AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES) —Extension professionals have already confirmed the presence of Cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV)—the causal agent of Cotton Blue Disease—on multiple research substations across Alabama. The aphid transmitted disease has been monitored closely since its appearance in cotton fields during the fall of 2017. Kassie Conner, an Alabama Extension plant pathologist, said the virus was confirmed in …
FMC Continues to Grow U.S. Biologicals Portfolio
Submits two new strains for EPA approval (FMC) — FMC Corporation has announced the submission of two new active ingredient microbial pesticide strains, RTI 301 and RTI 477, and associated formulated products to the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention Division (BPPD). Submissions have also been made in the EU and field work is continuing in Canada …
Environmentalists, State Wrangle Over Conservation Money
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Florida lawmakers defied a voter-approved constitutional amendment by improperly diverting money intended for land buying and maintenance to cover agency expenses and salaries, attorneys for environmentalists told a three-judge panel at the 1st District Court of Appeal Tuesday. But lawyers representing the state argued that the environmental groups are trying to impose restrictions on spending that doesn’t …
Farm Bureau Welcomes Progress on Water Rule Changes
(AFBF) — The following statement regarding repeal of the 2015 Waters of the United States rule can be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The Administration has moved its effort to repeal the 2015 Waters of the United States rule to the Office of Management and Budget, the last step before formal issuance. This is good news …
Funding to Support Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON (USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced up to $16 million in available funding to help socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers own and operate successful farms. Funding is made through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Program (also known as the 2501 Program). The program is …
Pork Industry Battling Challenges From Trade to Labor Shortage
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPPC) – The U.S. pork industry faces numerous challenges both at home and abroad that, if not addressed, will pose significant harm to our farms, rural communities and ultimately consumers, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President David Herring, a pork producer from Lillington, N.C., testified before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture. “One of the …
Rodale Launches Organic Research and Training Center in Georgia
(NAFB) — The Rodale Institute will launch a new organic research and training center in Georgia this fall. The Southeast Organic Center aims to innovate agriculture and increase healthy food access in the region, according to the organization. The regional resource center will focus on the unique challenges of farmers in the southeast United States, at Many Fold Farm, outside …
The Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor
The Ocala to Osceola Wildlife Corridor, or “O2O,” connects habitat supporting the Florida black bear, the red-cockaded woodpecker, eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise. Landowners are encouraged to learn how a local nonprofit has teamed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS) and other conservation groups to create a greenway that protects the Florida …
Crawford Introduces Legislation to Reform H-2A Program
Legislation introduced in the House of Representatives would transfer jurisdiction for agricultural guest workers from the Department of Labor to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill comes as the Labor Department Monday opened a comment period on proposed rulemaking changes to the program. The changes “strengthen protections” for workers. Meanwhile, the Agricultural Guest Worker Reform Initiative, or AGRI …
Perdue on the Department of Labor’s Proposed H2A Modernized Rule
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement on the Department of Labor’s proposed rule to modernize the H-2A program to reflect stakeholder concerns and improve access to a legal source of agricultural labor: “President Trump once again shows his commitment to helping America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers continue to be the most productive …