Dept of Citrus Move to FDACS in Bartow Proposed to Save Money

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

In these reports, several cuts from our raw interview with Florida Department of Citrus Executive Director Ken Keck, (left) discussing the proposed move of FDOC Headquarters to the Bob Crawford Agricultural Center in Bartow. AgNet’s Ernie Neff (right) caught up with Keck about it late Thursday afternoon. In cut one, Keck explains the background of the legislative proposal made by …

FL Dept of Citrus Headquarters Could Be Moving From Lakeland

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

In this report, Ernie Neff has details on talks going on that could result in the Florida Department of Citrus moving to Lakeland. This is a developing news story, hear what we know so far in this report, and stay tuned to this website for more details. We expect to be talking to FDOC officials on the record very soon. …

USDA Reports Slight Reduction in Florida Orange Crop Estimate

Gary Cooper Citrus, Crop Forecasts, Florida

This month’s update on the citrus crop comes to us from Florida Citrus Mutual: Stallings Crop Insurance sponsors this news report: LAKELAND, Fla. (April 9, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released its April orange crop forecast for the 2008-2009 season slightly reducing the total orange estimate by 400,000 boxes to 157.6 million boxes. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets …

Florida’s Tight Budget Puts Lawmakers Into “Grinch” Position

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

It is no secret the poor economy and its related impacts on the state budget has all kinds of industries and programs running for cover. Recently speaking with House Natural Resources Appropriations Committee Chairman about the situation and his last couple years in office until he term limits out, he says it has lawmakers in the position of being the …

Putnam Sets Ag Commish Campaign Fundraising Record

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Sugar

A release from Florida Congressman Adam Putnam’s Ag Commissioner Campaign office this week touted Putnam’s fundraising record for the Ag Commissioner’s race. The release says 95% of the 486-thousand-plus dollars he raised in a two month period came from Florida supporters, and that the amount raised was the most ever in a single quarter for that particular race. In this …

“McKinnon Cocktail” Draws Much Citrus Attn & Scientific Scrutiny

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

What has become known as the “McKinnon Cocktail” at Maury Boyd’s citrus grove in Hendry County Florida continues to draw a great deal of attention. Dr Bob Rouse (photo) at University of Florida’s Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee (SWFREC) has been doing some field trials on this for months in hopes of learning what in the mix …

FL Cow/Calf BMP Kickoff Meeting Announcement

Gary Cooper Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in cooperation with the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, and the University of Florida-IFAS, have scheduled a number of kickoff meetings to formally introduce the recently adopted Cow/Calf Best Management Practices (BMP) manual. This will be the official launch of the industry’s BMP program. The meetings will provide producers with key information on the …

Florida Citrus Growers Institute Draws Crowd to Hear More on HLB

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Another big crowd of citrus growers turned out for the annual Florida Citrus Growers Institute in Bartow this week. Those attending heard from researchers and fellow growers about the best knowledge available to best cope with citrus greening disease, or HLB, in Florida groves. Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff was on hand and files this report. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide …