The chairman of the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee filed a proposal this week that would funnel tens of millions of dollars to protecting natural springs and restoring the St. Johns River. Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, filed the proposal (SB 204) for consideration during the 2018 legislative session, which starts in January. Under the proposal, the state would …
Farmers Federation Praises Glenn EPA Appointment
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell praised the appointment of former Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Director Trey Glenn as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Southeast Region administrator. “Trey Glenn brings knowledge, experience and common-sense leadership to the EPA,” Parnell said. “He is committed to protecting the environment but understands the importance of working with stakeholders as partners in …
EPA Announces Appointment of Trey Glenn to Region 4 Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced the appointment of Trey Glenn of Alabama to become Regional Administrator for EPA’s Southeast Region (Region 4).  Mr. Glenn will employ his 22 years of environmental and regulatory experience in leading the environmental protection efforts across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Mr. Glenn served as …
New Drought Monitor Shows Both Improvements and Declines
The new Drought Monitor shows both vast declines and huge improvements in conditions across several parts of the country. Oklahoma is one state showing improvement. Oklahoma was 60 percent drought-free last week and recent rainfall has shrunk the areas under drought to just 14 percent. Cooler temps brought rainfall to much of northern Texas and Oklahoma that added up to …
Agri View: Drought and Farming
Everett Griner talks about drought and farming in the United States in today’s Agri View. Now, everybody knows what a drought is. It is something that affects everybody. Not just farmers. But, farmers are among the highest risk element of our entire population. You see, some areas of our country are more prone to drought than others. …
Dicamba Damage Reports Still Climbing
A new report issued on Monday shows the dicamba damage footprint is still growing. Both the number of investigations and damaged acres are climbing, especially in the Midwest. Kevin Bradley, a plant science professor at the University of Missouri, compiled the data and it shows complaints of off-site dicamba movement now cover 21 states, stretching from North Dakota to Georgia. …
Perdue Turning to Industry for Dicamba Fix
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue indicated to reporters this week that he would like to see the industry work out a fix on dicamba issues. Perdue said: “I would much prefer that method rather than a prescriptive, top-down regulation,” in saying that he is “hoping that the industry itself and the producers themselves are working toward a resolution,” according to Politico. …
Monsanto Addresses Dicamba Issues in Open Letter
In an open letter to customers, Monsanto says the company is committed to supporting farmers at every stage of the growing season. Monsanto, the maker of the Roundup Ready 2 Xtend crop system that includes the dicamba herbicide formulation XtendiMax, responded in the letter to complaints of dicamba drift injury to non-tolerant crops. Monsanto says that many farmers are “experiencing …
Largest Ever Dead Zone Found in U.S. Gulf
Federal scientists have measured the largest dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico in recent history. The oxygen-depleted area is roughly the size of New Jersey. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the increasing dead zone was fed by nutrient pollution washing down the Mississippi River. NOAA says the nutrient runoff comes primarily from …
Efforts Address Declining Pollinator Populations
Those in agriculture have been working with beekeepers and researchers to adopt more appropriate steps for assessing pesticides and their risks to pollinators. Dr. David Epstein, an entomologist for the USDA’s Office of Pest Management Policy, explains how a recent meeting between ag industry stakeholders, researchers, and beekeepers impacts his work at the USDA. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided …