weeks
The 2020 Florida Legislative Session is getting closer to wrapping up, as with only two weeks left, it is crunch time on finalizing various issues including the budget. With a $1.5 billion gap between the proposed Senate and House bills, budget conferees have much work to do to come to a compromise. And according to Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director …
Georgia Right to Farm Bill Good for Agriculture
Week seven of the 2020 session for the Georgia General Assembly saw more talk about a bill that many in agriculture are being asked to speak up about. Georgia’s Right to Farm Bill, HB 545, is one that Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley says is good for agriculture. To keep track of this and other bills during the …
Paraquat Training Required for Applicators
By Clint Thompson Farmers interested in using the herbicide Paraquat this year will have to abide by new regulations mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension weed specialist Eric Prostko said the new rules include a training that are all applicators must participate in. “There’s 3 things growers need to be aware of. No. 1, there’s …
EQIP Sign-Up Deadline in Georgia is Friday
Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind agricultural producers and landowners in Georgia that Friday, Feb. 28 is the deadline to apply for fiscal year 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. This is for all general EQIP, as well as some special initiatives such as the Longleaf Pine, On-Farm Energy, …
Alabama EQIP Sign-Up Deadline is Friday
Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds farmers, ranchers and private landowners in Alabama to apply for financial and technical assistance through the 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by Friday, Feb. 28. “NRCS works hard to help eligible farmers, ranchers and private landowners plan and carry out conservation practices that can benefit all Alabama’s …
Florida NRCS Accepting Conservation Easement Applications
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida reminds landowners they are accepting applications to fund agricultural easements in the state. Agricultural Land Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements are both being accepted at this time. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through both of those programs. NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners to …
Corteva Provides Tips on Increasing Pasture Returns
During the recent Cattle Industry Convention, Corteva Agriscience talked with producers about increasing returns from their pastures. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman chatted with Corteva Field Scientist, Scott Flynn, who gave a few tips on how to get more grass for your cattle and more beef per acre. Flynn said a good herbicide to help control those weeds is their new …
Pate Discusses Hemp Program in Alabama
Last fall, the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) accepted hemp applications from eligible growers, processors/handlers and universities in preparation for the second year of the program. Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, Rick Pate, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that last year’s roll-out of the hemp program was real successful and the number of applications for this year have quadrupled. …