Saying he feels there is a bright future for those in Florida citrus willing to work together to defeat disease threats and adapt to emerging trends, grower Pete Spyke is speaking to neighboring growers and industry whenever possible about emerging trends he sees coming down the pike. Hear some of his ideas and examples in these two features. Sponsored ContentFlorida …
Fl Citrus Mutual Pres Becker re Cold/Budget/Taxes & Commish Race
In this report, some excerpts from a recent short interview with Florida Citrus Mutual President Fran Becker, about: possible impacts from another late freeze should it come; state budget cuts possibly leading to some tax increase issues; his personal thoughts on the upcoming race for Florida agriculture commissioner. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch …
FL House Ag Chair Comments on U S Sugar Buyout & Budget Matters
In these reports, Florida House Agriculture Committee Chair, Rep. Trudi Williams from Ft Myers, comments on a couple hot topics this year. In the first report, some of her objections to the proposed purchase of U S Sugar farmlands by the South Florida Water Management District. In the second, Williams expresses disappointment about recent Gubenatorial vetoes to budget cuts passed …
FL DBPR May Be Ramping Up Ag Enforcement in Wake Of Weather
We’re hearing from numerous contacts that the Florida Dept of Business & Professional Regulation may be ramping up its enforcement measures in the wake of the recent cold snaps affecting Florida agriculture. Our sources say at least sixteen investigators have been placed in agriculturally significant areas of the state to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Investigators …
Irrigation Water Use Permit Renewal Workshop – Clewiston 2/25
The South Florida Water Management District has begun the water use permit renewal process for the Lake Okeechobee Basin, which includes portions of Palm Beach, Martin, Glades, Okeechobee, Lee and Hendry counties. All individual and major general water use permits for irrigation withdrawals from Lake Okeechobee or its tributaries will expire on February 28, 2009. Since Water Use Permits have …
Brazil Trip Planned for Late May For Interested FL Citrus Folks
IFAS SPONSORED TOUR OF THE CITRUS INDUSTRY OF BRAZIL: We look forward to some of our radio listeners, website visitors and Citrus Industry Magazine readers joining us on this upcoming citrus study trip to Brazil. It’s another excellent opportunity for meaningful visits and study as the Florida Extension Service will be conducting a tour to visit the citrus industry in …
ARS Scientists Sequence Citrus Disease Bacterium
In what is being touted as a big step forward in citrus HLB, or greening disease, research, scientists with USDA’s Agriculture Research Service say they have sequenced the genome of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which causes HLB. The bacterium resides in the plant’s phloem tissues, affecting the passage of nutrients and eventually killing the plant. Read more about it …
FEBRUARY 27, 2009 DEADLINE FOR FLORIDA WATER USERS
This reminder thanks to Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Agent IV, UF/IFAS Hendry Co Extension, LaBelle FL. Irrigation permits using surface water from Lake Okeechobee or its tributaries for landscape, golf course, nursery, livestock, improved pasture and agricultural uses need to be renewed to avoid losing the legal right to use this water. Anyone using surface water from Lake Okeechobee or …
Putnam Discusses “economic recovery plan” & Commish Race
Central Florida Congressman Adam Putnam was featured speaker at last week’s Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association annual banquet, and before his address to the crowd gathered for it in Arcadia, we asked for his thoughts on the so-called “economic recovery plan” working its way through Congress, and about his plans to run for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture in 2010. …
Huge Turnout for 2009 FL Ag Hall of Fame Banquet at State Fair
As you’ll hear in this report by Erin Best, this week’s Florida Agriculture Hall of Fame Banquet at the Florida State Fair was a HUGE success. A record crowd of agriculture producers and ag industry leaders joined Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson for fellowship and dinner to honor four more deserved inductees into this prestigious group of industry leaders. This …