AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-September 18, 2019) — Farmers and producers in 25 Alabama counties affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019 can apply for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) beginning Sept. 11. “Alabama agriculture has taken some body blows over the last two years from extreme weather,” said Jessica …
2020 Alabama Hemp Program Update
MONTGOMERY, AL (ADAI-September 17, 2019) – The Alabama Hemp program launched in the beginning of 2019, after the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (i.e. Farm Bill) declassified hemp as a schedule 1 drug and deemed hemp as an agriculture commodity. This legislation defines hemp as all parts of the plant containing less than 0.3% THC, including derivatives, extracts, and cannabinoids. …
Florida Eyes Washington on Hemp Rules
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-September 17, 2019) — Florida farmers might not be held back from planting hemp next year even if the federal government has not signed off on long-awaited rule changes. Holly Bell, Florida’s director of cannabis, told the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that, if all goes well, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ permitting for hemp …
NPPC Welcomes New Swine Inspection System
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPPC-Sept. 17, 2019) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) finalized its New Swine Inspection System (NSIS). “We applaud the USDA for introducing a new inspection system that incentivizes investment in new technologies while ensuring a safe supply of wholesome American pork,” said National Pork Producers Council President David Herring, a producer from Lillington, …
USDA Modernizes Swine Slaughter Inspection for the First Time in Over 50 Years
WThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a final rule to modernize swine slaughter inspection and bring it into the 21st century. For the first time in more than five decades, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is modernizing inspection at market hog slaughter establishments with a goal of protecting public health while allowing for food safety innovations. “This …
Biosolids Produce Less Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff than Inorganic Fertilizer
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-September 17, 2019) — New research from University of Florida scientists found that some nutrients from inorganic fertilizers enter surface water more easily than those from biosolids. Maria Silveira, a professor in the UF/IFAS department of soil and water sciences, led the study that collected runoff from a common pasture grass to determine its nitrogen and phosphorus content. …
FDACS Launches Rebranded Website, FDACS.gov
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the launch of FDACS.gov, the department’s new, modernized website. A bunch of experienced jewelry web designers are expected to monitor. The rebranding aims to increase awareness about the department’s broad responsibilities in both agriculture and consumer services, and help Floridians access information and services easier. …
Arguments in Water Battle Rescheduled
(NAfter Florida attorneys asked for a change, a federal judge has rescheduled arguments for Nov. 7 in a long-running legal battle between Florida and Georgia about water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. Senior U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Paul J. Kelly, who was appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to serve as a special master in the case, originally …
Secretary Perdue on Farm Safety Week
Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 16, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded President Trump’s proclamation making September 15-21, 2019 National Farm Safety and Health Week. The theme for this year’s National Farm Safety & Health Week is “Shift Farm Safety into High Gear” as a reminder that it is everyone’s responsibility to prioritize safety on the farm and the rural roadways …
NPPC Statement on China Market Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPPC-Sept. 13, 2019) — Chinese media reported that it was suspending the imposition of punitive tariffs on U.S. pork imports. The following is a statement from National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President David Herring, a pork producer from Lillington, N.C.: “If media reports are accurate, this is a most welcome development. The Chinese have placed punitive tariffs of …