Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are celebrating the benefits of Florida’s more than 17 million acres of forests during Florida’s third annual Working Forests Week, which is Oct. 15 through Oct. 21. A working forest includes publicly or privately owned lands where sustainable production of timber is balanced with promoting healthy populations of …
Farmers May Get Loans to Help With Irma Damage
Florida farmers in 44 counties may be eligible for federal loans to help cover damage inflicted by Hurricane Irma, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced. Still, Florida might have to wait months for broader federal assistance to the agriculture industry, which sustained more than $2.5 billion in losses from the storm. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue notified Gov. Rick …
Researchers Request Grower Feedback
By Jaci Shreckengost Researchers at the University of Florida’s West Florida Research and Education Center (WFREC) are working to solve pest management issues with field crops. Silvana Paula-Moraes, an entomologist and professor at WFREC, said there are multiple projects, including grower surveys and pest trapping, to gain better knowledge of the pest issues Florida growers face. These projects will help …
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: October is Farm-to-School Month
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam speaks on the importance of healthy school lunches and the role Florida’s farmers play in providing fresh, wholesome food to local schools. You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Putnam Comments After USDA Issues Disaster Declaration for 19 Florida Counties
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a natural disaster declaration for 19 Florida counties due to agricultural damage caused by Hurricane Irma: “I thank U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for taking action to support Florida’s farmers and ranchers still picking up the pieces from Hurricane Irma. Our …
Farmers Could Get Irma Related Tax Breaks
Farmers could receive tax breaks on equipment damaged by Hurricane Irma and on fuel, under a proposal by Rep. Matt Caldwell, a North Fort Myers Republican who is running for agriculture commissioner next year. With the agriculture industry facing $2.5 billion in projected losses from Irma, Caldwell rolled out the proposal this week to offer cuts in Florida’s tangible personal …
Weekly Livestock Market Report
Here are the Alabama, Florida, and Georgia livestock market reports for the week ended October 13, 2017, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ended October 13, 2017, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 12,300 head compared to 14,874 last week and 18,124 …
Florida Senate Agriculture Committee Meets to Discuss Hurricane Damage
The Florida Senate Agriculture Committee held a meeting this morning in Tallahassee to discuss damage from Hurricane Irma. Led by chairwoman Denise Grimsley, the committee listened to growers, and industry leaders from different agriculture sectors, as they explained the damage on their own farms and farms across the state. The meeting featured two sets of panels of fruit and vegetable …
Southern Region October Crop Production
The Southern Region October Crop Production has Corn production in the United States is forecast at 14.3 billion bushels, down 6 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of October 1, yields are expected to average 171.8 bushels per acre. Soybean production is forecast at a record high 4.43 billion bushels, up 3 percent from last year. All cotton …
Florida NRCS Providing Help after Hurricanes
If your farm or ranch suffered damage from the recent hurricanes, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind you they can help. State Conservation Engineer Jason Strenth said financial and technical assistance for various projects may be available through their Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP). Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, …