Water protection and restoration projects, including the fight against red tide and the continued cleanup of the Everglades, will account for $625 million of a proposed budget that Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will roll out Friday for state lawmakers to consider. DeSantis on Tuesday outlined part of his environmental budget proposal during an appearance at Rookery Bay Environmental Learning …
ARS Microscopy Research Helps Unravel the Workings of a Major Honey Bee Pest
Research by scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the University of Maryland released today sheds new light — and reverses decades of scientific dogma — regarding a honey bee pest (Varroa destructor) that is considered the greatest single driver of the global honey bee colony losses. Managed honey bee colonies add at least $15 billion to the value of U.S. …
Do NRCS Business through Conservation Client Gateway
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind farmers, ranchers and private landowners that many of the business issues they may need to take care of with NRCS can be done right there from their home or farm office. NRCS offers their secure online portal called Conservation Client Gateway. Through it you can request NRCS technical and financial assistance, review …
Opening of Government Brings Much Needed USDA Reports
The Department of Agriculture did not supply more than 60 reports during the government shutdown and will supply much of that data next month. USDA announced Monday many reports, including final production reports for 2018 will be published on February 8th, the same date of the February World Agriculture Supply and Demand report. However, American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Veronica …
Farm Futures Survey Shows Planting Intentions
A survey by Farm Futures finds growers said they want to boost corn and cotton acreage, while cutting back on crops affected by China’s import tariffs on soybeans and sorghum. Farm Futures surveyed 626 farmers in December and January and reported soybean planting intentions of 84.6 million acres, down 5.5 percent from 2018, but more than the 82.5 million projected …
Commissioner Nikki Fried and Dignitaries Discuss Hurricane Damage and Recovery
On Monday, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, State Senator George Gainer (R-Panama City), State Representative Brad Drake (R-DeFuniak Springs) and Florida Forest Service Director Jim Karels toured Hurricane Michael-damaged Jackson County and surrounding areas and discussed hurricane damage and ongoing recovery efforts and needs. The group toured several agricultural operations including timber, cotton and soybean farms in Jackson and Calhoun counties, and met with state forest …
Secretary of Agriculture to Speak at 2019 Cattle Industry Convention
Sonny Perdue to Address Thousands in New Orleans Feb. 1 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will speak at the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans, La., Feb. 1, 2019. Perdue will give his remarks at the Closing General Session of the event, being held Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, 2019 at the New Orleans …
Land and Water Money Considered in Storm Recovery
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried indicated Monday she could back a legislative proposal to use money voters designated for land and water projects to help recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael. After reviewing agricultural damages Monday, Fried said at Chipola College in Marianna that her office was looking into a proposal (SB 376) by Sen. Bill Montford, D-Tallahassee, that would designate at …
Georgia Resource Fair at Two Ag Forecast Meetings
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is adding a Resource Fair to their Ag Forecast meetings in Bainbridge on January 31 and in Tifton on February 1. And USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia will be at both of those events to share resources available for those affected by Hurricane Michael. Both public and private ag …
Government Reopening Draws Reactions
Secretary Perdue Statement on Reopening the Federal Government U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of reopening the federal government: “President Trump’s announcement of the reopening of the federal government is welcome news, as it will bring thousands of our employees back to work and return us to our …