TUCSON, ARIZONA (ARS – September 18, 2019) — A new tool from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) can predict the odds that honey bee colonies overwintered in cold storage will be large enough to rent for almond pollination in February. Identifying which colonies will not be worth spending dollars to overwinter can improve beekeepers’ bottom line. Beekeepers have been losing …
Houseplants That Can Improve Your Health
Houseplants are not only a beautiful addition to your home, they serve an important purpose. Cathy Isom lets you know about some plants that can improve your health. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Houseplants aren’t just excellent companions because they brighten rooms. They allow you to experience the outdoors inside the comfort of your home. Beyond that, …
Biosolids Produce Less Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff than Inorganic Fertilizer
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-September 17, 2019) — New research from University of Florida scientists found that some nutrients from inorganic fertilizers enter surface water more easily than those from biosolids. Maria Silveira, a professor in the UF/IFAS department of soil and water sciences, led the study that collected runoff from a common pasture grass to determine its nitrogen and phosphorus content. …
Industry Responds to EPA WOTUS Announcement
(Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 12, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking another step to fulfill President Trump’s pledge to repeal and replace the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “Repealing the WOTUS rule is a major win for American agriculture. The extreme overreach from the past Administration had government taking …
Growing the Mexican Sunflower Attracts Pollinators
Cathy Isom has a few tips, as well as the importance of growing the Mexican Sunflower. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Mexican sunflower is an annual flower that has many names. It’s also known as the Bolivian sunflower, tree marigold, golden flower of the Incas, Japanese sunflower, and just Tithonia. Butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators …
Home Remedies for Bee Stings
At one time or another, you will be stung by a bee. Cathy Isom gives you some home remedies for bee stings. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The basics for treating any sting is to make sure you remove the stinger as quickly as possible. In most cases, you can use the edge of a credit card …
Court Backs Lawmakers in Conservation Fight
TALLAHASSEE (NSF-September 9, 2019) — In a blow to environmental groups, an appeals court Monday overturned a circuit judge’s ruling that said state lawmakers improperly diverted money that flowed from a 2014 constitutional amendment designed to boost land and water conservation. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson erred …
How to Build a Do-It-Yourself Bee House
Everyone know how important bees are for pollinating our plants. Cathy Isom checks out the bees living arrangements by letting you know how to build a do-it-yourself bee house. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. One way to help the honeybee population, or by simply bringing more pollinators into your yard, is not only growing things that will …
POSTPONED: Florida Energy & Climate Summit, September 4-6, 2019
Tallahassee, FL (FDACS) – As Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida with expected Category 4 force and uncertain projected path, the Office of Energy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has postponed the 2019 Florida Energy & Climate Summit, which was to be held September 4-6 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Due to the storm’s expected impact upon the speakers, …
NCBA on WOTUS Legal Victory
Earlier this month, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded the introduction of the Define WOTUS Act. In other news concerning the Waters of the U.S., NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager discusses a significant legal victory. Yager says there are currently 27 states that have an injunction against the 2015 rule, but the other states still have the rule …