The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) held a 2-day virtual Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training this week. According to GDA Education and Outreach Associate Elizabeth Danforth, they are already working on plans to hold another training in a few weeks. Grower Training Courses satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that requires at least one supervisor or responsible party for …
Weather Main Factor in Seed Coat Fragment Issue
One of the main takeaways from the 2020 cotton season remains the issue with seed coat fragments and the abnormally high number of reported instances in cotton this year. Ed Barnes, Senior Director, Agricultural & Environmental Research at Cotton Incorporated, talked to Georgia cotton producers during Wednesday’s annual Georgia Cotton Commission meeting about the surge in seed coat fragment occurrences. …
USDA Expects Milk Production Increase in 2021
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects milk production to increase this year. Stephanie Ho has a story explaining why. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski has more details of USDA’s forecast for month over month higher prices for dairy products. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle …
Florida Senate Set to Review Governor’s Budget
In a signal that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will release his proposed 2021-2022 budget in the coming days, the Senate Appropriations Committee and subcommittees are slated to receive a series of presentations about his spending plan next week. According to the News Service of Florida, the Senate calendar also shows the Appropriations Committee is scheduled to receive a presentation about …
Family-Owned Farms Account for 96% of U.S. Farms
Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the data in the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report. The report focuses on the family farm, defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned …
Farmer Co-ops Applaud White House Call to Buy American
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives applauded President Joe Biden’s Buy American executive order signed this week. The action supports manufacturers, businesses and workers to ensure that federal purchasing programs follow Buy American requirements. The order seeks to close loopholes in how domestic content is measured, create a new position at the Office of Management and Budget to oversee the …
New Nutrient Recommendations Needed for Florida Farmers
Additional, more efficient research aimed at nutrient management is a key to the long-term sustainability of the Florida farmer. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Florida/IFAS, promises more nutrient-based research projects aimed at helping the state’s producers. It is essential considering the livelihood of Florida farmers are at stake. “As I’ve traveled around …
Alabama Legislative Session Kicks Off Next Tuesday
The 2021 Alabama Legislative Session kicks off next week in Montgomery. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Director Erin Beasley says the legislature is proceeding with caution, due to COVID-19. For questions about the upcoming Alabama Legislative Session, contact Beasley at the ACA office in Montgomery at ebeasley@bamabeef.org or 334-265-1867. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the …
Growing the Future of Agriculture Through Give FFA Day
The National FFA Organization will again hold Give FFA Day. Through generous donations from FFA supporters in 2020, students and teachers across the country continued to make a difference. During National FFA Week, individuals will have an opportunity to step up and support FFA and agricultural education through Give FFA Day on Thursday, Feb. 25. The organization has a goal …
Rising Dairy Consumption Providing Comfort in Challenging Time
Data shows dairy is bringing some comfort during a challenging time. Throughout the market’s ups and downs of the pandemic era, consumers’ love of dairy products has been constant, rising in 2020 from 2019, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. Retail dairy purchases, which jumped at the pandemic’s beginning, remained elevated throughout the year. With more meals being prepared …