As we mentioned late yesterday, looks like there will be no grower referendum on the Florida Dept of Citrus. Lawmakers overseeing the FDOC Sunset Review process say there simply was not much support or input in favor of such a grower vote. Lakeland Ledger reporter Kevin Bouffard has studied this issue and followed up with the newsmakers about it. To …
FARM BILL IMPLEMENTATION – Progress as of October 2008
This just in from USDA… Within weeks of the late June enactment of the Farm Bill, USDA began delivering program benefits for 2008 and will deliver additional program benefits in 2009. The 2008 Farm Bill has 15 titles — and more than 600 provisions: 50 percent more than the 2002 Farm Bill. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle …
Citrus Concerns Grow Over Specialty Crop Research Allocations
There is a growing rumble in Florida and particularly in citrus country over recent allocations of specialty crop research monies. CLICK HERE to read the entire USDA news release that outlines where some 28-million research dollars are being awarded. Some industry and congressional sources tell us the allocations overlook critical and timely needs for research into citrus greening disease, or …
FL Congressman Putnam: Retail O J Too High for Market Situation
In this first report posted herein, comments from central Florida Congressman Adam Putnam about the need for orange juice “brands” to do more to help move tremendous supplies in the orange juice pipeline right now, including putting more efforts into advertising as well as bringing retail prices more in line with market supply reality. Putnam’s comments echo what we heard …
FL Citrus Mutual CEO Says Strong Mktg Push Needed for OJ
In this report comments from Mike Sparks, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, about the recent October Citrus Crop Forecast from USDA and the market situation in need of a strong push to reduce the amount of orange juice already in the pipeline. Sponsoring this report: Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida …
FL Farm Bureau President on Politics of World Trade
Florida Farm Bureau’s John Hoblick was recently re-elected to his second two-year term as president of the state’s largest general farm organization. In his position Hoblick has opportunities to meet frequently with other agriculture leaders across the state and nation, and to participate in targeted travel and learning opportunities in dealing with the many issues affecting the state’s agriculture industries. …
Congressman Putnam Comments on Citrus Forecast & Economy
Speaking with central Florida Congressman Adam Putnam at the recent Ray-Bob Groves Crop Forecast Citrus Grower Breakfast, Putnam offers his comments about the crop forecast and responds to AgNet questions about the economic situation that’s garnering so many headlines nationwide. Most folks in Florida agriculture are well aware the Congressman’s family is in citrus and cattle production, and that he …
Grower Reaction to Citrus Crop Forecast
In these two reports, reaction to the citrus crop forecast moments after the report was released last Friday. Comments from citrus grower Mark Wheeler of Wheeler Farms, whose office is in Lake Placid. To view the entire report and hear comments from a futures trader, see our earlier post by clicking here. Sponsoring this report: Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch …
2008 Citrus Numbers Are In
Sponsoring this report: The 2008 numbers are in and Valencia’s projected a drop of 10%. Hear the broadcast here. CLICK HERE for a printable PDF document of the COMPLETED crop forecast chart. ALSO we are posting the link herein that will take you directly to the page of the USDA website that will have the actual crop forecast document posted …
John Deere Introduces New Compact Tractors for Market Niches
In Sarasota, Florida this week John Deere officials displayed hundreds of tractors, many of them new models to become available in 2009, many of them geared toward the ‘lifestyle’ rural crowd and folks involved in things like citrus, nursery, vineyards and other agriculture operations. According to John Deere representatives on hand for the event, the new models coupled with the …