Robert E. Saunders Named 2022 Swisher/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year

Dan Field Crops, Fruits, Specialty Crops

(Moultrie, GA/Oct. 18, 2022) — Robert E. Saunders, a multi-generational farmer from Piney River, Virginia, who grows woody ornamentals, annuals, perennials, field ornamentals, grafted trees, peaches, nectarines, apples, and Asian pears, has been selected as the overall winner of the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2022. Growing up on a family farm as one of seven …

Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried on UF/IFAS Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Citrus, Cover Crops, Dairy, Economy, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Grapefruit, Lemons, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

(FDACS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Oct. 18, 2022) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) released a preliminary assessment of the agricultural production losses associated with Hurricane Ian. The report, which considered crops, livestock, and animal products, estimates a potential loss of up to $1.56 billion for Florida producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) is expected to release its …

Florida Ag Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian May be Eligible for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Economy, Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Hydroponics, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA-FSA, Vegetables

Agricultural producers who suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ian, may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). But, to be eligible, USDA approval is required before producers can begin repair efforts. Deborah Tannebaum, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what land is …

Strawberry Season Lasting Longer

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Peak strawberry season is lasting a little longer in one growing area. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. California strawberry production is expected to hit its second-highest season on record, extending peak season well into fall. As the country’s leading producer of strawberries growing 90% of all strawberries produced in the U.S., consumers can expect to see abundant …

Farmers Try to Sort Out Hurricane Damage

Dan Cattle, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 06, 2022) — A week after Hurricane Ian stormed across Florida, farmers and ranchers continue waiting for flood waters to recede to get a full picture of the destruction to citrus groves and cattle operations. The storm killed at least 200 cows at a dairy farm in Myakka City, while beef cattle counts remain uncertain until herds can …

Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cannabis, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Crop Insurance, Dairy, Economy, Eggs, Equine, FDACS, Field Crops, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Hydroponics, Industry, Livestock, Pasture, Peanuts, Pecans, Pork, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, USDA, USDA-FSA, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables, Weather, Wheat

(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) —  In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …

Florida on Alert as Hurricane Ian Threatens

Dan Agri-Business, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, General, Hemp, Herbs, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Peanuts, Pollinators, Poultry, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables, Weather

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 26, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Floridians to be aware of local evacuation orders as Hurricane Ian is expected to strengthen into a “major” storm in the eastern Gulf of Mexico as early as Tuesday. DeSantis said during a media briefing just before noon Monday that Ian will bring heavy rain, strong winds, flash flooding, storm surges …

APHIS Reviews Genetically-Modified Tomato

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, USDA-APHIS, Vegetables

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reviewed a new tomato variety from Norfolk Plant Sciences. The tomato was modified to alter its color to purple and enhance the nutritional quality. The agency says it found the plant is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated tomatoes and is not subject to regulation. …

New UF/IFAS Blueberry Lab Nearing Completion

Dan Education, Florida, Fruits, Research, Specialty Crops

Research efforts continue with a variety of crops at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), and that includes blueberries. And those researchers are looking forward to the completion of the new blueberry lab. UF-IFAS Senior Vice President, Dr. Scott Angle, noted to Southeast AgNet that their top-notch blueberry breeding program will get a boost from this new …