Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Oct. 16, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried submitted testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, in advance of the committee’s hearing on sustainable offshore aquaculture. In Florida, aquaculture is a $77 million industry, with over 700 aquaculture leases covering 2,700 submerged acres; the industry produces over 1,500 varieties of fish, plants, crustaceans, mollusks, corals, reptiles, and …
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Legislation to Expedite Water Quality Improvements
Jupiter, FL (EOG-Oct. 16, 2019) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced proposed legislation for the 2020 legislative session that will expedite water quality improvements throughout Florida. The legislation incorporates recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force, which the governor created shortly after taking office to aid the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in protecting, conserving and managing the state’s natural resources. …
USDA Invests in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in 31 States
Investments will Benefit Nearly 300,000 Rural Residents WASHINGTON (USDA-Oct. 16, 2019) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced that USDA is investing $201 million to improve rural water infrastructure in 31 states (PDF). “Modern, reliable and accessible infrastructure is critical to economic development and quality of life,” LaVoy said. “Under the leadership of President …
Study Shows Pig Farmers Improving Their Environmental Footprint
(NAFB) — A new environmental study shows that pig farms are generating less manure nutrient content associated with odor. Data gathered from more than 106,000 samples at 182 North Carolina farms shows significant reductions in ammonia levels and manure nutrient content. The improvements are attributed to gains in feed efficiency, which means it takes less feed to raise a pig. …
Results of the 2019 Southeastern Hay Contest
(Sunbelt Ag Expo-October 15, 2019) — The 2019 Southeastern Hay Contest (SEHC) presented by Massey Ferguson celebrates its 15th edition with a record of 380 entries vying for the top spot. Since 2004, the SEHC, a partnership between Auburn University, Clemson University, The University of Florida and The University of Georgia has been a key tool for promoting hay quality …
2020 Enrollment for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs Open
Safety Net Program Payments for 2018 Have Started WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 15, 2019) — Agricultural producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2020 crop year. Meanwhile, producers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than …
Agriculture Cautiously Optimistic on China Trade Deal
The good news from last week’s announced partial trade deal with China is a possible doubling of spending on U.S. farm goods. But, the flip side of that coin is continuing uncertainty over details. Spending has gone from nearly $20 billion in 2017, to less than $10 billion so far, this year, to as much as $40 to $50 billion …
Trump: China Ag Purchases Already Underway
(NAFB) — President Donald Trump says China will immediately start buying U.S. agricultural products. Via Twitter over the weekend, Trump says China will start buying “very large quantities” of U.S. farm products, adding, “they have already started.” The administration says the agreement Friday includes $40-$50 billion of commodity sales to China over the next couple of years. China already had …
Sunbelt Ag Expo Kicks off Today
The annual Sunbelt Ag Expo kicks off today in Moultrie, Georgia. Expo Executive Director, Chip Blalock, says they have enhanced their youth educational programs this year. On Wednesday, COUNTRY Financial will sponsor the Youth Educational Challenges for students in 6th through 12th grade. There are various challenges lined up for them, as students can compete as an individual or as …
Crop Insurance Deadlines Near in Florida
Avocado, Blueberry, and Pasture, Rangeland, Forage and Apiculture Producers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) are reminding Florida avocado, blueberry, pasture, rangeland, and forage (PRF) and apiculture producers that deadlines to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop …