Florida panther

Florida Panther Breeding Area Expands in Partnership with Citrus Producer

Dan Florida, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Florida have partnered to purchase a conservation easement at G Road Grove, an active citrus grove and tree nursery in Florida panther habitat.  This expands the protected area within the Florida Panther Dispersal Zone. It’s a 30,000-acre corridor in Hendry and Glades counties that helps connect the panthers’ current …

million

One Million Followers for Fresh From Florida

Dan FDACS, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced their Fresh From Florida program has hit the 1 million mark of consumers who follow Fresh From Florida on social media, signed up for the Fresh From Florida newsletter, and joined the Fresh From Florida Club. Since January 2023, online followers have grown from just over 500,000 to over 1 million, a 90% increase …

tractor sales

Slight Rise in 4-Wheel-Drive Tractor Sales in May

Dan Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Economy, Industry

While total agriculture tractor sales in the U.S. dropped 11.5% in May compared to a year ago, sales of 4-wheel-drive tractors saw an increase of 9.4%. According to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), the increase follows a rise of 24% back in April compared to the year before, and the data also indicates year-to-date sales of 4-wheel-drive tractors are up 3.2%. …

china

China Bans Meat Exports from U.S. West Coast Facility

Dan Beef, Beef, Cattle, Exports/Imports, USDA-FSIS, USDA-FSIS

China has banned meat exports from a West Coast cold storage facility near the Port of Oakland after traces of the feed additive ractopamine were found in beef shipments. The Food Safety and Inspection Service said that Chinese customs workers detected the feed additive that’s banned by more than 150 countries. Agriculture Dive says the move is creating significant obstacles …

simpson

Simpson Applauds Funding for Critical Investments in Florida Agriculture

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

On Wednesday, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the 2024-2025 state budget. “I applaud Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for making critical investments in the 2024-2025 state budget to safeguard and advance Florida agriculture, preserve our working lands and natural resources, and enhance our consumer protection efforts,” said Commissioner …

conservation

USDA Providing Funds for Conservation and Climate-Smart Ag Solutions

Dan Conservation, Environment, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be investing in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions. The NRCS is accepting project proposals until July 2, 2024 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). It is designed to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis.  The $1.5 billion investment is being made …

protection

Protection of 1,800-Acre Florida Cattle Ranch Approved

Dan Cattle, Conservation, Environment, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

After approval by the Governor and Cabinet, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced the protection of a 1,800-acre cattle ranch and farm in Okeechobee County. Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, Clemons Oak Creek, a 1,800-acre working cattle ranch and farm, will be preserved through a cost-effective rural land protection easement totaling $6,475,000. Rural land protection easements …

registration

Registration Still Open for GCC Mid-Year Meeting

Dan Cotton, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

Registration remains open for the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) mid-year meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 24 at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro, Georgia. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, outlined this year’s second annual meeting, which will highlight timely topics impacting the state’s cotton producers. “July 24, we’re going to have our second annual Georgia Cotton …

american rescue plan

Cattle Industry Condemns Latest Government Proposal

Will Jordan Beef, Beef, Cattle, Industry, Livestock, Livestock News, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) condemned a recently announced U.S. Department of Defense-sponsored research grant that will fund the development of lab-grown meat products by a biotechnology manufacturing company called BioMADE. NCBA says it’s outraged that the Department of Defense is spending millions of taxpayer dollars to feed America’s heroes like lab rats. “U.S. cattle producers raise the highest …