Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2020 Year-to-Date

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Water

(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role …

Oliva Open to Governor’s E-Verify Mandate

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Labor and Immigration

(NSF) — House Speaker José Oliva said he is “open” to supporting an E-Verify bill that would meet the goals of Gov. Ron DeSantis, but expressed doubts about the Senate’s version of the legislation. The Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this week carved out the agriculture industry from a bill (SB 664) that would require employers to use E-Verify, a federal …

Florida Lawmakers Approve Proposed Budgets

Dan Economy, Florida, Legislative

Thursday, both the Florida House and Senate unanimously passed their versions of a record state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed House budget, at $91.37 billion, is about $1.4 billion less than the Senate’s $92.83 billion spending plan. Both proposals top the $90.98 billion budget for the current fiscal year. According to the News Service of Florida, the proposed …

Florida E-Verify Plan Clears First Senate Hurdle

Clint Thompson Florida

(NSF) – A Senate committee on Tuesday approved a watered-down proposal aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from getting jobs in the state, an issue that has long divided Florida Republicans and is sowing discord among prominent business leaders. Along party lines, the Senate Judiciary Committee backed the bill (SB 664), which would require employers to do immigration checks on all …

NRCS Announces EQIP Sign-Up

Dan Alabama, Florida, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up is underway in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Alabama NRCS Announces EQIP Sign-Up USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama has announced the 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up is underway. The application deadline is February 28, 2020 for farmers, ranchers and private landowners …

Blackbeard’s Ranch Humbled by ESAP Award

Clint Thompson Cattle, Florida

During last week’s Cattle Industry Convention, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka, Florida was the winner of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Blackbeard’s managing partner Jim Strickland told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that he is humbled by winning the award . Strickland has expanded the ranch’s products to include beef, honey and …

It’s Budget Time in the Florida Legislature

Clint Thompson Florida, Legislative

Week five of the Florida Legislative session kicks off this week, and both the Senate and House, of course, have already released their prospective budgets for the upcoming fiscal year that starts July 1. The Senate proposed a $92.8 billion budget while the House proposed a $91.3 billion budget. The $1.5 billion difference includes funding amounts for the environment, education, …

Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 02-07-2020

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended February 7, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended February 07, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,100 head compared to 12,498 last week and …

Florida’s Blackbeard’s Ranch Recognized for Outstanding Stewardship Practices

Dan Cattle, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced Blackbeard’s Ranch in Myakka, Fla., as the winner of the 2019 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The award was presented at the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1991, by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to recognize outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry, …

North Florida Rivers Get Boost in Senate Bill

Dan Environment, Florida, Lake Okeechobee

(NSF) — Some additional money would be shifted to help three North Florida rivers under a Senate proposal designed to carry out Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request to spend $625 million annually on Everglades and other water projects over the next three years. Bill sponsor Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican who chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, revised his proposal …