FL Citrus Crop Forecast Update for May 2009

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

USDA Reports No Change in the 2008-2009 Florida Orange Crop Sponsoring this news report: CLICK HERE to go to the USDA Statistics website where all the citrus crop forecasts are stored, including the just released MAY update as soon as they get it posted. Meanwhile, here is Florida Citrus Mutual’s take on this month’s update: LAKELAND, Fla. (Citrus Mutual – …

On Line Citrus Plant Interdiction Part of CHRP Enforcement Efforts

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

Halting the movement of citrus plants from a growing list of quarantined areas was a primary topic of a conference call between some citrus industry folks and officials involved with the Citrus Health Response Plan in recent days. In this report, Scott Sanner, national coordinator for USDA’s Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance Program, says in addition to watching the more …

FL NRCS: $1.325 Million Available for Florida Organic Producers

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables

Applications Accepted Until May 29, 2009 – GAINESVILLE, May 8, 2009—The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announces over $1.3 Million in funding available for qualified applicants for a new Organics Initiative. The initiative meets the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as …

FL Governor Expected to Sign Budget

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Florida, General

Last Friday the Florida legislature finally passed the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year and Sam Ard, Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, said it’s now headed to the Governor who is expected to sign it.

Follow Up Report: Fresh Citrus Shipping Rule An Industry Priority

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

You’ll find the original post of this same radio report a week back in these news archives. It has comments from Florida Citrus Mutual C E O Mike Sparks about Mutual’s work on the Florida fresh fruit shipping rules for next season. Due to feedback received from one listener about other reports we’ve done on this topic in recent days, …

“Citrus Research and Development Foundation” To Handle Funds

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida

A new citrus industry organization that will administer funds for HLB (citrus greening disease) and canker research is now up and running. A board of mostly citrus growers met in Lake Alfred to organize the Florida Citrus Research and Development Foundation. In the first two reports herein, Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff (left) has details about this new Direct Support Organization …

FL Budget: UF Fares Better than Expected, Crop Protection Doesn’t

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General

When Florida lawmakers finally threw in the towel on this year’s Legislative Session, there were winners and losers. UF/IFAS ended up taking cuts, but not disproportionately as it had been looking like it would. Meanwhile, food crop protection products again got hit with a doubling of registration fees, and as always, it may take some time to figure out some …