This release in this week from USDA in Washington DC: New Methods Development Laboratory Planned for South Miami, Fla. WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2009–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) plans to open a new Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection (AQI) and Port Technology Methods Development Laboratory in South Miami, Fla., later this year. Scientists at …
FL Beef Checkoff Keeps Working
While beef checkoff dollars keep dwindling, the Florida Beef Council continues to look for ways to promote beef as studies from the University of Florida show how the checkoff does benefit producers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Considers Efforts …
FL Special Session Budget Cuts Hit UF/IFAS, FDACS
Florida Farm Bureau’s Ben Parks in Tallahassee offers more details and insight into the Special Session budget cuts and key agriculture concerns going forward, since much more budget cutting is expected in the general session yet to come. In the first report below, Farm Bureau’s Parks discusses the general situation and some of the impacts to FDACS, in the second …
How Will Watermelons Fare in a Tighter Economy?
Florida leads the U S in watermelon production, and in light of the present economic situation all around, we asked National Watermelon Association Executive Bob Morrissey how he felt watermelons would fare on the marketing side considering the consumer belt tightening going on. Hear his comments in this report. By the way, some in our citrus audience may recognize Bob, …
FL NRCS Announces Signup Cutoff Dates
State Conservationist Carlos Suarez with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida has announced the cutoff date for two farm bill conservation programs, as all applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) will be accepted until close of business on February 27, 2009. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement …
FL Senate Committee on Economy Looking for Input at Workshops
More comments in these two reports from FL Senator Don Gaetz, Chairman of the Florida Senate Committee on the Economy, who says a series of public workshops starting this week will seek input from businesses and citizens on ideas to get the Florida economy going again. Gaetz says Florida agriculture in particular can be an important part of the process …
FL Farm Bureau Follow Up On Ag Budget Cuts in Special Session
In this report, Florida Farm Bureau Director of Legislative Affairs Ben Parks in Tallahassee gives our listeners a rundown of the budget cuts to the Florida Dept of Agriculture in the Special Session this month. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Food Safety Scares: It Can Happen To ANY Commodity
Reggie Brown of the Florida Tomato Exchange (photo) was a featured speaker in a couple of the sessions at the recent Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, GA. After what he and his industry went through in 2008 due to innaccurate reporting of a salmonella outbreak that did not involve tomatoes at all, Brown had some pointed comments for …
FL Citrus Mutual’s Sparks on New D C Outlook
Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Mike Sparks spoke recently to AgNet’s Ernie Neff about the new political scenario in Washington D C as it relates to the Florida citrus industry. Hear Sparks’ comments in these two reports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle …
FL Legislature Cuts Budget
Florida Cattlemen’s Association’s Director of Legislative Affairs, Sam Ard, has an update on the across the board cuts put together by the Florida legislature during their special session concerning the state budget situation and how they affect agriculture. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, …