Thanks to south Florida ag news colleague Katrina Elskin at Lake Okeechobee News for this recap of this week’s South Florida Water Management District Governing Board meeting in West Palm Beach. WEST PALM BEACH — The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board once again turned their attention on the nutrient load from agricultural properties at their July 10 workshop …
Industry Reaction EPA Approval of Sulfoxaflor Use
Source: National Cotton Council? MEMPHIS, Tenn. (NCC) – The National Cotton Council (NCC) is grateful for EPA’s decision granting use on cotton of sulfoxaflor (commercially known as Transform©) – a uniquely designed insecticide that targets piercing/sucking insect pests such as aphids and plant bugs. “We appreciate EPA’s decision to make sulfoxaflor available for use on cotton,” said NCC Chairman Mike …
EPA Registers Long-Term Uses of Sulfoxaflor While Ensuring Strong Pollinator Protection
Registration provides benefits to growers and is supported by strong science that shows minimal risks for pollinators. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a long-term approval for the insecticide sulfoxaflor— an effective tool to control challenging pests with fewer environmental impacts. After conducting an extensive risk analysis, including the review of one of the agency’s largest datasets on …
Charles W. Obern Named 2019 Farmer of the Year
To be successful in farming requires a good deal of stamina, flexibility, and determination, along with a love of the art of growing things. Charles “Chuck” Obern, owner of C&B Farms, Inc., embodies all these qualities, in addition to curiosity—an instinctive awareness that research can provide previously undiscovered or underutilized methods to improve crop health and yields. Graduating from the …
U.S. Tractor, Combine Sales Decline in June
Sales of tractors and combines in the United States declined last month, according to a monthly report by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The data released this week shows total farm tractor sales were down 3.5 percent last month, when compared to June of 2018, while retail sales of combines fell 23 percent. Sales of two-wheel-drive tractors fell 3.4 percent …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Visits Panhandle to Highlight Florida Aquaculture
Youngstown, Fla. (FDACS) – Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) officials visited Bay County to highlight the community’s aquaculture industry. Commissioner Fried toured the shellfish processing facility at Webb’s Seafood Inc. in Youngstown, and spoke about the Panhandle’s growing aquaculture industry. “Florida is one of the top states in the country for fresh seafood production, supporting almost 14,000 …
USDA Now Making Payments for New Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Income-over-feed margin for May triggers fifth payment for 2019 WASHINGTON, (USDA/FSA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened enrollment for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program on June 17 and has started issuing payments to producers who purchased coverage. Producers can enroll through Sept. 20, 2019. “Times have been especially tough for dairy farmers, and while we …
Deadline Approaching in Florida for SBA Working Capital Loans
ATLANTA (SBA)- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations that Aug. 12 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans in Florida as a result of Hurricane Michael on Oct. 9 – 11, 2018. This disaster declaration includes the following counties: Baker, Columbia, …
Rural Broadband Will Boost Economy, Improve Sustainability and Animal Welfare
(AFBF) — Broadband is no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern agriculture and the quality of life for rural Americans, Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst told a House subcommittee. “While most Americans take broadband for granted, 26.4% of rural Americans lack access to broadband,” the Missouri farmer told the Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit. …
White House to Send USMCA to Congress this Fall
(NAFB) — The White House will send the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to Congress after September first, setting up a busy fall schedule for lawmakers. While the goal of the move is to set up a vote before the end of the year, lawmakers will also be working on spending bills and nearing election season. Further, House Democrats are still seeking …