USDA Funds Conservation Innovation in Florida and Nationally Through On-Farm Trials of Conservation Systems

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding $25 million in grants designed to help partners implement and evaluate innovative conservation practices that have demonstrated benefits on farmland. The funding is provided through On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials), a component of the Conservation Innovation Grants program first authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. “On-Farm …

Commissioner Fried Announces 2021 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees for 2021. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 16, 2021. “Florida agriculture is at the core of our state’s rich cultural history, impacting the lives of millions of Floridians each day. …

Perdue Tours South Alabama, Northwest Florida Hurricane Sally Damage

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made various stops in South Alabama and Northwest Florida to tour agricultural areas that were damaged by Hurricane Sally. He also hosted a roundtable discussion with local farmers who were impacted. In comments to the media, Perdue said he saw crops that have been cut in half. Perdue was joined by various state legislators …

Florida Dieticians Receive Current Information About Beef

This past weekend, the Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics held its first Virtual Florida Food and Nutrition Symposium, and the Florida Beef Council (FCB) was part of the 2-day event. Sarah Krieger, a registered dietician who works with the FBC, says she was able to provide current information about beef to those taking part. For more information about this …

Cotton, Peanut Harvest Update

Cooler, dryer air is moving across the Southeast, which will aid in the harvest of both cotton and peanut fields. But recent rains slowed that progress this past week, and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest look at the nation’s cotton condition ratings. . And Rippy notes the past week was not a good one for field work for …

U.S. Cattle on Feed Up 4%

The latest cattle on feed report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes the number of cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.4 million head on Sept. 1, 2020, which is 4% above Sept. 1, 2019. This is the highest Sept. 1 …

NCC Chairman on Doing Business Virtually

Despite the challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the National Cotton Council (NCC) has been busy doing the business needed for the cotton industry. NCC Chairman Kent Fountain, a ginner from Surrency, Georgia, told Southeast AgNet most of what they have been doing is virtual. To learn more on how the NCC is continuing to work for producers and the entire …

Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 09-25-2020

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended September 25, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 14,900 head compared to 12,795 last week and 18,818 year ago. Compared to one week …

Fried Issues Statement on President’s Hurricane Sally Major Disaster Declaration

Tallahassee, Fla. – Late yesterday, President Donald Trump approved a Major Disaster Declaration for parts of Florida in response to Hurricane Sally, of which Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried had written the President in support. While the declaration makes public assistance available in Escambia County, it does not include individual assistance and leaves 12 other impacted Florida counties without additional …

Florida Cabinet Approves Six Conservation Deals

NSF – With little comment, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved spending more than $9 million to protect 5,200 acres across five counties from future development. The deals will establish conservation easements on five agricultural properties totaling 3,367 acres. Such easements restrict future development while allowing landowners to continue using property for such things as agriculture. …