The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is pleased with the fact the fourth season for Team Beef is off to a good start. Erin Freel told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, they are now up to 39 team members and they have already been running. To learn more, contact the Florida Beef Council office in Kissimmee, Florida or go to teambeefflorida.com. Sponsored …
Budget Work in Final Days of Florida Legislative Session
The 2020 Florida Legislative Session is getting closer to wrapping up, as with only this and next week left, it’s crunch time on finalizing various issues including the budget. According to Mary Ann Hooks, University of Florida/IFAS director of government affairs, committees will be hearing bills this week. So the time to get bills in the proper posture to be …
Alabama Message to Potential Hemp Growers: Know What You’re Getting Into
By Clint Thompson Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer has a message for all farmers interested in growing hemp this year: Know what you’re getting into. During this year’s hemp meetings, which continue in March throughout Alabama, Kesheimer and other specialists are discussing economics, insects, weeds and diseases that are associated with hemp production. “We’re very clear …
Farm Recovery Block Grants to Aid Georgia Forest Landowners
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 …