The Florida Senate on Thursday (Mar. 3, 2022) unanimously passed a proposal that would create a framework to help expand broadband into underserved areas. Linked bills (SB 1800 and SB 1802), sponsored by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, would establish a program to replace poles to help extend broadband. Sen. Loranne Ausley, a Tallahassee Democrat whose district includes sprawling rural areas, …
Florida Lawmakers Hoping to Finalize Budget Issues
As Florida lawmakers continue to finalize many issues in week eight of the Florida Legislative Session, the budget continues to be the major topic of discussion. According to Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs Sam Ard, negotiators from both the House and Senate have been working out some of the high profile spending issues in what is being described as a …
Updates on Packers and Stockyards Act Rule Amendments
Last June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they were beginning work on proposed rules to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, the 100-year old law that was originally designed to protect poultry and hog farmers and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in the meat markets. This week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered the latest …
Chlorpyrifos Tolerances for Food Crops Expires Feb. 28
While several agricultural groups did file a suit in federal court earlier this month seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from prohibiting the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops, producers are being reminded the tolerances for the insecticide expires today, February 28. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, …
Florida Lawmakers Still Dealing with the Budget
Seven weeks of the Florida Legislative Session have passed, but no allocations have been given to the sub-committee chairs just yet. Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, explains what this means for the budget process with just two weeks left in the session. The 60 day Florida Legislative session is scheduled to end March 11th. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester …
Right to Farm Bill in Georgia Moves On
Week seven of the 2022 Georgia State Legislative Session was another busy one for lawmakers, but it was an exciting week for agriculture. At least that’s according to Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley. He talks about an issue they’ve been watching closely and where it currently stands. To keep track of any of the bills during the 2022 …
Environmental Changes Teed Up for Florida Budget Talks
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 22, 2022) — A controversial environmental bill the Senate massaged last week after outcries from Everglades activists, fishing guides and Gov. Ron DeSantis is ready to become part of budget talks with the House. With little comment, the House on Tuesday, took up the bill (SB 2508) and nine other Senate measures and positioned them for negotiations that will …
Georgia Cattlemen Tracking Legislative Issues
Week seven of the 2022 Georgia State Legislative Session has Lawmakers busy dealing with a variety of issues, some of interest to agriculture. Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) Executive Vice President Dale Sandlin told Southeast Agnet’s Randall Weiseman about a couple of those they are watching closely. For more information, go to the GCA website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed …
NASDA Announces Priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill
State agriculture officials announced their priorities for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill discussion. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) will direct its policy advocacy efforts regarding the bill towards ten specific policy areas. During the hybrid 2022 NASDA Winter Policy Conference last week, members laid the foundation for those priorities. They want to focus attention on agriculture …
Florida Senate Passes Revamped Water Bill
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 17, 2022) — With a key lawmaker saying he wanted to clarify and counter “purposeful misinformation,” the Senate on Thursday changed a controversial measure that critics said could affect Everglades restoration projects. The measure (SB 2508) had drawn opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis and critics such as fishing guides who raced to the Capitol to appear in the Senate …