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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida …

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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida Cattle …

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„¢ …

Crop Sunscreen

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Protecting crops from harmful UV rays is the goal of a new crop sunscreen product from a company called Purfresh. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober 24, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role in Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober …

Controlling Whiteflies

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Whiteflies are always a concern for fruit and vegetable producers in the southeast and it can be expensive to control these pests. Because of that, John Altom with Valent says Venom and Knack help growers the most effective control for their dollars. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida …

FL Commissioner’s Spotlight on Salmonella Outbreak

Randall Weiseman FL Commissioner Report, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

This week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson is about the recent salmonella outbreak and its impact on Florida’s tomato industry. Commissioner Bronson appeared before a congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C. on July 31st to discuss the federal government’s handling of the matter. To read the text of the Commissioner’s testimony before the House Committee on Energy and …

Sugar TRQ Increased

Randall Weiseman Sugar

USDA Undersecretary Mark Keenum this week announced a change in the tariff rate quota for sugar, due to a variety of factors, including the February explosion of a refining plant in Savannah, Georgia. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Unique Opportunity For Applied ResearchOctober …