China Trade Standstill More Bad News for Farmers

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Trade

The following statement is fromAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “China’s announcement that it will not buy any agricultural products from the United States is a body blow to thousands of farmers and ranchers who are already struggling to get by. “In the last 18 months alone, farm and ranch families have dealt with plunging commodity prices, awful weather …

Soy Flour Could Replace Petroleum-Based Adhesives in Wood Component Manufacturing

Dan Alabama, Forestry, Industry News Release, Soybeans

AUBURN, Ala. (AU/SFWS) – Soy flour could soon replace petroleum—at least in adhesives used in the manufacturing of particleboard. Professor Brian Via of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences has obtained a patent that will allow soy flour to replace petroleum-based adhesives traditionally utilized to manufacture wood components in particleboard, an engineered wood product commonly used in …

Commissioner Nikki Fried on China Halting U.S. Agricultural Imports

Dan Exports/Imports, Florida, Industry News Release

Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – The Chinese government announced it will halt purchases of U.S. agricultural products, in response to President Donald Trump’s escalation of his trade war with China. Financial markets reacted with shock, calling it “massive…on a scale of 1 to 10, it’s an 11.” Earlier this year, China imposed 25 percent tariffs on many American agricultural products, which has been devastating …

Nearly $13 Million in Loans Awarded to Florida Agricultural Producers

Dan Economy, Florida, Industry News Release

Governor Ron DeSantis announced nearly $13 million has been awarded through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for agricultural producers. More than 70 applications have been approved from farmers in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties. “We remain committed to utilizing all available resources to help Floridians continuing to …

UF Offers New Horticultural Therapy Course with Certificate Program to Follow

Dan Education, Florida, Industry News Release

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UF/CALS) – As a junior psychology major at the University of Florida, Emily Fradet looked for ways to gain more hands-on experience in clinical psychology, counseling and therapy treatment of patients. She stumbled upon a new fall 2019 introductory course in horticultural therapy while searching for intriguing electives. “I’m interested in alternative forms of therapy, so I thought …

Senators Introduce Legislation to Redefine WOTUS

Dan Industry News Release, Water

(NAFB) — Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mike Braun of Indiana introduced the Define WOTUS Act last week. Feedstuffs Dot Com says the legislation will codify a definition of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule and reassert Congressional authority to define the term. Ernst says the Obama-era rule threatened Iowa’s farmers, manufacturers, and small businesses by giving the …

More Trade Negotiations Not Tariffs

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Trade

(NAFB) — President Trump’s planned new tariff on all remaining Chinese exports to the U.S. is not going over well with American agriculture, despite the patience of many in farming with the tariff war, so far. A new 10 percent tariff on all remaining $300 billion in China’s exports to the U.S. will start September first because China gave no …

Young Farmers Cultivate Success In Statewide Contests

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release

(ALFA) — Young farmers cultivated success — and scored more than $80,000 in prizes — during contests at the Alabama Farmers Federation’s 47th Commodity Producers Conference in Chattanooga Aug. 3. Luke Smelley won the 2019 Outstanding Young Farm Family (OYFF) competition. Judges visited his Hale County catfish, cattle and hay farm this summer, after finalists were named in March. Smelley …

State Revives Red Tide Task Force

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Water

(NSF) — A task force focused on red tide outbreaks along the Gulf Coast has been reorganized within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the revised panel, tasked with studying the causes of red tide, during a press conference Friday at the SandBar Tiki & Grille in Englewood. The panel, comprised of researchers and scientists, …