USDA Offers Producers Options to Re-enroll or Extend Expiring CRP Contracts

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA) – Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible, select a one-year contract extension. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also is accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country’s largest conservation programs. FSA’s 52nd signup for …

Disrupting One Gene Could Be First Step Toward Treating Honey Bee Parasite Nosema Ceranae

Dan Industry News Release, Pollinators

BELTSVILLE, MARYLAND (USDA/ARS) —Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have taken the first step towards a weapon against the major honey bee parasite Nosema ceranae. There is currently no treatment for this parasite. The scientists found that feeding honey bees a small amount of an interfering RNA compound (RNAi) could disrupt the reproduction of N. cerana by as much as 90 percent in the …

The Buzz: Pollinators are Essential

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Pollinators

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES)— In the spirit of National Pollinator Week, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System salutes pollinators everywhere who are irreplaceable pieces of the puzzle in gardens, cropland and flowerbeds. Bees are more than honey-makers and hive builders. Bees are essential to the most important part of the food chain—pollination. Importance of Pollinators Bees are essential for the pollination of one-third …

Georgia NRCS Promoting the ABC’s of Pollinators

Dan Georgia, Pollinators, USDA-NRCS

Many in agriculture have been celebrating National Pollinator Week this week, as the event was designated by the U.S. Senate twelve years ago. Numerous groups like The Honey Bee Health Coalition, Farmers for Monarchs, and the Environmental Defense Fund have been working to expand pollinator awareness through education. But USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is also celebrating …

Court Rules Against Environmentalist in ‘Malice’ Case

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — In a case watched by environmental and First Amendment groups, a state appeals court Wednesday upheld a $4.4 million verdict against a prominent South Florida environmentalist who fought a project that included limerock mining. A three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal rejected arguments by Maggy Hurchalla, sister of the late U.S. Attorney General Janet …

Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Water

Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Farmers Preparing for Drought Conditions

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Drought, Industry News Release, Livestock, Water

While recent rains were welcome, more than 34 percent of Alabama still faces abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions. This has many livestock producers worried about providing their animals with enough to eat and drink. Landon Marks, an Alabama Extension animal science regional agent, said some northeastern Alabama areas are starting to see effects of the abnormally dry weather. “Water …

Meetings on Algae, Citrus and Water Management Ring Alarms for Florida Agriculture

Dan Environment, Florida, Lake Okeechobee, Water

Three meetings this week in three different areas of the state brought more discussion that should wake up producers and others in agriculture who have remained mostly silent for decades. As the state’s population continues to swell by a 1,000 new residents each day, Florida’s population will likely exceed 22-million next year. As the nation’s third most populous state, there’s …

Wetlands Proposal Deadline is Friday

Dan Environment, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners and conservation partners the deadline to submit proposals to protect and restore critical wetlands is June 14. USDA is making available up to $40 million in technical and financial assistance for these projects. Restored wetlands improve water quality downstream and improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood prevention and recreational benefits …