The 2020-2021 Florida all-orange forecast released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is 56 million boxes, up 2 million boxes from the January forecast. This represents a 4 percent increase from the January forecast. If realized, it will be 17 percent less than last season’s final production. ORANGESThe forecast change was for non-Valencia production, which now stands at 22 …
Florida Crop Progress and Condition Report
According to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the Florida Crop Progress and Condition Report for the first week of February says there were six days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, February 7. Precipitation for the state ranged from trace amounts in many locations to as much as 4.7 inches at Cross City, located in Dixie County. Temperatures in …
‘Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300’ is Saturday
The Florida Beef Council (FBC) is excited about being a part of the big Beef Checkoff promotional race event this week. FBC Director of Education & Promotion DeAnne Maples says they are pleased to have several folks from other states coming in to help during the “Beef It’s What’s For Dinner 300” at the Daytona International Speedway. The “Beef It’s What’s …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 2-5-2021
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended February 5, 2021, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the Week ended February 05, 2021, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 9,200 head compared to 7,996 last week and …
Update on Florida OJ Supply and Demand
In the Feb. 3 Florida Citrus Commission meeting, Marisa Zansler, Florida Department of Citrus director of economic and market research, provided an update on the Florida orange juice (OJ) movement and availability. External trends, such as fruit drop and increased demand during the pandemic, may significantly impact the availability of orange juice throughout the season. Coming into the 2020–21 season, beginning inventory …
Alabama Farmers Welcome Tuberville to Senate Ag Committee
It was announced this week that recently elected U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama was appointed to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed the news. In a release, Federation President Jimmy Parnell praised Tuberville for putting in the work to learn about the issues important to farmers and seeking to be a voice for Alabama agriculture in …
Fried Releases FDACS & Biden Administration Partnership Plan
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, hosted a press conference announcing the release of the FDACS Biden-Harris Administration Partnership Plan: Keeping Florida & America Growing, a state-federal partnership plan. The plan outlines areas of future collaboration between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, The White House, and federal agencies including the U.S. Departments …
Florida Senators Question Governor’s Budget
We told you last week that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had proposed a record 96.6-billion-dollar state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Lawmakers this week started reviewing the proposal and after members of the Senate Appropriations Committee heard a presentation on his proposal, Senate budget chief Kelli Stargel signaled the Senate will take a more conservative approach when it draws up a …
Researchers Help Expand Indoor Gardening Trend Triggered by Pandemic
(UF/IFAS) — COVID-19 led many people to start gardening, and it’s no passing fancy. Recent research shows that about 80% of those who took up gardening since the beginning of COVID-19 will continue the pastime in 2021. Growing in the outdoor garden is one thing. Tending to plants indoors at home presents other challenges and opportunities. As they recognized the …
DeSantis, Cabinet Back North Florida Land Deals
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved proposals to spend about $5.3 million to conserve more than 2,500 acres of land in Santa Rosa and Jefferson counties. The deals include paying $4.3 million to conserve 1,786 acres in Santa Rosa County that is used for hunting and to grow timber. The land, owned by Kingfisher Timber, …