Key Senator Files Plan for Everglades, Water Money

(NSF) — The Senate’s top budget writer filed a proposal Monday that would put into law Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to spend $625 million a year on Everglades and water-quality projects. The proposal (SB 1878), filed by Appropriations Chairman Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, would carry out a DeSantis priority to spend $2.5 billion over four years on such projects. The …

Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 01-10-2020

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended January 10, 2020, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended January 10, 2020, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,346 head compared to 00,000 last week and …

DeSantis Environmental Plans Get Legislative Support

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis is making progress on his environmental wish list, as House members have joined senators in efforts that include setting up a statewide office focused on sea-level rise and creating more electric-vehicle charging stations. Also, Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, filed bills (HB 1091 and SB 1450) this week that back …

Florida Beef Council Hosting BQA Field Day

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) will be hosting a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Field Day this Saturday, January 11. FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says the event will be held in Okeechobee. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director …

DeSantis Likely to Get Environmental Money in Session

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis appears poised for a victory as he seeks environmental money to combat water-quality problems that plague the state. DeSantis’ $625 million request for the upcoming legislative session includes money for Everglades restoration, fighting toxic algae outbreaks and boosting the Florida Forever land-preservation program, all issues popular among lawmakers and environmentalists. The proposal is the second …

New Hemp Rules in Effect

(FDACS) — On Jan. 1, food safety and animal feed rules for the new state hemp program under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) went into effect. Regulations on hemp extract used in food and dairy products and animal feed have been incorporated into existing FDACS programs, hemp food establishment permits are available, and the department’s food safety inspectors are ready to conduct inspections. “We’re proud …

UF Adds New Beekeeping Class and Apiculture Study Abroad Program to Course Offerings

(UF/IFAS-CALS) —After seeing beekeeping named on a Top 10 list of neat classes at the University of Florida, Carson Beattie wanted to see what the hype was all about. “That’s when I fell in love with beekeeping,” said Beattie, a geology major. “It’s exciting because you’re always on your toes. It’s a good way to destress from other things – …

Florida Beef Council Friendly Reminder

If you own or have owned cattle in 2019, chances are you received a letter from the Florida Beef Council (FBC) reminding you that beef checkoff assessments are due for any cattle you may have sold this past year. With the end of the year upon us, FBC Director of Education and Promotion DeAnne Maples has this friendly reminder for producers across the state: Sponsored …

Lawmakers Seek to Scuttle Conservation Appeal

(NSF) — The House, Senate and two state agencies asked the Florida Supreme Court this week to reject an appeal in a fight about how lawmakers carried out a 2014 constitutional amendment aimed at boosting land and water conservation. Attorneys for the Legislature, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services filed briefs Monday asking …

Fire Safety Tips: Christmas Tree Disposal

(FDACS) — The Florida Forest Service is encouraging Floridians to dispose of Christmas trees safely. Dry limbs and needles from discarded Christmas trees can be an ignition source for fire if not properly cleared away from homes and natural areas. “We are encouraging all residents and visitors to be vigilant this holiday season,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried. â€śTrees discarded improperly can quickly turn …