(USDA/ARS) — Alfalfa is often called the “Queen of the Forages” due to its high yield, feed quality for ruminant animals, nitrogen fixation and pollinator habitat among other environmental services. But this royal member of the legume family is no match against the host of microbes that cause the disease complex known as “crown rot.” Chemical controls aren’t effective against …
Florida’s Arguments Rejected in ‘Water War’
(NSF) — For years, Florida has blamed Georgia’s water use for causing damage to the economically vital oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. But a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed this week, dealing a major blow to Florida in its legal fight to force Georgia to share more water in a river system that links the two …
Congressman Bishop Comments on Special Master Ruling in Water Litigation
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, released a statement following Special Master Paul Kelly’s ruling in Georgia’s water litigation: “I am elated by this ruling, which is a major victory for Georgia. As we move forward, I hope we can come to …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida-Georgia Water Ruling
(FDACS) — Following the ruling by a federal judge on Georgia’s consumption of water shared with Florida, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “This ruling is a major disappointment for fair, responsible water usage on which both states depend. Georgia’s unchecked disruption of our shared waters in the Apalachicola River has devastated Florida’s oyster industry. I’m encouraging our …
USDA to Make Funding Available in 2020 to Deploy High-Speed Broadband Internet Infrastructure in Rural America
Announcement Made at Round One Investment in Iowa (USDA/RD) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the availability of a second round of $550 million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Reconnect Pilot Program funding appropriated by Congress. The application window for this round of funding is set to open Jan. 31, 2020. Secretary Perdue made the announcement alongside Iowa …
Nursery and Greenhouse Industry Big Business in Alabama
The poinsettia sitting on the hearth, the hydroponic lettuce in the refrigerator, the new shrubs waiting to be planted — all of these were probably grown right here in Alabama. Paul Brown, associate director for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said many Alabamians do not recognize just how significant the nursery and greenhouse industry is in the state. Economic Impact “Alabama’s …
Farm Bureau: Farmers Need Meaningful Ag Labor Reform
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “At a time when the farm worker shortage has reached a crisis in parts of the country, it is deeply disappointing that the House blocked any possibility of improving the legislation designed to address the problem, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Several amendments addressed …
Chairman Bishop Supports Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, released a statement following the House passage of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 260-165: “We have known for a long time that American …
USDA Extends Deadlines for Dairy Margin Coverage, Market Facilitation Programs
The new signup deadline is Dec. 20. (USDA/FSA) — Due to the prolonged and extensive impacts of weather events this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today extended the deadline to Dec. 20 for producers to enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for the 2020 calendar year. The deadline had been Dec. 13. USDA announced it is also continuing …
Farm Groups Partner to Help Farmers Manage Stress
(AFBF) — Recognizing the high levels of stress affecting America’s farmers and ranchers, Farm Credit, American Farm Bureau Federation and National Farmers Union have partnered on a program to train individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to recognize signs of stress and offer help. Based on the farm stress program Michigan State University Extension developed for the U.S. Department …