Program Funding Helps in Aftermath Forecasters are predicting another busy hurricane season this year, while Florida is still recovering from Hurricane Irma and Harvey. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) funded $93 million for 133 projects in 27 Florida counties damaged by Hurricane Irma and $570,000 for one project in one county from Hurricane Harvey. Projects will remove debris and stabilize stream-banks to …
UF/IFAS Researchers May Use Fungi to Control Deadly Crop Disease
A group of fungi might fight a disease that’s dangerous to tomatoes and specialty crops. University of Florida scientists hope to develop this biological strategy as they add to growers’ tools to help control Fusarium wilt. Tomatoes are the number one vegetable crop in Florida. In 2017, approximately 28,000 acres of tomatoes were commercially harvested, with a production value of …
Florida Forest Service Accepting Applications to Help Landowners Combat Devastating Southern Pine Beetle
To help combat the invasive Southern Pine Beetle, which is currently present in 52 infestation sites throughout six Florida counties, the Florida Forest Service is accepting applications for the 2018 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program from non-industrial, private forest landowners through June 29, 2018. The program is limited to 44 northern Florida counties, the known range of the …
UF/IFAS Student from Union County Awarded First Roland T. Stern Scholarship Award
Chad Nolan Ward, Jr. hails from a long line of forestry workers. The Union County resident and University of Florida student says the profession is in his blood. “My father is a third-generation logger and owns the family business, Chad Ward Enterprises,” Ward said. “I knew as a small child that I wanted to continue the family legacy.” Now his …
UF/UGA Corn Silage and Forage Field Day
The 2018 UF/UGA Corn Silage and Forage Field Day will be held in Citra, Florida this Thursday, May 24. The program starts at 8 AM and concludes with field demonstrations after lunch. The event includes a test plot tour along with educational stops that cover topics like pest control, grazing management and forage quality. A discussion concerning alfalfa and grass …
Register Now for Florida Cattlemen’s Convention
If you have yet to register for the 2018 Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Allied Trade Show, then now is the time to do so. The annual event will be held June 19-21 at the Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate. The Trade Show Opening Reception will be Tuesday evening, June 19, while the Cattlemen’s Banquet will be held on Thursday, …
UF Experts: Prepare Your Farm Early for Hurricane Season
It’s the beginning of hurricane season, time for farmers in Florida to worry about potential damage from a storm. Every farm and ranch in Florida must have an emergency plan in case of a hurricane, said a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension director. “The main thing is that farmers need to be prepared to be self-sufficient …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 18, 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 May 18, 2018, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 10,700 head compared …
Florida Ranch Tour Highlights Conservation Programs
Conservation easement programs were discussed Thursday morning during a tour held at Blackbeard’s Ranch in Manatee County. The ranch is restoring and protecting critical wetlands through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). One of those participating in the tour was NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan. He told Southeast AgNet that the project is a partnership effort. …
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans Available in Florida
Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration for March Drought The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Baker and Columbia counties Florida as a result of the drought that began on March 13, 2018. “These counties are …