Florida Lawmakers to Vote on Budget Today

Florida Lawmakers did close on the state’s budget deal last Wednesday, but it wasn’t until Friday afternoon that it was finally released. But that was good enough to allow time for the 72-hour budget “cooling off” period required by the Constitution so the vote can take place this afternoon on what should be the final day of the 2017 Florida …

Rising Drought and Wildfire Concerns in Florida

The threat of wildfire this month in Florida may be on the rise as drought coverage in the state is also increasing. Rod Bain has more.     Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted …

Florida’s Northern Bobwhite Quail Decline

The Bobwhite Quail in Florida is in trouble. In fact, populations across Florida and throughout the southeastern U.S. have dropped from an estimated 31 million to only 5.5 million in the past 50 years. That’s 80 percent of the population just gone. But through a special 2017 sign up ending May 19, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in …

Budget on Track For Monday Approval

by Brandon Larrabee The News Service of Florida Lawmakers closed in on an elusive budget deal Wednesday, even as Gov. Rick Scott ramped up criticism of the spending plan as he toured the state. House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, announced Wednesday morning that the two chambers have agreed in principle on how …

UF Faculty Help Keep Palm Trees Part of Florida’s Fabric

by Brad Buck University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences When you come to Florida, you anticipate seeing palm trees. They’re part of the Florida landscape – whether they’re native or imported. They also bring in hundreds of millions of dollars a year in sales alone, so Monica Elliott has worked for more than 30 years to make …

Florida Rep Boyd on Tax Exemptions

  During the 2017 Florida Legislative Session, some in agriculture had been closely watching the tax package. Southeast AgNet Tallahassee Intern, Josie Tomkow, caught up with Representative Jim Boyd, who talks about something that was included in that package.       Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

UF Project to Select the Best Brahman Genes

by Brad Buck, University of Florida/IFAS With help from cattle producers through the Florida Cattle Enhancement Fund, UF/IFAS researchers hope to develop Brahman cattle that can tolerate heat better, produce more tender meat and improve their fertility. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers would like Brahman cattle owners from around Florida to participate in the project. …

Florida Beef Council Chairman Pleased with Checkoff

The Florida Beef Council continues to look at various ways producer dollars can be used in the state to help promote the industry. The new chairman of the council is Flint Johns from Okeechobee.   Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm …

66th Annual Florida Beef Cattle Short Course Starts Wednesday

The University of Florida IFAS department of animal sciences is hosting the 66th Annual Florida Beef Cattle Short Course this week in Gainesville. It starts Wednesday and runs through Friday at the Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center. Both small and large beef producers are invited to hear experts discuss hot topics and current research related to the beef industry. …