USDA Extends General Conservation Reserve Program Signup

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period. The previous deadline was Feb. 12, 2021. Acting Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Steve Peterson told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. The CRP program provides annual rental …

Update on Florida OJ Supply and Demand

In the Feb. 3 Florida Citrus Commission meeting, Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus director of economic and market research, provided an update on the Florida orange juice (OJ) movement and availability. External trends, such as fruit drop and increased demand during the pandemic, may significantly impact the availability of orange juice throughout the season. Coming into the 2020–21 season, beginning inventory …

Vilsack Looks Ahead at Various Issues

U.S. Agriculture Secretary-designate Tom Vilsack recently listed some of the top issues he’s concerned about, Tyron Spearman has the story. The Senate Agriculture Committee this week did approve Vilsack to return to the helm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The overall process is still waiting for confirmation by the full Senate. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle …

USDA Updates to Conservation Easements Strengthens Protection

Thursday, 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. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. NRCS received more than 570 comments on the ACEP interim rule, which …

Field-Testing Natural Compounds to Fight HLB

Field tests of numerous antibacterial products and plant-derived compounds are underway with the goal of eliminating the HLB-causing bacteria in citrus and reversing plant damage to restore tree health. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant root biologist Lorenzo Rossi discusses a new research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of …

Georgia Bermuda Grown for Super Bowl LV

(GDA) — The grass that will be used as the playing field for Super Bowl LV in Florida was actually grown in Georgia. Turfgrass varieties such as the game’s Bermuda are developed by the University of Georgia and have been used for many events including the World Cup and Super Bowl. “Tifway 419, bred and grown in Georgia, is a benchmark …

Updates to Conservation Easements Strengthens Protection for Farmlands, Grasslands, and Wetlands

(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. “Conservation easements are a critical conservation tool helping landowners …

Peanut Ads for the Super Bowl

Ads for peanuts will be a little different for this year’s Super Bowl. Tyron Spearman looks at what we can expect for the big game this Sunday. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 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 …

Miss Florida Citrus Has a New Squeeze!

In January, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) hosted virtual “Florida Citrus Squeeze” events at elementary schools throughout Florida with Chef Paula Kendrick and Miss Florida Citrus Leila Sabet. The program was announced in December to Florida food service personnel and teachers that participate in the division’s Harvest of the Month Program.  Participating schools were sent citrus, and virtual …