The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced funding available to research new, environmentally-friendly pesticides, and innovative tools and strategies to replace methyl bromide, an older treatment for pests. The Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) program is helping to discover and implement practical and safer pest management alternatives. Projects may focus on integrated research and extension activities …
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(AgNet Media, Inc., Gainesville, November 14, 2017) — Over the past year, vegetable and specialty crop growers in the Southeast have come to rely on the VSCNews website and weekly e-newsletter for the news and research updates they need. Soon, growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama will have another source for this valuable information. Due to the popularity of the …
Perdue Announces Hass Avocado Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 12 individuals to serve on the Hass Avocado Board. Producers appointed to serve three-year terms are: Susan V. Pinkerton, Santa Paula, Calif. Laurie M. Luschei, Mission Viejo, Calif. Ben Van Der Kar, Carpinteria, Calif. Producers appointed to serve three-year terms as alternates are: C J Shade, Ojai, Calif. Will Carleton, Carpinteria, Calif. …
Farm Bureau Seeks Full Withdrawal of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau thanks Secretary Perdue for delaying the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. The health and well-being of livestock is a top priority for all farmers and ranchers. We work with a host of specialists, from animal scientists to nutritionists, to manage our farms …
Some Good News for Corn in the Latest USDA WASDE Report
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated a corn crop for 2017 higher than U.S. farmers have ever realized, coming in with a whopping 175.4 bushels to acre average. That would equate to a record 14.578 billion bushels of corn harvested this year. The yield guess was significantly higher than analysts like Mike Zuzolo from Global Commodity Analytics was …
Agriculture Watching NAFTA Talks Closely
The NAFTA renegotiations provide an opportunity to improve agricultural trade across partner countries. However, recent rhetoric and delays in the renegotiation are giving way to rising concerns over the trade deal’s future. Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst says U.S. agriculture depends on NAFTA. He says recent rhetoric regarding trade is troubling to farmers, especially after Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, …
Perdue Comments on Canada Dairy Issue
The topic of Canada’s Class 7 milk pricing program came up during a news conference with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue during the NAFB Convention last week in Kansas City, Missouri. Perdue says the new program is using supply management with a quota. Perdue says that he doesn’t expect Canada to end its supply management program, but says they need to …
Perdue: NAFTA Renegotiation to Benefit Agriculture
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the purpose of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement is to help the entire U.S. economy, including agriculture. Speaking recently to agricultural journalist, Perdue offered these comments regarding NAFTA. Additionally, Purdue says the Administration favors bilateral trade agreements. In the end, he says, is that the U.S. is looking for simple, fair reciprocity. From the …
UF/IFAS CALS Student Places First in International Graduate Student Competition
Debalina Saha, an environmental horticulture graduate assistant at the University of Florida, has always wanted to study how different mulches and herbicides affect weed growth. Her tenacity has paid off: Saha placed first in the International Plant Propagation Society Southern Region graduate student research competition at its 42nd annual conference. “Measuring light under different mulch depths was something that had …
Still Lobbying for Estate Tax Elimination
The advancing House and Senate tax reform bills differ on estate tax elimination but are similar on expensing, pass-through income, and other provisions important for agriculture. The House bill expected on the floor this week has key differences with its Senate counterpart on corporate and personal taxes, including those of keen interest to agriculture. The House phases out the estate …