UF Board of Trustees Approves Industrial Hemp Research Project

Dan Florida, Nursery Crops, Research

Florida’s farmers may have a new crop to grow if the University of Florida is successful in a pilot project to grow industrial hemp across the state. Researchers with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) received approval  from the UF Board of Trustees to develop hemp management and cropping systems that could be  economically viable for the …

Consumers Willing to Pay More for Fresh from Florida Plant Products, UF Study Finds

Dan Florida, Nursery Crops, Research

Florida consumers see value in and are willing to pay more for locally-grown products, especially when it comes to landscape and ornamental plants, according to a new study conducted by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences faculty member Hayk Khachatryan. Khachatryan, who leads the Consumer Behavior & Insights Lab at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center …

Crop Insurance Deadline Is Feb. 28

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) wants to remind farmers the deadline to sign up for crop insurance for most spring-planted crops is February 28. Other crops have a March 15 deadline. Tyron Spearman has the details. Crop Insurance Deadline is Wednesday Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, …

USDA to Survey Farmers’ Planting Intentions for 2018

Dan Field Crops, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, USDA-NASS

As the 2018 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. “Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said NASS’ Southern Regional …

Popular Flowers for Valentine’s Day

Dan Nursery Crops, This Land of Ours

Cathy Isom has a few good suggestions for the most popular flowers, besides roses, to give to your loved ones on Valentine’s Day from her Lovetractionlines reviews. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Popular Flowers for Valentine’s Day Every year on Valentine’s Day, consumers in the United States will drop an average of about $140 on gifts, chocolate …

What’s New For Crop Insurance?

Dan Economy, Field Crops, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

Producers are encouraged to find out what’s new for crop insurance this year before the upcoming deadlines. Stephanie Ho has the story. What’s New For Crop Insurance?-1 Rob Johansson, Acting Deputy Under-secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, explains why crop insurance is an important part of the farm safety net. What’s New For Crop Insurance?-2 Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New …

Farm Disaster Relief on the Way After Irma’s Devastation

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Industry News Release, Legislative, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

State lawmakers continue to craft tax relief for Florida’s storm-battered citrus industry, as President Donald Trump signed off Friday on billions of dollars in much-anticipated federal disaster relief. A spending bill approved by Congress and Trump includes nearly $90 billion for disaster relief, with $2.36 billion aimed at assisting the agriculture industry for losses from Hurricane Irma in Florida, Hurricane …

Florida Farmers Brace for Cold Weather

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Industry News Release, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables, Weather

Florida farmers were preparing Thursday for continuing cold weather, with temperatures expected to drop into the 30s overnight as far south as Fort Myers and Homestead. Many of Florida’s crops cannot handle freezing temperatures for long periods. Citrus and strawberry farmers are preparing harvests ahead of time, often running irrigation systems to create small layers of ice over the fruit …

Celebrating National Poinsettia Day

Dan Nursery Crops, This Land of Ours

Cathy Isom gives us a bit of history and ways of celebrating the flower of the holiday season. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating National Poinsettia Day Each year on the 12th day of December, people across the United States recognize National Poinsettia Day. The poinsettia plant’s connection to the Christmas season dates back to 16th-century Mexico. …