U.S. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack talks with AgNet Media on cheese purchase, extension of dairy MPP As the U.S. Department of Agriculture announces plans to purchase approximately 11 million pounds of cheese from private inventories and to extend the deadline for enrollment in the dairy Margin Protection Program, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talks with AgNet Media News Director Sabrina Hill to explain …
Fall Armyworms Eating North Alabama Soybeans
From Auburn University/ACES: AUBURN, Ala.—Fall armyworms have been a problem for most Alabama farmers in pastures and hayfields during the summer months. Alabama Extension entomologists have spotted fall armyworms in soybean fields in north Alabama. Dr. Ron Smith said armyworm numbers statewide are higher than they have been in a very long time.
As Zika Spreads, UF/IFAS Faculty on Front Lines Battling the Virus
From the University of Florida/IFAS By: Brad Buck GAINESVILLE, Fla. — University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty are on the front lines in the battle against the zika virus, as entomologists study the ability of at least two mosquito species to transmit the virus and ways of reducing pesticide resistance. They’re also teaching people statewide
Conservation Easement Preserves Florida Heritage
While those in the Florida cattle industry are very familiar with the Florida Cracker Cattle breed, others outside of the industry and in others states may not be. But a story from Renee Bodine, with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida, looks at why a modern-day Cracker cowboy entered property into a conservation easement in 2008 with NRCS. Play …
Growers Invited to View Three New Focus on Cotton Webcasts
Cotton Incorporated and the Plant Management Network are committed to providing valuable tools and resources to cotton growers as part of an overall commitment to improving the profitability of growing cotton. As a result of their partnership and commitment, they continue producing a suite of Focus on Cotton webcasts that gives the cotton growing community real-time access to scientific information …
Soybean Looper Numbers near Threshold in Alabama
From the Alabama Cooperative Extension System: AUBURN, Ala.—Alabama Cooperative Extension System entomologists have been watching soybean looper numbers rise for several weeks. The major outbreak entomologists warned against earlier in the summer is happening in soybean fields in south and central Alabama. Soybean loopers are also increasing in number in many north Alabama soybean fields. These are the key species …
USDA Designates 2 More Counties in Alabama as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Calhoun and Cleburne counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in Cherokee, Clay, Etowah, Randolph, St. Clair and Talladega counties in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster …
USDA Designates 4 More Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Clarke, Oconee, Polk and Towns 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 counties are contiguous. …
Cotton/Peanut Research Field Day set for Sept. 7, 2016, in Tifton, Georgia
From the Georgia Cotton Commission and Georgia Peanut Commission: PERRY/TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams, will co-sponsor a joint research field day on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, in Tifton, Georgia. The field day will start at 8:00 a.m. at UGA’s Gibbs Farm (226 William Gibbs Road) …
122 Poultry Facilities Recognized for Outstanding Safety Performance
During an event being held in Destin, Florida this week, various poultry facilities in Alabama, Florida and Georgia were among a total of 122 facilities recognized for Outstanding Safety Performance. Here’s a release from the National Chicken Council: DESTIN, Fla. – Aug. 17, 2016 – At the 2016 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry in Destin, Fla., 122 chicken …