From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Two of Florida’s biggest rivals, the Florida State Seminoles and the Florida Gators, are competing on and off the field to highlight Florida’s farmers, ranchers and fishermen. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the official sponsor of …
Vilsack Pleased with Risk Management and Safety Net Programs
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to farm broadcasters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention last week in Kansas City. He looked back on his years in the office saying risk management is much more farmer-friendly after his eight years in the office. Download Audio Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, …
Obama Administration Giving up on Lame-Duck TPP Vote
As expected, the outgoing Obama administration is throwing in the towel regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. DTN reports the White House will not seek a vote on the agreement during the lame duck session of Congress. Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress told the White House they would not advance the trade deal in the Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement …
Report Warns of Water Woes Unless Changes are Made in Florida
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By LLOYD DUNKELBERGER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, November 15, 2016………. An additional 15 million Florida residents by 2070 could increase the demand for water by more than 50 percent, with a third of the state being paved over and a noticeable decline in agricultural land, according to a new report. However, with modest water-conservation efforts …
Historic Babcock Ranch Preserve in Operation and Open to Public
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Babcock Ranch Preserve in Charlotte County begins a new chapter in its rich history as it becomes the largest state-owned working cattle ranch to be managed by a private cattle company while expanding public recreational opportunities, including: hiking, biking, horseback riding and ranch tours. When Babcock Ranch was purchased …
Growing Olives in Florida
Could olives be the next big thing for citrus producers? The Hardee County Industrial Development Authority (HCIDA) has started a new venture to facilitate diversity in agriculture production in light of citrus greening. Bill Lambert, director of economic development in Hardee County, says they have a 264-acre tract of land, with a majority of acreage set aside for industrial development. …
Managing Cattle in Drought Conditions
Southeast cattle producers are invited to an important workshop November 28 in Carrollton, Georgia titled “Managing Cattle in Drought Conditions”. A very good lineup of presenters will be on hand that evening from 5:30 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. at the Carroll County AG Center and a meal will be served. To learn more click here. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Florida Ranchers Take Part in BQA Training Event
We’ve talked various times about BQA, the Beef Quality Assurance program, and its importance to the industry. Beef producers across the country are encouraged to take part in the BQA certification process, and that’s exactly what a group of ranchers in Florida did recently. In our weekly beef checkoff report, Ashley Hughes with the Florida Beef Council explains how a …
USDA Data Shows Number of Midsize Farms Declining
New data from the Department of Agriculture shows the number of midsized farms is declining. The USDA Economic Research Service found midsized farms declined by five percent between 1992 and 2012, to about 125,000. Midsize operations are defined as those with gross cash farm income between $350,000 and $1 million. USDA attributed the decline partly due to Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle …
Farm Sector Financial Stress Still Climbing
Financial stress in the farm sector is continuing to make a slow and steady climb. The stress continued to rise in the third quarter as income in the farm sector stayed low. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Ag Credit Survey says producers are expending more working capital to meet financial obligations because of continued weakness in both the …