State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday requested a federal disaster declaration for 17 counties after Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage to farms and ranches. Fried sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture pointing to farm and ranch losses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole …
Contact Florida NRCS before Initiating Hurricane Cleanup
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida continues efforts to assist agricultural producers and landowners affected by Hurricane Ian with disaster recovery. That includes the announcement of early start waivers for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) emergency declaration counties. This will allow key conservation practices to start prior to conservation program contract approval. Florida NRCS State Conservationist, Juan C. Hernandez, is …
Senator Rubio Tours Florida Citrus Groves Damaged by Hurricane Ian
Prior to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) initial citrus forecast presented during a luncheon at Putnam Ranch in Zolfo Springs, Florida, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), joined by Congressional members Kat Cammack (R-FL) and Scott Franklin (R-FL), toured citrus groves devastated by Hurricane Ian. Sen. Rubio explained to AgNet Media what he saw during those tours. And Rubio explained what …
Florida Ag Expo is Less Than a Month Away
While AgNet Media’s thoughts and prayers continue to be with Florida’s agriculture community as it rebuilds and recovers from Hurricane Ian, the company has made the decision to proceed with the Florida Ag Expo as scheduled. The hope is that the Expo will serve as a positive event to bring growers together during this difficult time. And here’s a reminder the event …
Florida Ag Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian May be Eligible for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance
Agricultural producers who suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ian, may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). But, to be eligible, USDA approval is required before producers can begin repair efforts. Deborah Tannebaum, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what land is …
Feds Deny Increased Gopher Tortoise Protections in Florida?
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 11, 2022) — Concluding that the animals are “not in danger of extinction,” federal wildlife officials Tuesday rejected listing gopher tortoises in Florida as endangered or threatened species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a 113-page decision that said gopher tortoises would continue to be considered a threatened species in parts of southwest Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana …
Mosaic Company Announces Hurricane Ian’s Impact on its Fertilizer Producer
The Mosaic Company recently announced that North American Phosphates was negatively impacted by damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Significant flooding and high winds were experienced throughout central Florida during the storm, and this caused modest damage to Mosaic Company facilities and supporting infrastructure. Early assessments indicate phosphate production could be down by approximately 200,000-250,000 metric tons, split roughly evenly between …
North Florida Sending Fencing Supplies to Hurricane Ian Battered Areas
Efforts have been underway the past couple of weeks in the Florida panhandle to put together a truck load of fencing supplies to help producers in Southwest Florida that were affected by Hurricane Ian. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked to Holmes County Farm Bureau President, Jeremy Rolling, about this effort. He says they are now up to 4 semi-loads being …
USDA Expedites Hurricane Ian Disaster Recovery
In order to expedite Hurricane Ian disaster recovery, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced it is issuing early start waivers in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) emergency declaration counties, to allow commencement of key conservation practices prior to conservation program contract approval. Juan C. Hernandez, Florida NRCS State Conservationist, told Southeast AgNet they can provide payments, through conservation program …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 10-07-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended October 07, 2022, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended October 07, 2022, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 16,100 head compared to 13,960 last week and …