Seven Counties in Florida Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Weather

Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Calhoun, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Madison and Washington counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 9, 2017, through Sept. 12, 2017. Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties of Bay, Gadsden, Gulf, Hamilton, Lafayette, …

Weekly Livestock Market Report

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended February 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-February 02, 2018, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 9,900 head compared to …

EPA Administrator Pruitt Talks Environmental Outcomes Across the State of Florida

Randall Weiseman Florida, Industry News Release, Water

TALLAHASSEE, FLA  – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt traveled across Florida and met with stakeholders to discuss environmental goals and protections. “The Sunshine State is a vital provider of American agriculture, energy and manufacturing, and it’s essential we hear directly from rural Floridians,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Today’s dialogue is particularly important as we focus …

The Status of Hurricane Relief Funding

Randall Weiseman Florida, Weather

Florida growers are still reeling from the impacts of Hurricane Irma, which hit the state back in September 2017. Florida citrus took the biggest hit, with an estimation of approximately $760 million in damages. Since Irma, growers have been anxiously waiting on disaster relief funding so they can begin to rebuild. During the recent Taste of Florida reception in Tallahassee, …

Third Democrat Emerges for Agriculture Commissioner

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

The race to replace term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam continues to get more crowded. Tallahassee Democrat Thomas Clayton White Jr. opened a campaign account this week to run in November for the Cabinet post, becoming the third Democrat — and sixth overall candidate — to take the step, according to the state Division of Elections website. White’s filing came after …

Florida Cattle Industry Concerned with ELD’s

Dan Cattle, Florida

Cattlemen and women from across the Southeast are meeting with other producers from around the country in Phoenix, Arizona this week for the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Florida Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President, Jim Handley, says one issue of importance being discussed are ELD’s, electronic logging devices. Something he says they are extremely concerned about. Florida …

The Top 3 Things on Florida Farm Bureau’s Legislative Plate

Randall Weiseman Florida, Legislative

The Florida Farm Bureau held its legislative days in Tallahassee this week, where it advocated for an “Ag Strong” legislative agenda. Adam Basford, director of legislative affairs for Florida Farm Bureau, was pleased with the turnout at this year’s events. Sporting “Ag Strong” pins, nearly 200 members of the Florida Farm Bureau made appointments with their legislators to advocate for …

Hoping to Amend Law Protecting Florida Cattle Industry

Dan Cattle, Florida

This week during the Florida legislative session, a step was taken to amend a law designed to help protect those in the state’s cattle industry. Florida Cattlemen’s Association Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains. Hoping to Amend Law Protecting Florida Cattle Industry Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida …

FDACS Looks Toward More Funding

Randall Weiseman Florida, Legislative

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is looking toward additional funding this legislative session for the Fresh from Florida program. The program suffered a decrease in funding last year from $13 million to $6 million. Now, they are looking toward $5 million more in general revenue funding to make up for the loss. The Florida Farm Bureau held …

UF/IFAS Rethinking Forest Protection; Hosts UN Expert as Lecturer

Dan Florida, Forestry, Industry News Release

With trees, we enjoy healthier air, shade, a way to store carbon, economic opportunities and much more. Without them, we could wind up with a devastated ecosystem and much lost revenue, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers say. In fact, Florida’s forest industry generated $12.5 billion in sales in 2016, according to recent UF/IFAS economic research. …