While conservation plantings protect various resource concerns, the success of these plantings is dependent on making the right management decisions. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Program wants landowners to know they provide technical assistance on forage management to assist with proper grazing recommendations while addressing other conservation concerns. The James E. “Bud” Smith Plant Materials Center, Knox City, Texas recently …
July Ag Economy Barometer Increases
(NAFB) — The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reading jumped to 153 in July, up 27 points from June, and up 52 points from May. However, it’s safe to expect a decline in the August report. While the Market Facilitation Program payments are a positive to farmers, this week’s announcement that China will stop all purchases of U.S. ag …
Disaster Aid Coming to Farmers Soon
(NAFB) — Farmers can expect disaster aid sometime this month. Two weeks ago Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said the $3 billion in disaster funds for agriculture should launch sometime in August. The disaster package will include funds for farmers impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and flooding since last year. Politico reports that since 2018, roughly $33 billion in disaster funding …
Judge to Hear Arguments in ‘Water War’
Going along with a request from Florida’s attorneys, a federal judge will hear arguments in December in a long-running water war between Florida and Georgia. Senior U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Paul J. Kelly, who was appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to serve as a special master in the case, has scheduled oral arguments Dec. 16, according to …
‘Sweet Grown Alabama’ Statewide Agricultural Branding Program Launches
Shoppers looking to buy local and support Alabama farmers will soon have a new way to identify locally grown products with the Sweet Grown Alabama logo. “As I travel across the state, most of the questions I receive from consumers are about their food and where it comes from,” said Commissioner Rick Pate of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and …
China Trade Standstill More Bad News for Farmers
The following statement is fromAmerican Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “China’s announcement that it will not buy any agricultural products from the United States is a body blow to thousands of farmers and ranchers who are already struggling to get by. “In the last 18 months alone, farm and ranch families have dealt with plunging commodity prices, awful weather …
Soy Flour Could Replace Petroleum-Based Adhesives in Wood Component Manufacturing
AUBURN, Ala. (AU/SFWS) – Soy flour could soon replace petroleum—at least in adhesives used in the manufacturing of particleboard. Professor Brian Via of the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences has obtained a patent that will allow soy flour to replace petroleum-based adhesives traditionally utilized to manufacture wood components in particleboard, an engineered wood product commonly used in …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on China Halting U.S. Agricultural Imports
Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – The Chinese government announced it will halt purchases of U.S. agricultural products, in response to President Donald Trump’s escalation of his trade war with China. Financial markets reacted with shock, calling it “massive…on a scale of 1 to 10, it’s an 11.” Earlier this year, China imposed 25 percent tariffs on many American agricultural products, which has been devastating …
Nearly $13 Million in Loans Awarded to Florida Agricultural Producers
Governor Ron DeSantis announced nearly $13 million has been awarded through the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan for agricultural producers. More than 70 applications have been approved from farmers in Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Wakulla, Walton and Washington counties. “We remain committed to utilizing all available resources to help Floridians continuing to …
UF Offers New Horticultural Therapy Course with Certificate Program to Follow
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (UF/CALS) – As a junior psychology major at the University of Florida, Emily Fradet looked for ways to gain more hands-on experience in clinical psychology, counseling and therapy treatment of patients. She stumbled upon a new fall 2019 introductory course in horticultural therapy while searching for intriguing electives. “I’m interested in alternative forms of therapy, so I thought …