By Jaci Shreckengost Researchers at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) are working to solve pest management issues with field crops. Silvana Paula-Moraes, an entomologist and professor at WFREC, said there are multiple projects, including grower surveys and pest trapping, to gain better knowledge of the pest issues Florida growers face. These projects will help …
Florida Senate Agriculture Committee Meets to Discuss Hurricane Damage
The Florida Senate Agriculture Committee held a meeting this morning in Tallahassee to discuss damage from Hurricane Irma. Led by chairwoman Denise Grimsley, the committee listened to growers, and industry leaders from different agriculture sectors, as they explained the damage on their own farms and farms across the state. The meeting featured two sets of panels of fruit and vegetable …
Farm Bill Discussion at Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit
By Jaci Schreckengost Discussion about the possible effects of the 2018 farm bill on organic growers was one of the topics at the recent Florida Organic Food & Farming Summit. With the farm bill expiring in September 2018, many are eager to speak their minds to let those writing the new farm bill know what has and has not worked …
Commissioner Putnam Releases Estimate on Hurricane Irma Damage
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, has released an initial estimate on agriculture damage from Hurricane Irma. The estimate will serve as a baseline as policymakers create a disaster relief package for those impacted by the storm. Although these estimates are not final, they are a starting point. The document includes estimates on crop loss and cost of damages. Right now, …
Senate Ag Committee to Hold Meeting about Hurricane Damage
Florida’s Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a meeting Thursday morning in Tallahassee to discuss agricultural damage from Hurricane Irma. Irma tore through the heart of Florida agriculture, leaving many growers to deal with devastation on their farms. Due to the immense amount of damage caused by Irma, it is expected to play a key role in the 2018 legislative session. …
Rep. Jake Raburn Comments on NAFTA
Trade representatives from the United States, Canada and Mexico have recently finished the third round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations in Ottawa. While the officials try to work something out that can benefit all three countries, U.S. specialty crop growers are anxiously waiting to see if they will be helped by the new agreement. Regarding U.S. agriculture, …
Irma’s Rainfall Helps Georgia Peanut Growers
By Jaci Schreckengost While some crops like pecans and cotton suffered serious losses from Hurricane Irma, the additional rainfall actually brought benefits to many Georgia peanut growers. Tim Brenneman, a professor of plant pathology at the University of Georgia, says the 4 to 6 inches of rainfall received from Hurricane Irma were particularly beneficial to the later-planted dryland peanuts that …
Sommet de l’Élevage Announces Expansion Plans
Big expansion plans for an already huge global livestock show is among the news coming out of the Sommet de l’Élevage in south central France this week. This year’s Sommet welcomed nearly 90,000 visitors and coordinators hope to see that number grow in the coming years. AgNet Media Founder and President Gary Cooper has been in France covering the event. …
U.S. and EU Producers Talk Beef Trade at Sommet de l’Élevage
Now that U.S. producers have established their presence at the Sommet de l’Élevage, they are now talking potential beef trade with the European Union. The Sommet is the EU’s largest livestock show in which exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to make business connections. Renee Strickland, who is representing the U.S. Livestock Exporters Association, has said that one of her goals …
U.S. LEA Exhibits at the Sommet de l’Élevage
Day two of the Sommet de l’Élevage is underway. The second day of the Sommet is a big one since the trade show is open and attendees are given the chance to mingle and create business connections. Renee Strickland has been tending to her booth today, as well as talking to many international Sommet attendees. Strickland, a south Florida rancher …