by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Plans for a $1.5 billion reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, questioned by sugar farmers and House leaders, received overwhelming Senate approval after nearly three hours of discussion and debate Wednesday. A priority of Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, the bill (SB 10) seeks to lessen the recurrence of toxic green algae harming …
Peanut Market Update
Tyron Spearman has this week’s peanut market update. 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, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026
Problem Expands for Avocado Growers
by Brad Buck, University of Florida,/IFAS 9 beetle species carry deadly fungus Many people love their avocados – not to mention guacamole dip. So it was bad enough when scientists said a beetle was ravaging avocado trees in South Florida. Then scientists found out that the redbay ambrosia beetle — originally determined to transmit laurel wilt — is rare in …
U.S. Beef Hopefully Soon Heading to China
It was announced earlier this week that President Trump and China’s President Xi Jinping had reached a deal in principal to allow U.S. beef into China for the first time since the 2003 BSE outbreak here in the U.S. But, American Farm Bureau Federation Trade Adviser Dave Salmonsen is viewing that development with caution, saying it would not be the …
USDA Offering Renewal Options for Expiring CSP Contracts
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced (NRCS) recently announced that a contract renewal sign-up is underway for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS Acting Chief, Leonard Jordan, says this signup is for participants with existing CSP contracts that expire on December 31. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Issues Management is Important Part of Beef Checkoff
One aspect of the beef checkoff is issues management. And in our weekly “Getting to know your checkoff” brought to you by your beef checkoff, Florida Beef Council CEO Jim Handley, said this is something producers need to be aware of. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Earth Day Adoption
Cathy Isom fills us in on how to do something out of this world to celebrate Earth Day this year. That’s coming up on “This Land of Ours.” Earth Day is still a little more than a week away, on April 22nd, but there’s at least one way to start celebrating right now. For example, adopting your very own piece …
Canada Farmland Values Up 10 Percent
Farm Credit Canada announced this week farmland prices in Canada increased 10 percent last year as the nation’s property boom is spreading to agriculture. A report by Farm Credit Canada found the average price of farmland across Canada increased 10.1 percent in 2016 as low-interest rates and strong crop income helped maintain demand. The 2016 increase, according to the report, …
Grassley Bill Would Ban Packer Ownership of Livestock
A bill reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last week by Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley seeks to ban packer ownership of livestock. A news release from his office says the Senator is concerned about the continued impact of consolidation within the livestock industry. Grassley says over the last several decades large packing companies in the poultry and pork industries have …
Trade Critical for U.S. Railway Operators
Union Pacific says millions of American jobs depend on trade occurring along the U.S.-Mexican border, and that fact needs to be considered during any discussion of changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement. The railroad company is highlighting the impact of the agreement as an effort to promote trade across the border. Less trade between the U.S. and Mexico …