Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended October 18, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended October 18, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 15,800 head compared to 15,292 last week and …
Florida NRCS to Conduct RCPP Workshop Wednesday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). And Florida NRCS will conduct one more RCPP Workshop. It will be held Wednesday, October 23 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Bert J. Harris Jr. Agricultural Center Auditorium in Sebring. The workshop will cover program requirements, the application process, and project evaluations. Potential …
Growers Should Manage Tomato Bacterial Spot While Seedlings are in Transplant Facilities
BALM, FL (UF/IFAS-oct. 17, 2019) — New findings from University of Florida scientists could help tomato growers nationwide in their battle against a damaging disease. With 37,000 acres, Florida’s tomato industry is a $520 million-a-year crop, so it’s critical to find sources of diseases so growers can avoid or treat them to sustain their yields. But a bacterium called Xanthomonas …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Statement to Congress on Aquaculture
Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Oct. 16, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried submitted testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, in advance of the committee’s hearing on sustainable offshore aquaculture. In Florida, aquaculture is a $77 million industry, with over 700 aquaculture leases covering 2,700 submerged acres; the industry produces over 1,500 varieties of fish, plants, crustaceans, mollusks, corals, reptiles, and …
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Legislation to Expedite Water Quality Improvements
Jupiter, FL (EOG-Oct. 16, 2019) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced proposed legislation for the 2020 legislative session that will expedite water quality improvements throughout Florida. The legislation incorporates recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force, which the governor created shortly after taking office to aid the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in protecting, conserving and managing the state’s natural resources. …
Miss Teen International Visits Sunbelt Ag Expo
Folks from far and wide visit the Sunbelt Ag Expo each year to take in the various exhibits and seminars. One of those in attendance this year is a person you may not expect to see here, but the reigning Miss Teen International has been on the grounds taking in the various aspects of the show. Madeline Wright, from Sneads, Florida, …
Results of the 2019 Southeastern Hay Contest
(Sunbelt Ag Expo-October 15, 2019) — The 2019 Southeastern Hay Contest (SEHC) presented by Massey Ferguson celebrates its 15th edition with a record of 380 entries vying for the top spot. Since 2004, the SEHC, a partnership between Auburn University, Clemson University, The University of Florida and The University of Georgia has been a key tool for promoting hay quality …
Perdue Speaks at Sunbelt Ag Expo
During Tuesday’s Farmer of the Year Award luncheon at the Sunbelt Ag Expo, one of the guest speakers was U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. He briefly hit on a few of the issues of importance to Southeast farmers, including disaster relief. Afterwards, during a quick press conference, he told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that ag producers who applied for assistance …
30th Year for Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award
During the Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia, the 30th Anniversary of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year luncheon took place. Since its inception in 1990, the award has evolved into the most prestigious honor in the southeast and nation with 255 outstanding agribusiness leaders being honored for their “excellence in agriculture.” Ten states participate in the …
Crop Insurance Deadlines Near in Florida
Avocado, Blueberry, and Pasture, Rangeland, Forage and Apiculture Producers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) are reminding Florida avocado, blueberry, pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) and apiculture producers that deadlines to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop …