Boston Market Commits to GAP Animal Welfare Standards

The rotisserie-cooking chain Boston Market announced plans to source chickens certified by the Global Animal Partnership and processed via a controlled-atmosphere system. A Meating Place Dot Com article says the pledge will take effect in 2024. Chief Executive George Michel said the multi-step process is considered the most comprehensive approach to poultry production. At the same time, it also meets …

Crop Insurance Industry Fears Budget Cuts

President Donald Trump’s budget is expected to be released on Tuesday and it’s still not known if or how much the president is expected to cut from farm subsidies and other programs that serve rural areas. Early press reports indicate that farm subsidies will be part of $1.7 trillion in proposed cuts to mandatory spending. House Ag Committee Chair Mike …

Farmers Nervous About NAFTA Renegotiation

A large part of rural America voted in favor of Donald Trump during the recent presidential election. An Associated Press report says rural voters were drawn to Trump’s ideas on reducing environmental regulations, increasing law enforcement, and redoing health care. But farmers are looking on nervously as the White House announced last week it intends to renegotiate the North American …

Pasture Management series offered in Crestview and DeFuniak Springs

Walton and Okaloosa Counties are offering a class on managing pastures for hay and grazing. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult …

Giving Gardeners Information on Potting Media for Trees and Shrubs

With spring here, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists in Alabama have some timely advice for gardeners and homeowners who buy shrubs or trees. Their insight comes from a cooperative study with Auburn University scientists focused on the effects of pine bark and other types of potting media used with many potted shrubs and woody ornamentals. Pine bark is considered …

Agriculture Department Hit By Data Breach

From News Service of Florida Nearly 500 people may have had their Social Security numbers obtained in a data breach at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Also, the names of 16,190 concealed-weapon license holders — out of more than 1.75 million in the state — may have been acquired in the hack. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has …

Glyphosate-resistant Johnsongrass Management Webcast

New ‘Focus on Cotton’ Webcast Identifies Key Practices and Programs for Managing Glyphosate-resistant Johnsongrass Glyphosate-resistant Johnsongrass can completely overtake a cotton field if managed improperly. It is one of the most tenacious weeds because of its ability to reproduce and spread through rhizomes. The Focus on Cotton webcast titled “Glyphosate-Resistant Johnsongrass Management” helps cotton growers, consultants, and other industry experts …

USDA Investigating Unapproved GE Petunias

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services is investigating imported unapproved genetically modified petunias. USDA says the GE petunias produce various hues of orange, red and purple colored flowers. The petunias have been imported into the U.S. from Africa, Asia, Central America, Europe, South America, as well as the countries of Australia, Israel and Mexico, and …

Stabenow Expresses Concerns with EPA Scientist Dismissals

The ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee has expressed concerns over the dismissal of scientists by the Environmental Protection Agency. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow specifically voiced her concerns over EPA administrator Scott Pruitt’s move to dismiss nine members of the Board of Scientific Counselors, a major scientific review board within the agency. The board reviews the research carried out …