The Florida Legislature did approve the $82.4 billion state budget before it wrapped up the 2017 legislative session on Monday night. The budget, which is for the fiscal year that starts July 1, passed by a vote of 98-14 in the House and 34-4 in the Senate. Southeast AgNet and Florida Cattlemen’s Association Tallahassee intern, Josie Tomkow, has a wrap …
Roberts Suggests no New Farm Bill Funding
Leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee indicated there would be no additional money to spend in the next farm bill while touting the cost savings from the most recent farm bill. During a farm bill field hearing in Michigan over the weekend, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said: “The reality is we are going to have to do more …
Changes Needed in Farm Bill Safety Net Outlined at Senate Hearing
Dairy farmers in Michigan and across the nation need federal lawmakers to revise the safety net created in the 2014 Farm Bill to provide them adequate risk management protection, according to a dairy farmer from eastern Michigan who testified in Frankenmuth on Saturday at a Senate hearing. Darrin Siemen of Harbor Beach, Mich., told a Senate Agriculture Committee field hearing …
Florida Lawmakers to Vote on Budget Today
Florida Lawmakers did close on the state’s budget deal last Wednesday, but it wasn’t until Friday afternoon that it was finally released. But that was good enough to allow time for the 72-hour budget “cooling off” period required by the Constitution so the vote can take place this afternoon on what should be the final day of the 2017 Florida …
Six Days Remain in Alabama Legislative Session
Alabama lawmakers have just six days remaining in the 2017 Alabama Legislative Session, which is scheduled to end by May 22nd. Leigha Cauthen with the Alabama Agribusiness Council has an update on what was discussed this week. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant …
Budget on Track For Monday Approval
by Brandon Larrabee The News Service of Florida Lawmakers closed in on an elusive budget deal Wednesday, even as Gov. Rick Scott ramped up criticism of the spending plan as he toured the state. House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, and Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, announced Wednesday morning that the two chambers have agreed in principle on how …
GFVGA Chasing Labor Issues in D.C.
AgNet Media’s Founder and President, Gary Cooper, recently caught up with the Executive Director of the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, Charles Hall, in Washington D.C. Hall says he is primarily focusing on labor and the H2-A program during his time in D.C. He also briefly discusses NAFTA negotiation possibilities and damage to Georgia blueberries from this season’s freeze. …
Governor Will Sign Negron Water Bill
from: The News Service of Florida Gov. Rick Scott will sign a bill that includes money to speed construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee — a top priority of Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart. Scott spokeswoman Jackie Schutz confirmed Wednesday that the governor will sign the proposal (SB 10), which received final approval Tuesday from the House and …
Finding a Balance for Food Labeling
Newly appointed Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue answered questions from members of the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. Perdue was asked about food labeling and what the new administration might do regarding the matter. “Certainly we are not prepared to talk about the implementation of genetically engineered or biotech labeling, and that’s a complicated issue,” he said. “But I am pretty …
Florida Rep Boyd on Tax Exemptions
During the 2017 Florida Legislative Session, some in agriculture had been closely watching the tax package. Southeast AgNet Tallahassee Intern, Josie Tomkow, caught up with Representative Jim Boyd, who talks about something that was included in that package. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary …