(NSF) — A last-minute deal on E-Verify emerged in the Senate on Friday, moving the Republican-dominated Legislature closer to giving Gov. Ron DeSantis a win on a key campaign promise. After weeks of negotiating with the governor’s office and reviewing a House proposal, Senate bill sponsor Tom Lee said Friday the Senate earlier that day had reached a “compromise” that …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 03-6-2020
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended March 6, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended-March 06, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 9,500 head compared to 8,723 last week and 7,159 …
House Approves DeSantis’ Call to Hike Environmental Fines
(NSF) — The Florida Legislature is close to approving Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to boost fines on environmental lawbreakers. The House, with little comment, voted 106-0 on Friday to pass a proposal (HB 1091) that would make numerous changes in the amounts and duration of penalties for violating Florida environmental laws. The Senate put on hold a similar proposal (SB …
DeSantis Sides With Senate on E-Verify
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis is backing the Senate in a heated fight over E-Verify, a move that could tip the scale in a contentious immigration battle as the 2020 legislative session draws to a close. Senate President Bill Galvano said his chamber is ready to consider legislation that was negotiated between Sen. Tom Lee, who is sponsoring the bill, …
Florida Cattlemen’s President on Protecting the Land
The 2020 Florida legislative session is getting closer to wrapping up, but during week two of the annual event, the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) held its annual Legislative Quarterly. FCA President Matt Pearce recently told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, they were trying to get the positive message across about protecting the land. For more information, contact the FCA office in …
Florida EQIP Applications Due Friday, March 6
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners are being reminded applications for financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2020 are due Friday, March 6. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida can help agricultural landowners improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial …
Yoho Introduces Ag Worker Bill
A member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Ted Yoho (R-FL), has announced the introduction of the “Labor Certainty for Food Security Act” this week to solve America’s agricultural labor shortage. In a recent interview with Southeast AgNet, Congressman Yoho said there are hurdles in getting this passed. Yoho noted this commonsense bill will bring relief to America’s farmers and …
2020 Team Beef Florida Off to Good Start
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is pleased with the fact the fourth season for Team Beef is off to a good start. Erin Freel told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, they are now up to 39 team members and they have already been running. To learn more, contact the Florida Beef Council office in Kissimmee, Florida or go to teambeefflorida.com. Sponsored …
USDA Provides Florida $4 million for Agricultural Pest and Disease Protection
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $4 million to Florida as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing almost $70 million in funding this year to support 386 projects in 48 states, The …
Budget Work in Final Days of Florida Legislative Session
The 2020 Florida Legislative Session is getting closer to wrapping up, as with only this and next week left, it’s crunch time on finalizing various issues including the budget. According to Mary Ann Hooks, University of Florida/IFAS director of government affairs, committees will be hearing bills this week. So the time to get bills in the proper posture to be …