Florida Reopening Forest Campgrounds

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service announced today the Phase One re-opening of Florida State Forest campgrounds, campsites, and recreation areas. The Florida Forest Service, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), manages more than 1 million acres of state forests and provides forest management assistance on more than 17 million …

Make Planter Modifications Now

By Clint Thompson Planting season is underway across the Southeast. Growers can save time and money by making modifications now before planting in certain fields. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Ag Engineer Wes Porter reminds cotton and peanut farmers the importance of correct planter settings. “Whether it’s cotton or peanuts, when we first pull into a new field, evaluate the …

Peanut Specialist Concerned with Cooler Weather

The cooler temperatures has some folks concerned when it comes to planting this year’s peanut crop. Tyron Spearman has the details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June …

Planning is Hard to Do When Cattle Markets Are in a State of Flux

Cattle producers and livestock analysts are having an equally hard time trying to forecast which way the markets will go. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides …

Bill Would Increase CCC Borrowing Authority

A bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week would expand the Commodity Credit Corporations annual borrowing authority. The legislation from Republican Representative Austin Scott of Georgia would raise the CCC’s borrowing authority from $30 billion to $68 billion. Scott says the move would give the Department of Agriculture greater flexibility to maintain farm bill programs that support …

Ag Economy Barometer Reaches Three-Year Low

Commodity price declines, supply-chain disruptions, and coronavirus concerns pushed the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer down to a three-year low in April. The barometer recorded a reading of 96, marking the first time the barometer has fallen below 100 since October 2016, and was 72 points below its record high just two months prior. The Ag Economy Barometer is …

Low Temperatures Could Impact Seed Germination

By Clint Thompson Row crop farmers need to be wary of cooler temperatures this week, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist. Producers are planting cotton and peanuts. But if temperatures drop into the 40s as weather.com predicts for Tifton, Georgia, they could impact seed germination. “I’m not a seed specialist but I know that if you …

Commissioner Nikki Fried, Florida Forest Service Warn Floridians of Increased Wildfire Danger

Tallahassee, Fla.– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service are urging Floridians to exercise caution due to the increased threat of wildfires. Fire danger has increased throughout the state due to windy conditions and critically low relative humidity over the coming days. Gusty conditions are possible in the Panhandle and Big Bend with the passage of a dry …

Planting in Full Swing

Seed is going into the ground across many areas of the Southeast right now. Tyron Spearman looks at how some of the individual crops are progressing. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of …

USDA Announces $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banking Program Funds

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the availability of up to $5 million for wetland mitigation banks. This funding, through the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, is available to help conservation partners develop or establish mitigation banks to help agricultural producers maintain eligibility for USDA programs. “Wetlands are critically important to the health of our natural resources — …