The Florida Senate on Thursday (Mar. 3, 2022) unanimously passed a proposal that would create a framework to help expand broadband into underserved areas. Linked bills (SB 1800 and SB 1802), sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, would establish a program to replace poles to help extend broadband. Sen. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat whose district includes sprawling rural areas, …
Florida Lawmakers Hoping to Finalize Budget Issues
As Florida lawmakers continue to finalize many issues in week eight of the Florida Legislative Session, the budget continues to be the major topic of discussion. According to Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs Sam Ard, negotiators from both the House and Senate have been working out some of the high profile spending issues in what is being described as a …
Florida Beef Council Pleased with Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300
The Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300 was run last month at the Daytona International Speedway, and the event was a major promotion for the beef industry. The Florida Beef Council (FBC) was of course very involved in the overall event and FBC Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman it went fantastic. For more information about this and other Beef Checkoff …
Florida Pesticide Applicators Can Now Take Licensing Exams Online
(UF-IFAS/GAINESVILLE, Fl/Feb. 28, 2022) — In Florida, pesticide licensing exams help ensure the state’s approximately 70,000 pesticide applicators follow state regulations and best practices for mitigating the impact of chemicals on the environment. Historically, the exam has only been offered in person at pre-scheduled times. The UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office has announced that applicators will now have the option of …
Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 02-25-2022
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended February 25, 2022, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ending February 25, 2022, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 9,500 head compared to 13,753 last week and …
Florida Lawmakers Still Dealing with the Budget
Seven weeks of the Florida Legislative Session have passed, but no allocations have been given to the sub-committee chairs just yet. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what this means for the budget process with just two weeks left in the session. The 60 day Florida Legislative session is scheduled to end March 11th. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement …
A Methodical and Safe Approach to Help Florida Citrus
Florida’s farmers depend on healthy soil and clean water to produce crops. It’s how my family has grown citrus, strawberries and cattle for more than four generations. The quality of our natural resources has a direct impact on our crops and livelihood. I am a fifth-generation Floridian who was raised by a line of farmers, ranchers and businesspeople. All of …
Environmental Changes Teed Up for Florida Budget Talks
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 22, 2022) — A controversial environmental bill the Senate massaged last week after outcries from Everglades activists, fishing guides and Gov. Ron DeSantis is ready to become part of budget talks with the House. With little comment, the House on Tuesday, took up the bill (SB 2508) and nine other Senate measures and positioned them for negotiations that will …
Florida Beef Council Working to Engage Producers
For the past few weeks, the Florida Beef Council (FBC) has been busy putting the final touches on the huge Beef Checkoff promotional event, the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300”. The race took place this past Saturday at the Daytona International Speedway, where the FBC teamed up with the Federation of State Beef Councils and staff from other state beef councils …
New Sentinel Landscape in Florida to Strengthen Military Readiness
The Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, comprised of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Interior (DOI) has announced three new areas designated as sentinel landscapes. These are areas where natural and working lands thrive alongside military installations and ranges, and play a key role in strengthening the nation’s military readiness while addressing natural resources concerns …