Free Trade vs Fair Trade: In Search of the Facts, and a Level Playing Field

Dan Farm Bill, Sugar

Few farming industries in the U.S. are more misunderstood, or perhaps more misrepresented, than the sugar industry. Each time updates for farm legislation is considered, many of the same worn out, inaccurate and biased arguments from anti-sugar forces return to the stage of debate, most often funded by a small core of Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry …

National Strawberry Day brings attention to UF/IFAS varieties

Dan Fruits, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

Vance Whitaker toils day and night to develop the tastiest, best-looking, aromatic strawberries a consumer would want. Yummy enough for a nutritious snack or to help flavor a cake or pie just in time for National Strawberry Day on Feb. 27. Whitaker, an associate professor of horticultural sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, leads …

Farm Thefts Could Draw Heftier Penalties

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

Getting caught stealing a registered beehive would have a deeper sting under a measure advancing in the Senate. The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal (SB 776) that would boost the criminal fine for theft of a commercially farmed animal or a bee colony from $5,000 to $10,000. Committee Chairwoman Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, said increased fines are …

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 …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Producers Proactive …

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 …