USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its September crop reports today, and Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the U.S. cotton production estimate is down 14% from last year’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 17.1 million 480-pound bales, down 14% from 2019. All cotton planted area totaled 12.1 million acres, down 1% from the previous …
NMPF’s Castaneda: U.S. Needs to be Careful in Mexican Trade Issues
Trade issues with Mexico by seasonal agricultural producers here in the Southeast on various products have some wondering about the ripple effect this may have on Mexican trade across agriculture. National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President for Policy Strategy and International Trade, Jaime Castaneda, looked at the issue and how the dairy industry continues to monitor it, during …
AEM Asking Congress to Extend FAST Act
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and several industry partners sent a letter to Congressional leadership, asking for a one-year extension of the current surface transportation law. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is set to expire on Sept. 30. “As our industry and our country continues to navigate the lasting effects of COVID-19, we need congressional leaders to …
‘GatorByte’ to detect water quality less expensively – and at different places, times
By: Brad Buck, 813-757-2224, bradbuck@ufl.edu, 352-875-2641 (cell) A water-quality buoy called ‘GatorByte” might help resource managers monitor water quality over space and time – all for as little as $1,500. As it stands, such sensors are typically mounted at one location, and they give you data about water quality only at that one location, say UF/IFAS researchers. GatorByte can be …
Another Increase in Per Capita Peanut Consumption
For the 20th year in a row, the per capita consumption of peanuts has seen an increase. Tyron Spearman looks at the new numbers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember …
USDA Modernizes Egg Product Inspection Rules
For the first time in 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is making changes to egg product inspection methods. FSIS is aligning the Egg Products Inspection Regulations final rule to be consistent with current requirements in the meat and poultry products inspection regulations. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, USDA is …
Presidential Candidates Respond to AFBF Questionnaire
For the past 40 years, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has asked every presidential candidate to provide responses to issues likely to impact and affect farmers and ranchers. Both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have provided their answers to this year’s questions, and AFBF is sharing those responses. The two candidates responded on several topics that …
USDA Seeks Nominations for the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
GAINESVILLE, Fla. Sept. 8, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the invitation for nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a two-year term on USDA’s Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research. The Task Force advises the Secretary on air quality and its relationship to agriculture based on sound scientific findings and review of …
USDA Supports U.S. Seafood Industry Impacted by Retaliatory Tariffs
(Washington, D.C., September 9, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide approximately $530 million to support the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. The funding will be provided through the Seafood Trade Relief Program and funded through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), …
Peanut Harvest Underway
Peanut harvest began a few weeks ago in Florida, but according to Tyron Spearman, it’s now underway in parts of Alabama and Georgia. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, …