The National Corn Growers Association is urging farmers to be aware of the label changes for dicamba herbicides next year. NCGA says farmers interested in using dicamba as part of their crop strategy in the 2018 growing season need to be aware only certified applicators, or those under direct supervision will be allowed to apply the product. The Environmental Protection …
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Lists Farm Bill Priorities
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives is urging Congress to finish the next farm bill on time. In releasing the organization’s farm bill priorities Tuesday, President and CEO Chuck Conner noted the “challenging price environment” farmers are dealing with in explaining the need for a timely farm bill. The council’s framework outlines eight general principles to be included in the …
Korea Sends KORUS Analysis, Says No to Opening Ag Trade
A review of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade (KORUS) Agreement by South Korea claims to show little basis to support the U.S. desire for renegotiation. A South Korea-based newspaper reports that Korea submitted an analysis to Washington, D.C. showing that preferential U.S. duties as part of KORUS had almost no direct effect on the increase in South Korean exports to the U.S. over …
Senate Committee Advances Chief Ag Negotiator Nominee
The Senate Finance Committee Tuesday advanced the nomination of Greg Doud as chief agriculture negotiator to the full Senate. The move puts Doud closer to the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations, with one vote remaining until he can take his post at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office. Chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah says of the Trump Administration that it …
Survey Shows Impacts Immigration Policy has on Agriculture
A survey recently released by the California Farm Bureau shows immigration policy still harms agriculture in the same capacity as seen in a similar survey in 2012. The informal survey showed that more than half of responding farmers had experienced employee shortages during the past year. California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger says the worker shortage impacts farm operations. Wenger …
UF Offers Free Invasive Plants Toolkit for Teachers Nationwide
Science and agriculture teachers across the nation now have a new tool to teach students about invasive plants, thanks to researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The Florida Invasive Plant Education Initiative at the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants (CAIP) has partnered with The Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS) to produce a …
Nominations open for Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award
Nominations are now open for the Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer. The state winner will be announced at the Georgia Peanut Farm Show on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, in Tifton, Georgia. The award is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission and BASF. The Outstanding Georgia Young Peanut Farmer Award is based upon the applicant’s overall farm operation; environmental and stewardship …
USDA Invests in a More Diverse Agricultural Science Workforce
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced grants to increase women and minority representation in the agricultural science workforce. Funding is made through NIFA’s Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields Program (WAMS). “America’s human capital is our greatest resource,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA investments are helping …
Putnam’s Statement Regarding Current Federal Disaster Relief Legislation
The U.S. Senate last night voted to move forward the $36.5 billion disaster relief legislation without additional support for Florida agriculture. Florida’s agriculture industry suffered a more than $2.5 billion hit due to Hurricane Irma. Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam’s statement is below: “I’m disappointed that the current disaster relief legislation does not include much-needed support for Florida’s …
Governor Ivey to Speak at ATFA Annual Meeting
The 2017 Alabama TREASURE Forest Association annual meeting will be held Oct. 26-27 in Florence, Alabama. This conference provides excellent opportunities for landowners to gather and learn from each other as well as industry and agency professionals on how to best manage their property. This year will be no exception, as they are pleased to announce the addition of the …