From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Barbour, Bullock, Elmore, Walker and Winston counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are …
USDA Designates 3 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Alachua, Flagler and Putnam counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by insufficient chill hours that occurred from Nov. 1, 2015, through March 31, 2016. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Florida …
USDA Designates 7 More Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Crawford, Crisp, Dooly, Lee, Macon, Sumter and Worth counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their …
Poultry Workers’ Injury, Illness Rate Remains at All-Time Low
From the National Chicken Council: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nov. 2, 2016 – The incidence of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses in the poultry sector, which includes slaughter and processing, remains at an all-time low, according to the 2015 Injury and Illness Report released last Friday by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The total recordable poultry processing …
Groups Urge Court to Nix Waters of the U.S. Rule
The National Pork Producers Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association this week joined dozens of other agricultural organizations, businesses and municipalities in asking a federal court to throw out a Clean Water Act rule that would give the government broad jurisdiction over land and water.
USDA Releases Two-Year Strategy to Help Gopher Tortoise
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama is working with private landowners through a new two-year implementation strategy to help restore, enhance and protect longleaf pine forests not only in Alabama, but across the Southeast. It’s part of an ongoing effort to help the gopher tortoise rebound and combat the need for additional regulation of the species. Download Audio
Florida Application Deadline for Wetland Reserve Easements is November 15
Agricultural landowners and Indian tribes in Florida are being reminded by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida that you have until November 15 to apply now for a Wetland Reserve Easement for fiscal year 2017 funding. Download Audio
Florida Forest Service Alerts Public to Heightened Wildfire Danger
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Forest Service are urging the public to use caution with all outdoor fires due to increased wildfire danger levels throughout the state. Dry conditions have sparked wildfires in many areas of the state recently and have threatened 20 …
Statewide Meeting Was a Diamond Celebration
From the Florida Farm Bureau Federation: Orlando, Fla.—More than 600 grassroots members gathered at the Caribe Royale Orlando Resort, Oct. 26-28 to celebrate Florida Farm Bureau Federation’s 75th anniversary. Florida Farm Bureau voting delegates discussed and approved policy resolutions submitted by county Farm Bureaus throughout the state. The resolutions were adopted as policy for 2017. The meeting included award and …
Enrollment Period for 2017 Safety Net Coverage Began Tuesday
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini made an announcement that enrollment for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs began Tuesday, November 1, for the 2017 crop year coverage. Download Audio