(NAFB) — The Drug Enforcement Agency says it won’t require all labs testing the THC levels of U.S. hemp to be certified by the agency during the 2020 crop year. Politico says that offers producers a little more flexibility because it will alleviate potential bottlenecks at the more limited number of labs that have the certification. Greg Ibach, the Undersecretary …
Cover Crops Play Vital Role in Soil Conservation
(ACES) — Heavy bouts of rainfall and strong storms created the perfect scenario for Alabama producers to talk about the many benefits of planting cover crops during the winter season. Audrey Gamble, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System soil scientist, said the weather throughout winter months in Alabama has allowed for thought-provoking conversations surrounding use of cover crops and off-season land …
E-Verify Issue Starts Moving in House
(NSF) — A party-line vote Thursday on a proposal that would require employers to check the immigration status of new hires is the latest sign that the Republican-dominated Legislature is moving toward giving Gov. Ron DeSantis a win on a campaign promise. The Republican-controlled House Commerce Committee approved a bill that would force all public employers — such as state …
USDA Offers New Hurricane Insurance Endorsement for Crop Year 2020
(USDA/RMA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a new crop insurance endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI). HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or county adjacent, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. The coverage provided by HIP-WI can be combined …
USDA Announces Updates for Honeybee Producers
(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced updates to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). These updates include changes required by the 2018 Farm Bill as well as discretionary changes intended to improve the administration of the program and clarify existing program requirements. “Honeybee producers should pay close attention …
House Members Ready to Take Up E-Verify
(NSF) — As the legislative session dwindles to its final weeks, House members are set Thursday to consider for the first-time a contentious proposal that would mandate employers do immigration checks on new workers. The push to implement E-Verify, a federal system designed to confirm workers’ legal eligibility, has proven to be a whirlwind legislative effort as Gov. Ron DeSantis makes …
Senators Continue Push for Florida Forever Money
(NSF) — Senators pressed forward Tuesday with a proposal that would provide $100 million a year for Florida Forever, as the House and Senate go into budget talks far apart on the land-buying program. The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee backed a proposal (SB 332) by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, that would funnel $100 million annually to …
Alabama Peanut Referendum Vote is April 9
(APPA) — The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) has been certified by the Alabama Board of Agriculture and Industries as the authorized association to conduct a referendum among the peanut producers in the State of Alabama to determine whether or not an assessment shall be collected on all peanuts marketed in Alabama. Notice is hereby given that the referendum will …
NCBA CEO Colin Woodall Speaks At U.S. Chamber Event On Modernizing NEPA
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall spoke at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with the Unlock American Investment Coalition about the need to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This event was held ahead of the White House Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) second hearing tomorrow in Washington D.C. on proposed updates to NEPA. …
USDA Invests in Broadband for Rural Georgia Communities
(USDA/RD) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $5 million investment in two, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 1,221 rural households, 32 pre-subscribed businesses and 20 pre-subscribed farms in McIntosh and Evans counties in Georgia. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of the United States Department of Agriculture’s …