UF/IFAS Experts Help Farmers Cope with Mental Stress

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (UF/IFAS-Oct. 3, 2019) — When some people think of a farmer, they conjure an image of a stoic, tough-as-nails figure – one who can cope with any hardship. But that’s not always the case, particularly when cold, heat, drought, disease or a natural disaster strikes their crop or cattle. Sometimes, when a farmer or rancher’s livelihood is …

Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date

(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding …

Farm Bureau Releases Milk Program Recommendations

(AFBF-Oct. 2, 2019) — The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released a proposal for the future of U.S. milk-pricing provisions and marketing-order reform. The recommendations aim to bring more democracy and a more equitable program for all dairy farmers. Although federal milk marketing orders have been a pillar of the dairy industry for more than 80 years, the program has …

Fried to Roll Out Climate Change Priorities

(NSF-Oct. 2, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday plans to roll out legislative priorities focused on climate change. Warning of greater coastal flooding and more powerful hurricanes, the package will address issues such as renewable energy, farm resilience, climate adaptation, new funding sources and financial incentives, Fried said Wednesday as she helped open the Florida Energy and Climate …

ARS and U.S. Army Join Forces to Revitalize Soil with Paper

(USDA/ARS-Oct. 2, 2019) — The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is helping to arm the U.S. military with a solution to two major environmental problems: the disposal of paper waste and revegetating damaged training grounds. Under federal regulations, U.S. Army classified papers must be pulverized to a fine consistency, which leaves the material unsuitable for recycling. Continued disposal of this waste …

ADAI Works with ALDOT to Issue No-Cost Hay Hauler Permits

MONTGOMERY, AL (ADAI-Oct. 2, 2019) — As a result of the extreme drought conditions in Alabama, state transportation and agriculture officials are working to issue special hay hauler permits. This no-cost process is a combined effort of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to provide emergency relief to livestock producers. Drought …

Sunbelt Ag Expo Sustainable Living Center Makeover

The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition will celebrate its 42nd Anniversary show in just a couple of weeks, October 15-17. While there is always lots to see and do, this year their Sustainable Living Center will have a new makeover. Becca Turner, vice president of marketing and public relations at Sunbelt Ag Expo, explains. And Becca encourages folks to get their tickets online. Sponsored ContentCIR …

McConnell, Others, Optimistic on USMCA

(NAFB) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell hopes lawmakers can reach a resolution on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement soon. Speaking to CNBC this week, McConnell says “USMCA is something we can agree on,” referring to the Democrat-led House of Representatives and Republican-led Senate. President Donald Trump announced the three nations reached an agreement one year ago this week. Concerns regarding the …

Farmer Pessimism Increasing Over Current Conditions

(NAFB) — A monthly measure of farmer sentiment shows producers are more pessimistic about current conditions. The monthly Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer slipped to 121, down three points from August. However, the Index of Current Conditions, a sub-index of the barometer, dropped 22 points to a reading of 100. The barometer is based on a mid-month survey of 400 …

National Chicken Council Unveils New Sustainability Resources

Videos, infographics, farmer testimonials, FAQs highlight chicken’s environmental journey WASHINGTON, D.C. (NCC-Oct 2, 2019) — With the help of technology, modern breeding, nutrient management, feed conversion and improved animal husbandry practices, chicken producers in the U.S. have significantly reduced the use of water, farmland, electricity, greenhouse gas emissions, and other valuable natural resources. In fact, producing the same amount of chicken …