This week in our “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Assistant Commissioner Bob Plaster fills in for Commissioner Pate. Bob, I understand you hosted a listening session last week. What was it all about? Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm …
Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports in February; Beef Exports Below Year-Ago
U.S. pork exports remained strong in February, seeing double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value. But, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), beef exports were lower year-over-year despite improvement from the low totals posted in January. February pork exports totaled 219,729 metric tons (mt), up 11% from a …
Georgia Cotton Commission Approves ’24 Research
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s approved funding for research conducted for the 2024 season at the University of Georgia speaks volumes about its commitment to the long-term sustainability of cotton in Georgia. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, discussed the funding which was approved during its March board meeting. “They decided to allocate $740,609 for …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Appointment of Rick Dolan as Director of the Florida Forest Service
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of Rick Dolan as State Forester and Director of Florida Forest Forest, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “I am pleased to announce Rick Dolan as our new Florida Forest Service Director. With his decades of experience, and proven leadership and emergency management skills, I am …
Latest Efforts in Meat and Poultry Labeling
USDA’s announcement of clearer definitions of Product of USA labels for meat, poultry, and egg products is the latest in a series of attempts to create and define such a labeling class. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Extends Signup for IRA-Funded Conservation Programs
State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph has extended the recently announced sign-ups for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that utilize funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These signups that utilize IRA funding to provide direct climate mitigation benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In our weekly “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Commissioner, I understand vultures have had an impact on Alabama’s livestock. Can you tell us a little about the issues they are causing? Learn more about these new permits on the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up …
Florida Lawmakers Discussing TEAM Card
During week four of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, some discussions by lawmakers centered around what is being called the TEAM card, Tax Exempt Ag Materials. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains where this idea came from, and how it would work if passed. To learn more, contact the FCA office in Kissimmee. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …
Senate Passes Resolution Overturning Biden Administration’s WOTUS Rule
The U.S. Senate passed the Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval that overturns the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule by a 53-43 vote. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.VA.), ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, introduced the resolution in February. The administration introduced a new rule in December 2022 that repealed the Navigable …
NRCS Refines Nutrient Management Strategies
For decades, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has supported producers and landowners in addressing their nutrient management and water quality concerns. And efforts continue to refine strategies as more is learned through data in a recent report on cropland conservation outcomes from their Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP). The report showed that despite many wins in conservation outcomes, there was an increase in soluble nitrogen …