Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The program enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. Jimmy Bramblett, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), discusses the relationship between landowners and the federal government under ACEP. ACEP’s agricultural land easements (ALE) component assists state and local …
Virtual Commodity Classic Coming in March
The 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic will be delivered digitally March 2-5, 2021, and during this special event, three Executive Roundtables will be held. Some of the top executives in agribusiness will discuss what the next 20 years will look like in American agriculture. The first roundtable will take place on March 3 and will feature top executives from …
Expanding Retail Presence of U.S. Pork and Beef in Colombia
2020 was a difficult year for U.S. red meat exports to Colombia, where COVID-19 took a major toll on meat demand and consumer spending. With demand expected to rebound this year, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is looking to expand the retail presence of U.S. pork and beef in Colombia. Joe Schuele has more details. According to USMEF, last year U.S. …
USDA Ready to Assist Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Winter Storms
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families, and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers, and impacted communities. “USDA is committed to …
Texas Freeze Leaves Citrus Crop in Trouble
The historic cold snap that has frozen Texas this week has left citrus growers with little hope for saving their crops. “We’ve had the perfect trifecta this season,” says Dale Murden, citrus grower and president of Texas Citrus Mutual. “We’ve endured the lingering drought, Hurricane Hanna and now the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre — all on top of the pandemic. It’s …
Wildflowers to Consider Planting in Your Garden for Pollinators
What you need to know about planting wildflowers in your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The standard definition for “wildflower” is a type of flowering plant that grows without human intervention. Wildflowers such as daisies, poppies, marigolds, and cornflowers (aka bachelor’s buttons) are considered “common.” These flowers have been around for about 49 million years. As …
Good Numbers for U.S. Peanut Exports
New figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate good news for U.S. peanut exports. Tyron Spearman runs through the new numbers. 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 …
Georgia Citrus Conference to Be Online
Due to COVID-19, the 2021 Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) Conference will not be held in person. Instead, the GCA is launching a new website and membership platform. This state-of-the-art tool will allow members to view presentations by experts at any time. Topics include weed management, citrus diseases and disorders, testing for diseases, precision agriculture, crop insurance, cold protection and the …
Florida Senate Sets Schedule for the First Week of Session
(NSF) — The Florida House and Senate will meet in a joint session at 11 a.m. on March 2 for the traditional start of the annual legislative session. The Senate has posted a schedule online for the first week of the 60-day legislative session, showing they will convene at 9:30 a.m. on March 2 before the joint session, which is expected …
Vote on Florida Lawsuit Limitation Bill Delayed
A scheduled committee vote on a bill that many agricultural businesses in Florida are watching was delayed Monday after the measure’s primary sponsor, Senator Jeff Brandes of St. Petersburg, was delayed in another meeting. The lawsuit-limitation bill (SB 72) would protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits. Senate Commerce and Tourism Chairman Sen. Ed Hooper from Clearwater told The News Service of …