The outbreak of salmonella in tomatoes is shaping up to be the industry’s worst nightmare. Although the Florida Tomato Exchange did not return calls from SE Agnet yesterday, Reggie Brown did talk to Reuters, which quotes him as saying the industry in Florida is in “complete collapse.” “We probably have $40 million worth of product we can’t sell. We’ve had …
Specialty Crops and Conservation in the Farm Bill
Consumers will benefit from unprecedented specialty crop provisions in the new farm bill. Report(1:00 mp3) The conservation title in the new farm bill offers some new and expanded programs for producers and landowners. Report(1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for …
Farm Bill II – The Sequel
Congress is back inWashington following a week-long recess for Memorial Day and the first item on the Senate’s agenda is fixing the Farm Bill. Title Three of the bill, which covers trade, was inadvertently left out of the bill vetoed by President Bush. The veto of the incomplete bill was overridden, making 14 of 15 farm bill titles law. However …
Hairy Vetch Benefits Tomatoes
Hairy vetch mulch activates, in regular tomatoes, some of the same metabolic pathways and genes that are activated in biotech tomatoes and USDA Agricultural Research Service plant physiologist Autar Mattoo says it has other benefits as well. Read more here. Report 1(1:00 mp3) Report 2(1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture …
Lee V. McCoy 1947-2008: “RealMcCoy” Will Be Sorely Missed
It is with great sadness and tremendously heavy hearts we report of the passing of Lee V. McCoy, known to many of his legions of friends and colleagues as the “RealMcCoy”. Lee lost his battle with cancer early morning Thursday May 22 in a Georgia hospital, admitted the Monday before in a bout with pneumonia. Please find details regarding Lee’s …
Methyl Bromide Alternative Meetings
Several meetings on methyl bromide alternatives are being held around the state this week and next. Wednesday, May 21, at Popi’s restaurant in Ellenton from noon until 2. Wednesday, May 28, there will be an extended fumigation workshop in Immokalee at the SW Florida research and education center from 3 pm until 8:30 pm, including dinner. Thursday, May 29 in …
Farm Bill Debate Goes On
All over the nation, the pros and cons of the recently passed compromise version of the Farm Bill are being debated. In the first report posted herein, USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner (photo left) explains some of the factors in the Bill that the administration feels will cause trouble for specialty crop producers down the road. In the second report, …
FFVA Happy With Farm Bill
Commodity groups are unanimous in their praise for the Farm Bill passed by Congress last week. Among them, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association which is thrilled with the landmark legislation that for the first time addresses the needs and priorities of the U.S. specialty crop industry, according to FFVA President Mike Stuart, who is also co-chairman of the Specialty …
Commissioner’s Spotlight on Farmers Markets
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson talks about the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. More information about the program can be found on the web here. Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical Role To Extend ResearchNovember 7, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the Florida Cattle IndustryOctober 31, …
Farm Bill Passes Senate
The Senate passed the 2007 Farm Bill on Thursday by an even larger margin than the House – voting 81 to 15 in favor of the Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2008, despite the threat of a presidential veto. Senate Ag Committee ranking Republican Saxby Chambliss of Georgia says the bill is good for farmers, better for the hungry. …