The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has initiated a new social media campaign to raise awareness of the dangers cogongrass poses to the state. With agriculture and natural ecosystems at risk, ADAI is calling on Alabamians to recognize this threat and share the information. This is all due to the fact the noxious weed has now infested more …
After Securing State of Emergency Declaration, Florida Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried Advocates for USDA Disaster Designation to Help Florida Producers Hurt by Recent Freeze
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/February 9, 2022) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of a Secretarial Disaster Designation to provide additional assistance to Florida producers experiencing losses due to the recent freezing temperatures. This follows the Commissioner’s requests last week for the Governor to declare a state of emergency and for the Florida Department of Transportation to issue an emergency …
CattleFax Forecasts Positive Profitability Trends in 2022
(HOUSTON/Feb. 2, 2022) — The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Houston, shared expert market and weather analysis on Wednesday. Cattle price and profitability trends for producers are trending upward. While issues around labor and packing capacity have lingered, both are expected to improve in the year ahead. …
DeSantis Takes Aim at Federal Immigration Policies
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/Dec 10, 2021) — Gov. Ron DeSantis focused on national politics Friday as he rolled out a series of proposals for the upcoming 2022 legislative session aimed at the border policies of President Joe Biden. DeSantis called for state lawmakers to “fight against the Biden border crisis” by passing legislation to expand a law targeting so-called “sanctuary cities” and to …
Lasers May Be the Future of Weed Control
Carbon Robotics is working on what may be the future of weed control in agriculture. They’re building a rectangular vehicle a little smaller than a compact sedan, which rolls across farmland. While it’s moving, the vehicle shoots concentrated bursts of infrared light into the rows. Observers hear audible crackles and get the distinct smell of burning vegetation as weeds smolder …
Draxxin KP is a Combination Treatment for BRD
Many cattle producers are familiar with Draxxin. But last month, Zoetis announced a new combination product to treat bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and control related fever (pyrexia). It’s called Draxxin KP, and the injectable solution is a new single-treatment option for both beef and dairy producers. Mark Alley, managing veterinarian with Zoetis, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman the KP part …
Deadline Nearing to Apply for ADAI Relief Program
Back in April, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) announced they were administering the Alabama Agriculture Relief Program (AARP) to provide USDA relief funds to farmers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael in 2018. While the original deadline to apply was June 25th, they want to remind those who experienced necessary expenses related to losses of beef …
July 4th Cookout Cost Stable Compared to Year Ago
U.S. consumers will pay just a few cents more for their favorite Independence Day cookout foods compared to last year, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, says the American Farm Bureau Federation. Farm Bureau analysis reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people remains affordable at $59.50, or less than …
Statewide Farmworker Advisory Council, Farmworker Appreciation Day Announced by Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried
(Miami, Fla./June 29, 2021) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the creation of Florida’s first Farmworker Advisory Council under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Florida’s previous statewide farmworker advisory council, first established in 1979 under Governor Bob Graham, was later disbanded leaving farmworkers without a voice before the Florida Cabinet. In a proclamation, Commissioner Fried also recognized June 29, 2021, as Farmworker Appreciation Day in the …
ADAI Accepting Century & Heritage Farm and Bicentennial Farm Applications
(MONTGOMERY, AL/June 15, 2021) —The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is now accepting applications for their annual Century & Heritage (C & H) Farm and Bicentennial Farm programs. ADAI created these programs to help recognize and celebrate family farms that have significantly impacted Alabama history and agriculture. A Century Farm is one that has been in the same family continuously for at least 100 years and currently has agricultural activities on …