From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–In response to the continental United States’ first locally acquired cases of Zika confirmed today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued a statewide mosquito declaration. This mosquito declaration initiates aggressive mosquito control efforts within a minimum 200-yard radius around a locally
USDA Designates 4 Counties in Alabama as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Tennessee
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, July 28, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Blount, Etowah, Limestone and Morgan counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties …
USDA Designates 6 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, July 28, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Cherokee, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett and Murray counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties …
Commissioner Adam Putnam and VISIT FLORIDA Promote Florida Agritourism
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and VISIT FLORIDA today announced a joint effort to highlight Florida’s growing agritourism industry by adding an agritourism feature to VISIT FLORIDA’s Attractions Finder online tool, which allows travelers to identify attractions that best fit their personal preference. This new feature gives …
Florida State Panel Backs Controversial Water Standards
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM TURNER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, July 26, 2016………. A state regulatory panel Tuesday narrowly approved the first changes to Florida’s surface-water quality standards in nearly a quarter-century, despite objections from environmentalists who argued the new criteria potentially create more health hazards.
Water from Lake Okeechobee Discharges
Significant Portion of Water from Lake Okeechobee Discharges Has Been Sent South in 2016 During the ongoing media coverage of the blue-green algae blooms and Lake Okeechobee releases, some individuals have been calling for additional land to be purchased to “send the water south.” According to data made available by the South Florida Water Management District, a significant portion of …
Provisions of Yoho Bill Adopted by the USDA
From the Office of Florida Congressman Ted Yoho: Washington, D.C. – Today, in a victory for Congressman Ted S. Yoho’s (R-FL-03) PAST Act (H.R. 3268) and animal welfare, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced proposed changes to strengthen enforcement of the Horse Protection Act (HPA) and end inhumane practices known as soring. …
Alabama Producers Urged to Test Forages for Nitrate Levels
Nitrate poisoning in cattle is a growing threat across southeastern states battling drought. And according to Dr. Kim Mullenix, Auburn University Extension beef cattle specialist, drought in some areas of the state is increasing the chance for livestock forages to develop elevated nitrate levels. Download Audio
Keeping Beef Competitive in Today’s Marketplace
The marketplace for animal proteins is a very competitive one, and the industry must always remember the consumer is in the driver’s seat. With more on that story, here’s Melissa Jackson. Download Audio
Soy Growers Welcome European Approval of New Biotech Traits
From the American Soybean Association: ST. LOUIS (July 22, 2016) – American Soybean Association (ASA) President and Greenwood, Del., soybean farmer Richard Wilkins welcomed news this morning out of Brussels that the European Union (EU) has approved three outstanding biotech soybean traits for import and processing. The approved traits include the Xtend dicamba-tolerant soybean and Vistive Gold high oleic soybean …