Bayer is increasing efforts to defend Roundup, its flagship weed killer. A Dow Jones report says the effort follows a recent verdict in a California court case alleging that the chemical causes cancer sent shares sharply lower. According to the company’s court filing, Bayer wants a California judge to overturn the jury verdict, order a new trial, or reduce the …
Scott Seeks Red Tide Research, Draws Criticism
Gov. Rick Scott wants state wildlife commissioners to seek funding for a red-tide research center and to restart a long-dormant task force, as waters along Florida’s Gulf Coast continue to face an expanding red-tide outbreak that began last year. Environmentalists said Scott’s latest proposals won’t cure the ongoing problems and criticized the funding proposal as a campaign stunt. In a …
Bayer Says Dicamba Decision Likely Coming Soon
The world’s largest agribusiness is predicting the Environmental Protection Agency will decide soon on the future of dicamba. Bayer expects the EPA to issue a renewal and an updated license for the product in the weeks ahead. Liam Condon, President of the Crop Science Division at Bayer, says, “The EPA wants to make a decision before the next growing season …
Groups Seek to Lift Stay in Conservation Money Case
Arguing that time “is of the essence,” environmental groups Wednesday requested that a judge lift a stay of a ruling that found state lawmakers did not properly carry out a 2014 constitutional amendment that requires spending on land and water conservation. Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson in July ruled in favor of groups such as the Florida Wildlife Federation …
NRCS Providing Financial Assistance
Farmers and ranchers looking to make improvements to land you own or lease need to check with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). They offer voluntary programs to eligible landowners and producers that provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources sustainably. Through these programs NRCS approves contracts that provide financial assistance in helping plan and implement conservation practices …
USDA Partners to Improve Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Rural Americans
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is investing $392 million (PDF, 238 KB) to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 42 states. “Put simply, modern and reliable water infrastructure is foundational to quality of life and economic development,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s partnerships with rural communities underscore Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s commitment to rural …
Agri View: Plastic Destruction
Everett Griner is taking a serious look at a big problem. Everett talks about the destruction we are creating for our oceans with plastic in today’s Agri View. Plastic Destruction How often do you use a plastic straw? What do you do with it when you are finished? It doesn’t really matter. It generally winds up in our oceans. I …
Building Good Soil for Your Garden
Building good soil is important whether you are a gardner, farmer, or just love the outdoors. Cathy Isom has some ways to soup up your soil. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Building Good Soil for Your Garden When we take good care of our soil, we are helping our plants thrive and with very little work. Good …
Florida Successfully Combating Destructive, Disease-Carrying Giant African Land Snail
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that more than 168,000 giant African land snails (GALS) have been eliminated in Florida since the invasive snail was discovered in Miami-Dade County in 2011. In addition to threatening more than 500 varieties of plants and agricultural commodities, GALS consume plaster and stucco to get the calcium needed to grow their shells. The …
ASA Focusing on Monarch habitat
While trade issues remain a top priority for the soy industry, the American Soybean Association (ASA) is taking a moment this fall to highlight the importance of monarch habitat in its overall conservation efforts, which include soil and water quality, and pollinator preservation. This week, ASA launched a month-long effort on social media to showcase the importance of monarch habitat. …