Florida Lawmakers to Vote Friday on Budget

Florida lawmakers are scheduled to vote Friday afternoon on a record $101.5 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year and end the regular legislative session on time. According to the News Service of Florida, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, announced that the budget went to lawmakers at 12:06 p.m. Tuesday, starting a legally required 72-hour “cooling off” period before …

University of Florida Students Learn about Preparing Beef

During a special class, some University of Florida students recently had a chance to learn more about beef cuts and dishes. Florida Beef Council (FBC) Director of Education & Promotion, DeAnne Maples, says they also had a chance to grill a steak. For more information about Beef Checkoff activities in the state, contact the FBC office in Kissimmee or go to their …

USDA Awards New Partnership Project in Florida

USDA will be investing $330 million in 85 locally driven, public-private partnerships, including the “Surface to Springs” project in Florida. Projects are awarded through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The program’s goal is to address climate change, improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. The U.S. …

Cotton, Peanut Planting Underway

While the recent cool, wet weather hampered the start to planting season across the Southeast, both cotton and peanut seed are going in the ground. According to the weekly report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), planting progress is fairly even with what has been normal over the past five years. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says …

Final Week of Florida Legislative Session

This is the final week of the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, as it is scheduled to end Friday, April 30. Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, has more information about the “Right to Farm” legislation that was passed and sent to the Governor last week, the budget process which should wrap up soon, and he discusses the possibility …

Florida Right to Farm Bill Awaits Governor’s Signature

Just hours after the Florida House gave final approval Thursday, a bill that would expand legal protections for farmers was sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis. According to the News Service of Florida, the House voted 110-7 to support expanding the state’s “Right to Farm” law, a top priority of Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby. The Senate passed the bill (SB …

Crop Progress Across the Southeast

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently started issuing its weekly crop progress reports. For the week that ended April 18, NASS reports in Alabama, there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork; in Florida 6.3 days; while in Georgia, there were 6.1 days.. Corn planted in Alabama was at 60%, which compares to 59% last year and the 5-year …

Weather Hasn’t Been Conducive for Planting Peanuts in Florida

When USDA released its 2021 Planting Intentions Report in March, it noted there will be 2% less acres going to peanuts this year than what we saw in 2020. In Florida, acreage for peanuts was estimated at 180,000 acres, which is actually up 3% from last year. But in a phone conversation with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, Florida Peanut Producers Association …

Two Weeks Left in Florida Legislative Session

There are only two weeks remaining in the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, and according to the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Cattlemen’s Association, Sam Ard, things are moving along pretty well for the ag community. Day 60 and the scheduled end to the Florida Legislative Session is April 30. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board …