Pig Pens: A Look at Mirrors and Mats

Dan Industry News Release, Pork, Research

by USDA Agricultural Research Service What a pig sees when it looks into a mirror may help Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists improve livestock housing. Studying livestock behavior, stress and other well-being and production factors is the job of animal scientist Jeremy Marchant-Forde and his colleagues at the ARS Livestock Behavior Research Unit in West Lafayette, Indiana. Improving an animal’s environment …

USDA Announces Farm to School Grant Awards

Dan Education, Industry News Release

Projects Nationwide Chosen The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the projects selected to receive the USDA’s annual farm to school grants designed to increase the number of local foods served in schools. Sixty-five projects were chosen nationwide. “Increasing the number of local foods in America’s schools is a win-win for everyone,” said Cindy Long, Deputy Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs …

No Override for Cuts to UF/IFAS Budget

Dan Education, Florida, Legislative

When the Florida Legislature wrapped up its special session last Friday, some things survived the governor’s veto pen, but others didn’t. And that included cuts to the University of Florida/IFAS budget. According to Sydney Stone, legislative assistant for the University of Florida/IFAS Governmental Affairs, while the legislature did override some $60 million in cuts to higher education, it could not …

Ag Trade Programs Affected by Proposed Budget Cuts

Dan Economy, Legislative

Many agricultural groups recently responded to the White House’s proposed fiscal year 2018 budget, which slashed a variety of programs that many in agriculture depend on. And Steve Mercer, vice president of communications for U.S. Wheat Associates, explains what two of those programs are. Congress has the proposed USDA budget for next fiscal year, and thus he encourages producers to …

Look out California! UF scientist says artichokes may grow in warm, humid Florida

Dan Florida, Specialty Crops

by Brad Buck University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Artichokes might grow in Florida’s subtropical climate after all — good news for those craving the taste and antioxidants of the food crop. Shinsuke Agehara, a University of Florida assistant professor of horticultural sciences, presented his preliminary findings to the Florida State Horticultural Society June 5-6. In his …

Still Selling Old Crop Peanuts

Dan Peanuts

USDA is reporting that old crop peanuts are still being sold. Tyron Spearman has the details.       Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, 2026CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle …

Citrus Growers ‘Still Fighting’ Amid Tough Season

Dan Citrus, Industry News Release

News Service of Florida A leader of Florida’s struggling citrus industry offered a positive view after getting a slight increase Friday in the decades-low harvest forecast for the current growing season. Shannon Shepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus, expressed some optimism after the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast Friday that growers in Florida would produce enough oranges …

Producers Invited to Corn Silage and Forage Field Day

Dan Corn

Southeast producers are invited to the 2017 Corn Silage and Forage Field Day, June 15 in Tifton, Georgia. The annual event will be held at the University of Georgia, Tifton Campus Conference Center. John Bernard, UGA Extension animal, and dairy scientist said there will be topics discussed that will interest all producers. That includes forage pricing, fertilization, irrigation, and improving …

Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: Concealed Weapon License

Dan FL Commissioner Report, Florida

On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam discusses his move to expedite Florida’s concealed weapon license applications for active military members and veterans.   You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Helps to Support Forage Development and Management PracticesMarch 6, 2026CIR …