(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) issued the following statement in response to U.S. Representative David Scott (GA-13) being nominated by the Democratic Steering Committee to become the next Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee: “Congressman Scott is a devoted friend of America’s cattle producers and I congratulate him on being selected by his colleagues to lead the …
Deadline Approaching for Farmers and Ranchers Impacted by COVID-19
FSA Staff Standing by to Help (USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers to apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) by Dec. 11, 2020. This program provides direct relief to producers facing market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. “With over 300 eligible commodities, from livestock …
APHIS Reopens Comment Period on Request to Produce FMD Vaccine
(USDA/APHIS) — In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) sought public comment on a petition from a vaccine manufacturer seeking approval to produce foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine consisting of a modified non-infectious and non-transmissible strain of the virus on the U.S. mainland. Today (12/1/2020), APHIS is reopening the comment period for …
APHIS Announces Farm Bill Funding to Protect Animal Health
(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding $14.4 million to 76 projects with states, universities, and other partners to strengthen our programs to protect animal health. This critical funding supports projects focused on increasing practical livestock biosecurity measures or advancing rapid depopulation and disposal abilities to be used during high- …
White Strawberry One of Two New UF/IFAS Varieties Ready for Harvest Season
(UF/IFAS) — A white strawberry? Not red? Yes, you “read” that right. And it smells a little like a pineapple. It’s also novel in that it’s the first white strawberry to go to market in the United States. Just in time for the west-central Florida strawberry harvesting season, which runs from now until the end of March, UF/IFAS is releasing …
USDA to Conduct 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey
(USDA/NASS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, beginning this December. First conducted in 2015, this Census of Agriculture special study will look at local and regional food systems and provide new data on how locally grown food in the United States are marketed and sold. …
FDACS Encourages Producers Impacted by Tropical Storm Eta to Seek USDA Disaster Assistance
(FDACS) — With Tropical Storm Eta’s flooding and high winds impacting Florida agricultural operations, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is encouraging farmers and livestock producers to seek technical and financial assistance available from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As agricultural producers assess damages, they should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program …
Commission to Consider Oyster Harvesting Ban
(NSF) — Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be asked on Dec. 16 to finalize the suspension of wild-oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay for the next five years. The issue, which will be part of a two-day online commission meeting, stems from efforts to improve the oyster population and revitalize the collapsed fishery. Commissioners on July …
USDA Updates Conservation Standards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards, which include 58 standards that have been updated or revised since August. According to Acting NRCS Chief, Kevin Norton, those standards cover a wide range of practices including irrigation water management. He notes that USDA’s conservation efforts include a …
Renewable Fuels Association on Gas-Generated Electricity
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has long been a prominent advocate for the use of renewable energy sources to create a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy future. In recent years, the association has turned its attention to gas-generated electricity provided by different companies similar to Michigan Quality Electric, examining its role in the transition to a cleaner energy landscape. This …