As agricultural producers across parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia continue to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires last year that signup for assistance through the 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP) ends Nov. 16, 2018. Eligible crops, trees, bushes or vines, …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended November 02, 2018, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: AL Livestock Market Report At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended-November 02, 2018, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 15,500 head compared to 17,440 …
Florida Disaster Assistance and Hurricane Recovery Workshops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Michael that representatives from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Rural Development (RD) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) will present disaster assistance workshops next week. Topics to be discussed include emergency assistance for livestock & crop-related expenses and losses; financial assistance programs …
Lake Okeechobee Fishermen Set the Record Straight on Algae Facts and Fiction
My travels through and around my childhood region of South Florida in recent months allowed me to bore into a few more angles of the algae story. Much of what the public is being told about Lake Okeechobee water and its connection to green algae in coastal waterways is simply not true. The facts remain the facts, and this issue …
Hurricane-Ravaged Florida Farmers Wonder Who’s Listening
While much of mainstream news seems to be stuck on mid-term campaign coverage or arguing about whether words matter, thousands of rural farm families severely impacted by Hurricane Michael and other recent storms are starting to wonder if their words are even being clearly heard. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam hosted an agricultural listening session late Tuesday afternoon in Blountstown …
Assistance Helps Farmers, Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Application deadline for financial assistance Dec. 21 Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Dec. 21 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2019 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year. Through EQIP, agricultural landowners may …
Water Woes Become a Political Wildcard
Throughout the summer, politicians heard from Floridians angered by the latest bouts of toxic blue-green algae in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, along with a festering red-tide outbreak on the Gulf Coast. Protesters focused on the state’s handling of rising sea levels, a limited acknowledgement of climate change and past actions by Gov. Rick Scott such as reducing funding …
Putnam/FDACS Host Listening Session on Hurricane Michael Damage
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam opens to a packed house in Blountstown, FL late this afternoon (Tuesday), with area residents participating in a listening session hosted by his Department. Reviewing the latest information available regarding damage assessments for various crops in the region, Putnam pointed out there has been devastating damage to many crops including some that have no established …
Florida Farmers, Ranchers and Sportsmen Urging No Vote on 13
While many may have heard that Amendment 13 in Florida would end gambling on bet 10 get 30 style of dog racing, most may not realize there is declaration in the language of this amendment that establishes humane treatment of animals as a fundamental value to the people of Florida. That’s why a group of farmers, ranchers and sportsmen are …
Central Florida UF Researchers Use Drones to Assess Hurricane Michael Damage in Panhandle
Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences recently traveled to Panhandle counties to include Gadsden, Jackson and Calhoun with their drones to assess damage after Hurricane Michael devastated the region. “This is the first time UF/IFAS scientists have used drones to determine agricultural crop damage and yield reduction,” said Jim Fletcher, a regional specialized agent …