Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended October 30, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the Week ended October 30, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,800 head compared to 14,300 last week and …
Commodity Classic Announces Transition to Digital Experience
(NCGA) — Commodity Classic has announced it will transition its annual conference and trade show, originally scheduled for March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas, to an alternative digital format. The change was necessary due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new format is expected to be offered the first week in March 2021. “This is about doing …
Could the Miracle Fruit be for South Florida?
New study uncovers data showing how bountiful it can grow in the subtropics (UF/IFAS) — Scientists at University of Florida’s Tropical Research and Education Center have unlocked the mystery behind a highly sought-after berry known as the Miracle fruit in a study published this week. This news brings much needed insight to local growers, and food and drink manufacturers who …
New Blueberry Variety Honors Benefactor and UF Alumnus Alto Straughn
(UF/IFAS) — When Patricio Muñoz developed the University of Florida’s newest blueberry variety, he wanted to name the fruit in honor of Alto Straughn, a longtime, strong supporter of UF’s blueberry breeding program. Muñoz decided to call the new variety the ‘Sentinel.’ “A ‘sentinel’ is a watcher or guardian,” said Muñoz, a UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticultural sciences. “It is …
NCBA President Marty Smith Issues Statement on Florida Meetings
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) was invited to participate in two Florida producer meetings this week to discuss industry issues. Let me be clear, NCBA will not participate in events with organizations litigating against NCBA or the Beef Checkoff. Nor will we engage in events that that lend a voice to anti-agriculture activists like Marty Irby, a …
Boosting Citrus Tree Immunity to Combat HLB
By Manjul Dutt, Juliana Soares and Jude Grosser Land plants such as citrus are generally anchored to a specific location by their roots. Owing to their immobile nature and constant exposure to pathogenic microbes, plants are very vulnerable. However, you might be surprised by how much plants can protect themselves and survive against multiple adversities encountered during their lifetime. A …
Florida Ag Expo Decides to Forego its 2020 Event
Florida Ag Expo, an annual trade show with educational seminars for vegetable and specialty crop growers, has decided to forego its 2020 event. “While we see businesses reopen and people are returning to a sense of normalcy, we know that has only been made possible by everyone doing their part. Therefore, we made the decision not to go forward with …
Higher Numbers of Cattle on Feed
The latest Cattle on Feed Report shows higher cattle inventories as of Oct. 1, 2020. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million head, 4% above Oct. 1, 2019. This is the highest Oct. 1 inventory since …
UGA Weed Specialist: We Can’t Do Anything but Thank the EPA
By Clint Thompson Cotton and soybean farmers can rest easy, the Environmental Protection Agency has provided clarity on three dicamba products, which provides growers ample time to prepare for the 2021 growing season. According to the Environmental Protection Agency press release, the EPA, which made the announcements in Florida and Georgia on Tuesday, approved new registrations for two “over-the-top” (OTT) …
National FFA Announces 2020 National Agricultural Proficiency Winners
INDIANAPOLIS ? Eight winners of the 2020 Agricultural Proficiency Awards were named during the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo on Tuesday, Oct. 27, which is being held virtually this year. Agricultural Proficiency Awards honor FFA members who, through supervised agricultural experiences (SAEs), have developed specialized skills that they can apply toward their future careers. Students compete in areas ranging from agricultural …