Colin Woodall, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, released the following statement in response to USDA’s decision to withdraw its controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) interim final rule: “This is a victory for America’s cattle and beef producers – and it’s a victory for America’s consumers. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue deserves a great …
Mark Wilson Named 2017 Florida Farmer of the Year
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that Mark Wilson of Greendale Nursery in Homestead, Florida, was recognized as the 2017 Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Florida Farmer of the Year. Since 1990, the Southeastern Ag Expo Farmer of the Year Award has recognized exceptional agricultural practices, innovators, and pioneers from 10 southeastern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, …
USDA Designates 19 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 19 counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 9, 2017, through Sept.12, 2017. Those counties are: Alachua Gilchrist Indian River Monroe Bradford Glades Lake Osceola Broward Hendry Lee Palm Beach Charlotte Highlands Marion Sumter Collier Hillsborough Miami-Dade Farmers …
Newhouse: AG Act a Good Step Forward
Representative Dan Newhouse says while many of the details have yet to be worked out, legislation introduced by Representative Bob Goodlatte is an important first step to address ag’s labor shortage. The Republican from Virginia introduced the American Guestworker Act, or AG Act, which would replace the H-2A program with a new, flexible and market-driven guestworker program designed to meet …
USDA Invests in Research on Next Generation of Agricultural Technology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 17 grants for research on the next generation of agricultural technologies and systems to meet the growing demand for food, fuel, and fiber. The grants are funded through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Technology is front and center …
Pork Producers Applaud Withdraw Of GIPSA Rules
The Trump administration announced it will withdraw regulations related to the buying and selling of livestock, a move strongly commended by the National Pork Producers Council, which opposed the Obama-era rules. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue decided not to move forward with an interim final rule of the so-called Farmer Fair Practices Rules, which was written in 2016 by the U.S. …
More than 2,500 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Okeechobee Ranch Preserved
The Governor and Cabinet approved the preservation of 2,523 acres of environmentally sensitive land within Corona Ranch in Okeechobee County through cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchase is part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, where the state partners with Florida’s …
UF, Invasive Species Centre Draw International Crowd to Invasive Pests Conference
Researchers from around the world will gather at what many consider to be a perfect storm for invasive aquatic plants. With 28 ports of entry and a tropical environment, Florida ranks first among states for invasive species. Thus, 250 scientists from 13 countries will gather at the 20th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species from Oct. 22 to 26 in …
Georgia Grown and Sewn T-Shirts Now Available
The Georgia Cotton Commission, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Grown, unveiled a new line of Georgia Grown T-Shirts grown and sewn locally in Georgia during the 40th Annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. “The Georgia Cotton Commission is proud to work with Commissioner Black (Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black) to showcase the quality cotton …
WOTUS Argued Before the Supreme Court
The pork industry and other ag interests argued before the Supreme Court that now possibly moot lawsuits over the Obama administration Waters of the US. (WOTUS) rule should be handled at the federal district court level, not before an appellate court. The National Pork Producers Council and dozens of other agriculture groups in oral arguments before the high court, say …