DPI Citrus Grower Meetings Continue

All Florida citrus growers are being asked to attend one of the Citrus Health Response Plan update meetings being hosted by the Division of Plant Industry of FDACS. The meeting held this week on Tuesday in Ft Pierce was better attended than the one in Bartow last week. In this report, which airs on the radio network Wednesday this week, …

USDA Extends Comment Period on Citrus Proposed Rules

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2007–The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service today announced that it is extending the comment period to August 7 on the proposed rule amending its citrus canker regulations to eliminate pre-harvest grove inspection for all Florida citrus moving interstate. This 15-day extension will allow interested parties Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding …

Reaction to House Ag Farm Bill

Reaction to the Farm Bill passed late last week by the House Agriculture Committee has been mostly positive, although Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says he would like to see changes made on the House floor. Report (1:00 mp3) Specialty crop growers are pleased with the Farm Bill passed out of the House Agriculture committee late last week. Committee member Tim …

Lots of News for FL Citrus This Week

In the first report posted below, I cram several timely headlines in for citrus interests. In the second report, President/CEO Alan Banks of Losonoco, Inc, the company building Florida’s first Ethanol plant in Bartow, says he wants to talk to citrus people about alternative crops for empty acreage and citrus by-products that can be used in ethanol production. Report (2:00 …

FL Specialty Crop Foundation Backs Greening Research

MAITLAND, Fla. (July 23, 2007) – The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation has awarded four grants totaling $75,000 for important research into citrus greening, Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman GeneticsMay 15, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle …

Florida Farmers Sought for Fuel Crops Production Contracts

Alan Banks is President/CEO of Losonoco Inc, a company presently building Florida’s first ethanol plant in Bartow. Banks wants to talk to Florida farmers and citrus growers about contracting for materials for the plant, set to go on line in 2008. Listen to the entire interview in this report, particularly at the very end where Banks says to Florida Farmers, …

FL Congressman Tim Mahoney: Farm Bill Draft Good for Florida

In this interview with Southeast AgNet Friday morning at the Farm to Fuel meeting in St. Pete, South Florida Congressman Tim Mahoney explains why the Farm Bill draft just passed by the U S House Ag Committee is good for Florida agriculture. Report (4:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman GeneticsMay 15, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

FL Commissioner’s Spotlight

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson talks about nominations for the Agriculture Hall of Fame. More information can be found on the web at: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2007/05302007.html Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding to Enhance Brahman GeneticsMay 15, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant …

A Toast to Ethanol Profitability

In this photo released from the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, UF Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Jimmy Cheek (left), UF Distinguished Professor of Microbiology Lonnie Ingram (center) and Verenium Vice President for Business Development Tim Eves (right) raise a toast to celebrate the first payment from Verenium to UF for use of …

FL AgNet Week In Review July 20, 2007

In this weeks podcast, National Cowboy Day is planned for July 28, the second annual Farm to Fuel Summit held in Sarasota, Department of Plant Industry meets with growers at five meetings across the state, and newly elected Florida Citrus Chairman Ben Albritton, Jr. talks about his plans for the year. To hear Florida’s weekly reviews subscribe to our podcast …