USDA Service Centers in Florida are holding disaster assistance and hurricane recovery workshops in 48 counties for farmers and ranchers impacted by Hurricane Irma during the next few weeks. The event is free and open to the public. To find meeting dates and locations, go to https://www.fsa.usda.gov/state-offices/Florida/state-events/index. Representatives from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) …
UF/IFAS-Led Team Wins National Award for Research on Heat-Tolerant Field Corn
Field corn is one of the world’s most important cereal grains, and efforts to develop new heat-tolerant varieties of this crop have earned national recognition for a scientific team led by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences molecular geneticist Curt Hannah. On Thursday, Oct. 12, representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and …
Strong RFS Critical to Farm Success
Changes being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard would undermine the RFS, according to Growth Energy. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the EPA considering last-minute changes to the proposed renewable volume obligations is contrary to the administration promise to support the RFS. Rolling back the volume targets would reduce the opportunity for farmers during …
Pork Checkoff Adjusts Digital Strategy
Announces Partnership with Yummly With a focus on upgrading its digital footprint and connecting with consumers, the Pork Checkoff has launched a unique recipe partnership with the website and mobile app called Yummly. Yummly connects the right cook, with the right food and recipes, at the right time. Founded in 2010, today Yummly is a leading innovator in personalized recipes …
Putnam Recognizes Florida’s 17 Million Acres of Forests During Working Forests Week
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are celebrating the benefits of Florida’s more than 17 million acres of forests during Florida’s third annual Working Forests Week, which is Oct. 15 through Oct. 21. A working forest includes publicly or privately owned lands where sustainable production of timber is balanced with promoting healthy populations of …
UF scientists act as plant detectives to identify disease
As a University of Florida plant pathologist, Gary Vallad likes to call himself and his colleagues “sleuths of the plant world.” These detectives find out what ails plants and crops, hopefully before the disease gets out of control. Most recently, scientists with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences discovered some novel pathogens that may damage Florida tomatoes. Their …
Key for Agriculture Hangs in the Balance
Tax Reform key for agriculture and other sectors, hangs in the balance this week as the Senate takes an expected razor-thin vote on a budget bill crucial to passing tax reform. The fate of tax reform, a top priority of the president and GOP, will likely be determined by this week’s Senate vote on a so-called ‘reconciliation’ budget. American Farm …
Tractor Sales Fall in September
Overall sales of tractors were lower in September compared to last year. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly report on equipment sales found the sale of all tractors in the U.S. in September 2017, were down 10 percent compared to the same month last year. For the nine months in 2017, a total of 168,600 tractors were sold, which compares …
BASF to Acquire Bayer’s Crop Science Unit
BASF has signed an agreement to purchase Bayer’s Crop Science business for $7 billion. BASF is purchasing Bayer seeds for mainstay crops including cotton and soybean, plus the herbicide brand Liberty. The move by Bayer is part of its agreement to purchase Monsanto. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals as well as the successful closing of Bayer’s acquisition of …
EPA Announced Dicamba Label Changes
The Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced new restrictions for dicamba-based herbicides, classifying dicamba as a restricted-use product. The EPA said that only certified pesticide applicators, or people under their supervision, will be allowed to spray dicamba. The EPA also is reducing the maximum wind speed and the hours during each day when dicamba may be sprayed and will require farmers …