Growers Urged to Comment on Soil Fumigant Regs

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Florida Farm Bureau Federation is urging Florida growers to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency requesting the agency reevaluate its proposed Reregistration Eligibility Decisions for several important soil fumigants. The EPA has extended the comment period through Oct. 30. FFBF Agricultural Policy Division assistant director Joshua Craft talks about why this is so important and how growers can …

Lessons Learned from Salmonella Outbreak

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Now that the salmonella stpaul outbreak has been officially declared over, officials are evaluating what steps can be taken to avoid a repeat in the future. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Irradiation Approved for Lettuce and Spinach

Randall Weiseman Vegetables

With continued food safety concerns focused on fresh produce, the Food and Drug Administration is now permitting growers and importers to irradiate spinach and iceberg lettuce. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Soil Fumigant Comment Deadline Extended

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

In response to requests from groups representing manufacturers and users of soil fumigants, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the public comment period for reregistration of soil fumigant pesticides including methyl bromide. EPA had opened a 60-day public comment period in July but it has now been extended for an additional 45 days, closing on October 30. EPA is …

Fresh Produce in Schools

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The 2008 Farm bill is providing $49 million in fresh fruits and vegetables for elementary school children during the school day under the new Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program – with over 1.6 million allocated for Florida schools. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Figuring Damage From Fay

Randall Weiseman Cotton, General, Specialty Crops, Weather

As all eyes are now on Gustav, officials are still trying to determine how much damage the heavy rains and winds from Tropical Storm Fay caused – from citrus and vegetables in south Florida to cotton and pecans in the tri-state area. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril …

Supplemental Ag Disaster Programs included in Farm Bill

Gary Cooper Cattle, Citrus, Florida, General, Sugar, Vegetables

This information from the FL Dept of Agriculture: With T.S. Fay making its way through the state, wanted to make sure everyone is aware that under the new Supplemental Agriculture Disaster Programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill, producers must have crop insurance or non-insured crop disaster assistance (NAP) coverage for the land for which assistance is being requested, and …

US Sugar Breaking Records

Randall Weiseman Sugar, Weather

Just before Fay hit south Florida this week, US Sugar Corp announced they were on track to set new production records by the end of August. Listen to report here: After Tropical Storm Fay hit, US Sugar reported that sugarcane operations were affected with 8-12 inches of rain and hurricane force winds of 80-85 mph. They have standing water and …

Salmonella Jalapeno Problem Continues

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Food and Drug Administration officials say they continue to find produce from Mexico that test positive for different types of salmonella, including the st. paul strain implicated in the outbreak that started at the end of April. Listen to report here: Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, …

Thrips Resistance Action

Randall Weiseman Florida, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Dow AgroSciences has voluntarily suspended the sale and use of multiple spinosyn insecticides in Broward County and a portion of Palm Beach County. The action was taken in response to evidence that western flower thrips have developed resistance to a product with the active ingredient spinosad. Products affected by this suspension are CONSERVE® SC turf and ornamental insect control, DELEGATEâ„¢ …