Florida Ranch Rodeo State Finals This Weekend

Dan Cattle, Florida, Florida Cattlemen's Association (FCA)

The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) would like to remind everyone the Ranch Rodeo State Finals and Cowboy Heritage Festival is coming up Friday, September 23 and Saturday September 24 at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Florida. Friday’s events include the Working Cow Dog Competition from 8:00 a.m. until noon, and then the Ranch Rodeo Finals that evening at 7:00. Saturday events include the …

USDA to Conduct a Probe Study

Dan Peanuts, USDA-AMS

The use of high-capacity dump carts during harvest has resulted in thoroughly mixed farmers’ stock peanuts when dumped into the semi-drying trailers in the field. Therefore, variability of official farmers’ stock grade factors is reduced, and the number of probes required to obtain a representative sample can be reduced. Thus, USDA has noted a new study will be conducted in …

Around the State with Commissioner Pate

Dan Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI)

In our weekly ‘Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate’, we talk about the fact  September is National Chicken Month. And Commissioner, why is the poultry industry so important to Alabama? More information is available on the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Facebook page, or go to their website to learn more about other programs. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets …

Beef Industry on LRPA Preemptive vs EPA GHG Regulation

Dan Beef, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

The beef industry says agriculture emissions are not regulated by the Clean Air Act and the bipartisan Livestock Regulatory Protection Act would keep it that way. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) Mary-Thomas Hart concedes, farms and ranches emit methane, ammonia and other pollutants, but from livestock and their waste are less than the Clean Air Act regulates.  “But we know that, …

Florida Ag Commissioner Calls on USTR to Take Action Protecting Florida Farmers from Harm of Decades-long Unfair Foreign Trade Practices

Dan Exports/Imports, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Trade

(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sept. 15, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai in support of the September 8th petition filed by members of Florida’s bipartisan delegation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 requesting the administration conduct an investigation into the flood of imported seasonal and perishable agricultural products from Mexico. Commissioner Fried shared with Ambassador Tai a recent report from the Florida Department of Agriculture …

Deadline Nearing for Partners to Apply for WREP Funding in Georgia

Dan Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to pass along this reminder. They are investing in fiscal 2023 to help conservation partners protect and restore critical wetlands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). NRCS is prioritizing proposals that support efforts to mitigate climate change by restoring wetlands while also prioritizing assistance to underserved communities. But, proposals are due by Sept. 23, …

USDA-NRCS in Florida Announces Local Work Group Meetings

Dan Florida, Labor and Immigration, USDA-NRCS

Florida’s Local Working Group (LWG) meeting schedule for Fiscal Year 2023 has been announced by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The NRCS and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts host the LWG meetings, where input and recommendations are discussed to develop solutions using Farm Bill programs. The LWGs provide recommendations to USDA on criteria for conservation activities and programs, and …

WREP Funding Applications for Partners due Sept 23 in Alabama

Dan Alabama, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind conservation partners in the state that the deadline to apply for fiscal 2023 funding to help protect and restore critical wetlands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) is September 23, 2022. NRCS is prioritizing proposals that support efforts to mitigate climate change by restoring wetlands while also prioritizing assistance to underserved …

APHIS Reviews Genetically-Modified Tomato

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, USDA-APHIS, Vegetables

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed a new tomato variety from Norfolk Plant Sciences. The tomato was modified to alter its color to purple and enhance the nutritional quality. The agency says it found the plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes and is not subject to regulation. …

USDA Announces Its Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement with Georgia?

Dan Georgia, USDA-AMS

(USDA-AMS/WASHINGTON/Sept. 14, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with Georgia under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Through LFPA, the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) seeks to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food from underserved producers. “USDA is excited to partner with …