Statement by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack on Latest Quarterly Export Forecasts for 2016 and 2017

From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement on the first forecast for U.S. agricultural exports for fiscal year 2017 and a revised forecast for fiscal year 2016. Both forecasts indicate U.S. agricultural exports have begun to rally and will continue the record-setting pace that began in 2009. …

FAA’s New Rules for UAS Start Monday

The Federal Aviation Administration’s new operational rules for routine commercial use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) become effective Monday, August 29. And Joe Morra, a manager within the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, said this is only the first operational rule to be released, as there will be more. But he had advice for farmers who Sponsored ContentVerdant …

Legal Challenges Mount over New Water Standards in Florida

FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM SAUNDERS THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, August 24, 2016………. After the Seminole Tribe of Florida launched a legal challenge earlier in the month, the city of Miami and a paper-mill industry group also are taking aim at controversial new state water-quality standards. Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through …

Glades Lives Matter Opposes Negron Land Buying Plan

From Glades Lives Matter: Wednesday, Hendry County Commissioner Janet Taylor led 50 residents from the Glades community to Senator Joe Negron’s, Martin County office. The group drove over an hour and a half to the incoming president’s office to let him know that they were sick and tired of elected officials playing politics with their livelihoods. Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers …

UF/IFAS Research Looking at Artichokes as an Alternative Crop

Some citrus growers have been looking at alternative crops to grow, and one crop that researchers are looking at is artichokes. University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, Dr. Jack Payne, says IFAS researcher Shinsuke Agehara is getting good results from his field trials. Download Audio Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …

Florida NRCS Invites Landowners to Learn More about EQIP

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants producers to know that a sign-up is underway for 2017 funding. Lisa Harper, district conservationist for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, says this is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Download Audio Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …

An Update on Zika in Florida

From Adam Putnam, Commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Friends, Officials recently confirmed that local transmission of Zika is occurring in two small areas in Miami-Dade County and announced an investigation into a non-travel related case in Pinellas County. This week, I joined Governor Scott in Miami-Dade County to meet with local leaders and residents in …

Presidential Candidates and Agriculture

The presidential candidates are largely at odds over key issues that affect farming and rural America. Hillary Clinton has said she would continue to spend money on commodity payments, crop insurance and disaster aid for family farms that need help in disasters or other tough times. Donald Trump is expected out with specifics on his farm policy in the coming …

Peanut Crop Rating Slightly Below Last Year

USDA’s weekly crop progress report indicates the U.S. peanut crop is rated slightly below where it was this same week last year. Tyron Spearman has the details. Download Audio Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages …

Food Bloggers Learn about Florida Beef Industry

The Florida Beef Checkoff was busy this past weekend working with a group of food bloggers. In this week’s beef checkoff report, Ashley Hughes with the Florida Beef Council said she was pleased with the event. Download Audio Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers …