Is Lake Okeechobee Algae Becoming Political Football?

Seasonal rains keep falling in south Florida and Lake Okeechobee water levels and water releases keep making national news. The so-called green algae again heads through canals and urbanizing areas toward the ocean to the East and the Gulf of Mexico to the West. Farmers south of the lake continue to fight misinformation spread by anti-agriculture interests in the region …

Ted Yoho: Citrus Greening Research Funding Is Imperative

The House and the Senate have passed their versions of the farm bill. Now it is time for appointed legislators to hammer out the details for the final version of the bill. Ted Yoho, U.S. Congressman and member of the House Committee on Agriculture, believes that including funding for citrus greening is vital for the Florida citrus industry. Before returning …

UF, Georgia Tech Scientists to Begin Work on More Drought-Tolerant Peanut

Farmers and consumers can benefit from a more drought-tolerant peanut, and scientists from the University of Florida and Georgia Institute of Technology will soon begin research to develop a more resilient crop. With it, growers would be able to produce more market-ready peanuts, and consumers can get more of the protein-filled legume. UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences agronomists …

White House Backs Everglades Reservoir

The White House on Tuesday backed Florida’s effort to secure federal funding for a reservoir intended to move water away from Lake Okeechobee and reduce discharges that residents blame for repeated toxic algae outbreaks spreading on both coasts. The request by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for the roughly $1.6 billion Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, approved …

UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory Director Inducted into Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association Hall of Fame

When Craig Watson, Director of the University of Florida IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, got his first aquarium at age 7, he couldn’t have predicted the important role that fishing and aquaculture would play in his life. “My brother and I would spend hours watching the fish, but I had no idea then it would be the beginning of a career.” On June …

Dairy Farmers Still Fighting for Relief Dollars

Hurricane Irma tore through Florida nearly 10 months ago. Citrus was heavily impacted by the storm, as well as other industries, like dairy. In February 2018, a relief package was passed for Florida agriculture. Despite suffering extensive damage, dairy was left out of the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP). So, what went wrong? Some dairy producers are still trying …

Team Beef Florida Gets National Exposure

We told you a couple of weeks ago that the Florida Beef Council (FBC) continues to promote the Team Beef program in the state. Dollars through the Beef Checkoff help support the efforts of Team Beef Florida. FBC CEO Jim Handley says the team recently received some national exposure. Team Beef Florida Gets National Exposure Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the …

Congressman Yoho Comments on WHIP Payments

The sign-up period for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP) is set to begin on July 16. There is some speculation as to how these payments will flow down to the growers. However, according to Ted Yoho, U.S. Congressman of Florida’s 3rd District, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and his staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have …