The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released the 2022 Status of Stocks Report last week, outlining U.S. marine fish stocks managed by NOAA Fisheries. In 2022, U.S. fisheries data revealed that 93 percent of stocks are not subject to overfishing and 81 percent are not overfished. These numbers show slight improvements compared to the 2021 figures of 92 percent …
Chicken Leads U.S. Per Person Availability of Meat
Chicken has become the nation’s most available meat source. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The supply of chicken available to eat in the United States continues to outpace beef, according to new food availability data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. In 2021, 68.1 pounds of chicken per person were available for human consumption, on a boneless, …
NOAA Proposes Seafood Import Monitoring Expansion
Proposed changes for seafood imports. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced a proposed rule to expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. The risk-based program is for targeted species of seafood imported into the United States. NOAA says expanding the program would increase the number of species included in the …
Preliminary Damage Assessment for Florida Agriculture Following Hurricane Ian
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Oct. 24, 2022) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried released the FDACS preliminary damage assessment for agriculture following Hurricane Ian. The assessment considered losses to agriculture production and infrastructure and are estimated between $1,180,714,303 and $1,888,305,886. “While today’s assessment is a preliminary snapshot of the losses to Florida agriculture, it is a critical first step …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried on UF/IFAS Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment
(FDACS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Oct. 18, 2022) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) released a preliminary assessment of the agricultural production losses associated with Hurricane Ian. The report, which considered crops, livestock, and animal products, estimates a potential loss of up to $1.56 billion for Florida producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) is expected to release its …
Florida Ag Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian May be Eligible for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance
Agricultural producers who suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ian, may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). But, to be eligible, USDA approval is required before producers can begin repair efforts. Deborah Tannebaum, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what land is …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) — In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …
Poll Finds Majority of Voters Support U.S. Aquaculture Industry
Stronger America Through Seafood announced last week that a majority of voters support establishing a U.S. aquaculture industry to increase sustainable seafood production. A survey by the organization found that two-thirds of voters would feel more favorable towards a member of Congress who established pathways for offshore aquaculture. Among voters, 84 percent support establishing a clear, predictable pathway for U.S. aquaculture …
Grants Awarded to States to Support the Seafood Industry
(USDA/ARS, WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of approximately $50 million in grants to support seafood processors, processing facilities and processing vessels through the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program (SPRS). This grant funding will be distributed through specific state agencies and help defray costs incurred by seafood processing …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …