How Will Watermelons Fare in a Tighter Economy?

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Florida leads the U S in watermelon production, and in light of the present economic situation all around, we asked National Watermelon Association Executive Bob Morrissey how he felt watermelons would fare on the marketing side considering the consumer belt tightening going on. Hear his comments in this report. By the way, some in our citrus audience may recognize Bob, …

FL Farm Bureau Follow Up On Ag Budget Cuts in Special Session

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Sugar

In this report, Florida Farm Bureau Director of Legislative Affairs Ben Parks in Tallahassee gives our listeners a rundown of the budget cuts to the Florida Dept of Agriculture in the Special Session this month. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Food Safety Scares: It Can Happen To ANY Commodity

Gary Cooper Alabama, Citrus, Florida, General, Georgia, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Reggie Brown of the Florida Tomato Exchange (photo) was a featured speaker in a couple of the sessions at the recent Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, GA. After what he and his industry went through in 2008 due to innaccurate reporting of a salmonella outbreak that did not involve tomatoes at all, Brown had some pointed comments for …

FL Ag Urged To Attend FL Senate Committee Workshops

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

In this report, comments from Florida Senator Don Gaetz about a series of three workshops scheduled in the immediate future by the Florida Senate Committee on the Economy, which he chairs. Gaetz says agriculture is a key to Florida’s economy, and agricluture legislative representatives are urging farmers and ranchers to turn out at these meetings, even on short notice, to …

Cold Weather Concerns for Upcoming Several Days

Gary Cooper Citrus, Florida, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables, Weather

We realize farmers are likely the world’s best weather watchers, so it should be no surprise that concerns about this week’s expected cold weather seem to be growing with each forecast. We have received a number of weather warnings over the last day or so from a variety of sources, about possible freeze events in numerous agriculture production areas of …

USDA Issues Final Rule on Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling

Gary Cooper Alabama, Florida, General, Georgia, Livestock, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2009 — (USDA) The United States Department of Agriculture today announced details of the final regulation for the mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) program required by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills. The full text of the final rule will be published in the Jan. 15, 2009 Federal Register. The rule becomes effective on March 16, …

Food Safety On The Farm A Regional F&V Conference Focus

Gary Cooper Alabama, Citrus, Florida, General, Georgia, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Food Safety as it relates to farm operations was a hot topic at this week’s Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, GA. While some specific crop producer groups are preparing mandatory food safety related production practices, Tom Stenzel of the United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA) says one size does not fit all. Stenzel told growers that food safety management …

Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Gets Underway

Gary Cooper Alabama, Field Crops, Florida, General, Georgia, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Here’s a couple more features on this week’s Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference going on in Savannah GA into the weekend. Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) hosts this annual regional event in Savannah each January and it draws producers, industry and political leaders from several southeastern states. In the first report, GFVGA’s Charles Hall talks about some of …