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 …

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 …

Florida Beef Council Preparing for 2019

The Florida Beef Council (FBC) will soon be meeting to discuss plans for 2019. FBC CEO Jim Handley explains what will be discussed. Florida Beef Council Preparing for 2019 Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers …

Hurricane Causes Heavy Losses for Panhandle Farmers

Hurricane Michael will cost Florida farmers an estimated $158 million because of damaged crops, including major damage sustained by cotton farmers, according to a University of Florida study released Friday. Economists with the university’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences projected that nearly 1 million acres of crops such as cotton, nuts and vegetables, along with beef, dairy and other …

Florida HS Students Present Research at Prestigious Global Conference

Five students who completed a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences program were among 210 high school students from around the world who attended the 25th Annual Global Youth Institute symposium hosted by The World Food Prize Foundation. The students discussed critical food security and agricultural issues with international experts. The event was held from Oct. 17 …

Assistance Available through NRCS for Ag Land Damaged by Hurricane Michael

Florida farmers and ranchers who suffered damage to working lands and livestock mortality due to Hurricane Michael are encouraged to sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Agricultural producers in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Leon, Liberty, Wakulla, and Washington counties are eligible to apply for assistance. …

Putnam Recognizes Ag-Environmental Leadership Award Recipients

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam awarded the recipients of the Ag-Environmental Leadership Award during the last breakfast at the Florida Farm Bureau’s (FFB) annual meeting. Southeast AgNet’s Abbey Taylor was able to catch up with Putnam after the breakfast, where they discussed this award and its recipients this year. The winners of the award included Florida agriculture professionals that …