By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu GAINESVILLE, Fla. — While beef already provides plenty of nutrients, a University of Florida scientist and her colleagues are starting to find that some beef cattle breeds might be healthier than others. Beef is an excellent source of vitamin B12 and a good source of protein, niacin, vitamin B6, iron, zinc and other nutrients, according …
USDA to Help Producers Prepare for Addition of Seed Cotton to Two Key Safety Net Programs
Information to Help Farmers and Ranchers Select the Coverage Options That Fit Their Needs WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is sending acreage history and yield reports to agricultural producers with generic base acres covered by the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. This information will help producers decide the best options for …
Georgia Farmers and Agriculture Leaders Applaud 2018 Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Georgia farmers and agriculture industry leaders are applauding committee passage of the 2018 farm bill. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) helped craft the bipartisan plan and secured a number of provisions important to Georgia. The farm bill now heads to the Senate floor for a vote. Georgia Agribusiness Council: “Having …
Planned White House Reorganization Would Affect USDA
A government reorganization announced last week by the White House would reorganize some sections of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). That includes USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the food safety functions of the Food and Drug Administration into a single agency within USDA. During an open media cabinet meeting last week, Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office …
FCA Sweetheart Contest a Convention Highlight
For many years the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Sweetheart contest has been a featured part of their convention each year. The winner of the contest serves as a promotional spokesman and ambassador for the industry for the coming year. Contestants are judged on their knowledge of the industry, their poise and ability to field questions from the public and media …
USDA Encourages Grower Attendance at WHIP Meetings
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency will hold several information sessions in Florida about the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP). The meetings are the first step in the Hurricane Irma relief package. The USDA is encouraging all growers who wish to participate in WHIP to attend at least one meeting. Below are the dates, times and locations …
Exclusive: Deputy Secretary Censky on the Farm Bill
The farm bill debate is currently underway, and the main message U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Steve Censky wants to get out is: farmers need a farm bill. Censky says the USDA is urging a favorable vote on the House bill, so the process of making a new farm bill can move forward. Censky realizes farmers need some …
Crafting More Details of Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grants
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed a $340 million block grant that will go toward Florida citrus growers for Hurricane Irma losses to production expected during the 2018 through the 2020 crop year, reimbursement for the cost of buying and planting replacement trees – including resetting and grove rehabilitation – and for repair of damages to irrigation …
Florida Farmers to Advocate for Ag in Washington, D.C.
Members of Florida Farm Bureau will travel to Washington, D.C. tomorrow for the annual Florida Farm Bureau Field to the Hill fly-in event. Members travel to the nation’s capitol to advocate for crucial agricultural issues. During this year’s trip, the main issues members will focus on are agricultural labor reform, the farm bill and North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) …
Perdue Announces Additional Hurricane and Wildfire Recovery Details
(Washington, D.C., May 1, 2018) – Under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced new details on eligibility for a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster program, 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). In total, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will deploy up to $2.36 billion that Congress appropriated through the …