ASTA Testifies before House Ag Committee on Plant Breeding Innovation, Farm Bill

American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) President & CEO Andrew W. LaVigne testified at a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing on the Farm Bill and innovation in specialty crops. LaVigne stressed the importance of promoting a climate of innovation through the funding of critical Farm Bill research programs, and the enactment of clear and consistent, science-based policies across the government. “As our …

Do You Love Watermelon in the Hot Summer? University of Florida scientists are on the case

by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Some people love to eat a juicy, seedless watermelon for a tasty, refreshing snack during a hot, Florida summer day. University of Florida scientists have found a way to stave off potential diseases while retaining that flavor. Consumers increasingly savor the convenience and taste of seedless watermelons, said Xin …

New Date for Florida State Technical Advisory Committee Meeting

We told recently that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida was inviting producers and landowners to its State Technical Advisory Committee meeting, on August 17. But NRCS announced this week the date of that meeting has been changed. The meeting instead has been moved up a couple of days and now will take place August 15. Sponsored ContentCIR …

Drought Funding Application Deadline Nearing in Alabama

July 28 is an important date to remember. That is the application deadline for landowners impacted by last year’s extreme drought to apply for funding through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, …

Foods Harmful to Your Health

Cathy Isom tells us about some of the foods we eat every day that could be harmful to our health. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.     Many of the healthy foods we eat every day: fruits, vegetables, and other plants that are good for us also could be harmful to our health, if prepared or eaten improperly. …

Chinese Buyers Commit to Large U.S. Soybean Purchase

Demand already looks good for the 2017 soybean crop. China is the number one purchaser of U.S. soybeans, buying 60 percent of American soy exports every year. The U.S. Soybean Export Council, along with several American and Chinese organizations, will host a Chinese delegation of buyers at a soybean trade contract agreement signing ceremony. The event takes place on July …

Red Meat Export Momentum Continues

U.S. red meat (beef and pork) exports had a strong month of May, increasing significantly from April as well as from 2016 levels. USDA statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation show pork exports reached more than 222,000 metric tons. That’s an 11 percent year-over-year increase and the fourth largest monthly volume on record. Pork exports were valued at …

Trade Retaliation Worries Ag Groups

18 agriculture groups representing the majority of production agriculture sent a letter to the Trump administration recommending it avoid placing restrictions on steel and aluminum imports. The groups are worried that such a move would negatively impact U.S. food and agriculture exports. The groups said in the letter that, “the aftermath of those restrictions could be disastrous for the global …

Agri View: Organic Foods Growing

Everett Griner talks about organic foods covers more in today’s Agri View.     Now, what began as a social fad has turned into a worldwide heath obsession. Organic foods. It has grown from a small number of independent growers to nearly 25,000 certified organic operations. That is in America. Worldwide the number is now estimated at over 37,000 certified …