(USDA/ARS) — Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), one of the leading causes of honey bee colony losses, is much more genetically diverse in the United States than previously thought, according to a study published by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in PLoS Biology. The diverse lineages of this virus are all equally bad for bees, and they make it more complicated to …
Georgia State Conservationist Encourages Proactive Conservation Planning
Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph, with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is encouraging Georgia’s farmers, ranchers, and landowners to consider their conservation goals now and schedule an appointment as soon as possible to meet with their local USDA-NRCS conservationist. “As our farmers and ranchers complete this year’s harvest, we suspect their minds are already looking ahead to 2020,” said …
Alabama NRCS Offers Easement Programs to Landowners
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama offers easement programs to landowners who want to maintain or enhance their land in a way that is beneficial to agriculture and/or the environment. All easement programs are voluntary, as NRCS provides technical help and financial assistance, but local landowners and organizations are needed to make these programs successful. Easement programs include both the …
CoBank: Hemp Offers Big Risks, Big Rewards to Agriculture
(NAFB) — Since the 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, agriculture has never been more interested in adding hemp to its crop rotations. A lot of available information says there’s a large financial upside to the industry. Producers responded to that by tripling hemp acreage between 2017 and 2018. However, CoBank says that false, outdated, …
Coalition Challenges EPA on 2018 Refinery Waivers
(NAFB) — A coalition of renewable fuels and agricultural trade organizations filed a petition with the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals on Tuesday. The petition challenges the process the Environmental Protection Agency uses to exempt certain unknown small refineries from their respective obligations under the Renewable Fuels Standard in 2018. The coalition includes American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, National …
Permit Issued for Everglades Road Project
(NSF) — A state permit has been issued to remove a 5.45-mile section of roadbed along the Tamiami Trail that is considered an impediment to the natural flow of water through the Everglades. As plans proceed to raise a section of the 91-year-old road, the permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is expected to allow the roadbed …
Cargill and FFA Partner to Inspire and Educate Future Leaders
$2.1 million investment focuses on advancing sustainable agriculture practices and cultivating talent for the ag, food and nutrition industries INDIANAPOLIS, IN and WAYZATA, MN (CARGILL/FFA-Oct. 23, 2019) ? Cargill and the National FFA Organization share the belief that agriculture can solve some of the world’s toughest sustainability challenges. Cargill is investing $2.1 million over three years to help the FFA organization …
Hemp, Hops and More Crops Highlight Florida Ag Expo
BALM, FL (UF/IFAS) — Farmers, nursery managers and others can get a glimpse of the latest and greatest UF/IFAS research into tomatoes, strawberries, hemp, hops and ornamental plants at the annual Florida Ag Expo at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Informative sessions will fill the day, with events running from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nov. 21, …
Sweet Grown Alabama Now Accepting Membership Applications
(SGA) — Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s new agricultural branding program, has officially opened membership applications. “Gaining members is the first step in a cycle to bring fresh, local, high-quality products to Alabama consumers,” said Rick Pate, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and Sweet Grown Alabama board president. “We need farmers to brand their products so …
EPA Finalizes Rule to Repeal WOTUS
(NAFB) — The Environmental Protection Agency Tuesday published the final rule repealing the Waters of the U.S. rule. The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers effort repeals and returns the law to provisions in place prior to 2015. The new rule will go into effect on December 23, 2019. However, legal challenges are expected from environmental groups. First announced in …