(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/August 9, 2023) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson addressed a letter to local governments reminding them of the new provision in State Law prohibiting counties from levying special assessments on agricultural lands. Read the letter below and here. August 9, 2023 Greetings, As Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, my top priority is to ensure that Florida agriculture continues …
Mitigating Needle Blight: A Growing Economic Threat to Pine Forests
Pine forests and industrial wood plantations in the Southeast are crucial for the region’s economic sustainability. And due to this, there are many concerns right now with mitigating needle blight. Tim Albritton, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state staff forester in Alabama explains what they are finding their state. Some easily viewed symptoms may appear as chlorosis (yellowing), brown-red spots/bands, and needle …
Large Pork Producers Don’t Favor Overturning Prop 12
Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would overturn California’s Prop 12. Reuters says some of the country’s biggest pork producers who’ve already spent money to comply with the California requirements don’t favor throwing out Prop 12. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would curb states’ ability to regulate agricultural products sold within their borders. The bill was introduced …
Busy August for Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
There are a variety of things keeping the staff at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) busy throughout the year. But as ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley notes, August started off busy and it continues this week. For more information, contact the ACA office in Montgomery at 334-265-1867. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers …
NCBA President Slams Regulatory Onslaught by Biden Agencies
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson recently slammed administration overregulation during a recent NCBA Beltway Beef podcast. Wilkinson says Biden agencies from the EPA to the Bureau of Land Management are trying to take away the cattle industry’s freedoms. He cites recent EPA statements that it can make minor changes to its Waters of the U.S. rule after the …
GPC Continues Sponsorship of No. 38 Car
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission’s (GPC) continued sponsorship of NASCAR driver Todd Gilliland and his No. 38 car is a win for Georgia’s peanut industry and race attendees. It has churned up support for Georgia agriculture with Gilliland driving the Georgia peanuts car, but it has also left attendees salivating for more of those tasty peanuts at the …
NMPF’s Galen on FDA’s Draft Plant-Based Labeling Guidance
Last week the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said the plant-based beverage proposal from the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “falls woefully short of ending the decades-old problem of misleading plant-based labeling using dairy terminology.” Chris Galen, NMPF’s senior vice president of membership services and strategic initiatives, explains why during a Dairy Radio Now podcast. NMPF submitted comments to FDA last …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In our weekly “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, filling in for the Commissioner this week is Farmers Market Authority Director Don Wambles. Don, farmers markets are located at various points across the state, but for someone interested, where can they find them. Learn more on the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) website. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide …
USDA Partnership Delivers on Protecting Agricultural Resources
Feral swine is an issue not only here in the Southeast, but across other parts of the country too. And it has been five years since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched their Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP). It is designed to help agricultural producers and private landowners combat the costly impacts of feral swine. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
Cotton Growers Need to Communicate Needs with Extension Agents, Specialists
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Extension Cotton Team advise growers to stay in contact with their local Extension agent and state specialists as the production season winds down. This year’s crop is at least 10 days behind, which means producers need to be vigilant in maintaining their crop’s needs through the next couple of …