South Florida Water Managers Debate BMPs, Discuss New Regulations

by Gary Cooper In this new atmosphere of starting over from scratch with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) leadership, a growing number of people in agriculture are asking more often and more loudly, “What’s going on?” Agriculture appears to be under the microscope, some say more like under attack, as a fast-growing urban sector reacts to what they don’t …

Fact Checking South Florida’s Water Politics – What Got Us Here?

by Gary Cooper Roots of Algae Debate Show Political Rhetoric Trumping the Facts Politically driven actions in recent months have undeniably brought major upheaval and confusion in South Florida’s water management circles. More than eight million people who are living in and invested in South Florida are directly impacted by these decisions in one way or another. Misinformation swirls about …

Weekly Livestock Market Report for the Week Ending 5-10-19

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida and Georgia, for the week ending May 10, 2019, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service. AL Livestock Market Report At Alabama livestock auctions for the week ending May 10, 2019, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,400 head compared to 16,723 last week and 12,319 last year. Compared …

Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces New Water Policy Director

Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Christopher Pettit as Director of Agricultural Water Policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Speaking outside the South Florida Water Management District, Fried highlighted Pettit’s background in water resources management in Florida and beyond. A livestream of the press conference may be viewed here. “Addressing our state’s water issues was one of my …

Florida Legislative Session Pretty Good for Cattlemen

The 2019 Florida legislative session wrapped up Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee as the budget was the last major piece of business for lawmakers. Sam Ard, Florida Cattlemen’s Association director of governmental affairs, said they did pretty good in the end. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher …

Is Florida Agriculture Under Attack by State Political Leaders?

by Gary Cooper As Florida lawmakers return home from a frustrating legislative session for Florida’s agriculture industry, the state’s farmers and ranchers wonder where they stand in a political environment that is much different than years past. Florida’s population continues to grow with about 1,000 new residents daily, with no end in sight. The negative environmental impacts from this historic …

Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session

Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and began the two-year terms of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose …

Lawmakers Sign Off on Budget as Session Ends

Florida’s Republican-dominated Legislature quickly put the finishing touches on a record $91.1 billion spending plan Saturday, meeting numerous requests from freshman Gov. Ron DeSantis. While declaring “great wins for conservatives,” along with environmental protections that should appeal to Democrats, the governor said he intends to use his line-item veto power but didn’t specify what spending he might target. “It’s going …