(USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water …
Cover Crops Helped Alabama Growers During Rainy Winter
By Clint Thompson Alabama farmers who utilized cover crops this winter protected their soil during times of excessive rainfall, according to Audrey Gamble, an assistant professor and Extension specialist at Auburn University. “I think it’s very obvious to see that we’ve had record rainfalls across the state, and that in fields where we had cover crops, it helped with preventing …
COVID-19 Response: UF/IFAS Extension Statewide Uses Multiple Methods to Meet Floridians’ Needs
(UF/IFAS) — From Homestead to Pensacola, UF/IFAS Extension agents and staff are using all tools necessary – including many virtual activities — to help businesses, neighbors and governments navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19. Here are some examples from UF/IFAS Extension county offices and Florida 4-H of our faculty assisting their communities around the state: Pinellas JP Gellerman, director of …
NCBA: Beef Business amid the COVID-19 Outbreak
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) held a media conference call Wednesday to discuss the current state of the beef business amid the COVID-19 outbreak. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, provided an update on what NCBA is doing within the industry and in Washington, DC to ensure that beef continues to make it to consumers. Sponsored ContentNuseed …
Bill Seeks to Add ‘Teeth’ to Environmental Laws
(NSF) — An increase in fines for environmental lawbreakers, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, is heading to his desk. The House voted 115-0 on Thursday to give final approval to a proposal (HB 1091) that would make numerous changes in the amounts and duration of penalties for violating Florida environmental laws. The Senate also unanimously backed the bill earlier …
Florida Forever to Get $100 Million
(NSF) — Florida Forever, the state’s signature land-preservation program, will get a sizable, one-time boost in funding as lawmakers inched closer Sunday to patching together an estimated $92 billion budget for next fiscal year. House and Senate negotiators also agreed to keep alive an economic development fund backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis but cut spending on the program. The $100 …
House Approves DeSantis’ Call to Hike Environmental Fines
(NSF) — The Florida Legislature is close to approving Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to boost fines on environmental lawbreakers. The House, with little comment, voted 106-0 on Friday to pass a proposal (HB 1091) that would make numerous changes in the amounts and duration of penalties for violating Florida environmental laws. The Senate put on hold a similar proposal (SB …
EQIP is the Workhorse of Conservation
Many landowners are familiar with EQIP, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. It provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver a variety of environmental benefits. According to NRCS Associate Chief, Kevin Norton, EQIP is the workhorse of conservation. Norton told Southeast AgNet that programs through EQIP are not just about traditional crop production. Learn more …
USDA Assisting in Coronavirus Prevention Effort
Coronavirus is top news right now, and an issue that many in the U.S. Government are dealing with. As Rod Bain reports, there are even some measures the Agriculture Department is taking as part of an agency-wide federal effort to address the threat. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in …
CRP Sign Up Ends Friday
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is reminding agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 2020 general signup, that they must make an offer of acres or schedule an appointment to do so with their local USDA service center by Friday, February 28. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture …