Subcommittee Votes for Commodity Title Extension

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Rather than overhauling the safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers – a House Ag Subcommittee has voted to keep the subsidy portion of the 2002 Farm Bill in place for the next five years. The proposal rejects the USDA plan for major changes in the commodity title and administration officials are disappointed while ag groups are divided on the …

New Name for Foundation

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Research & Education Foundation has been renamed the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, Executive Director Mike Carlton announced today. The name change is part of a reorganization that began when Carlton was named as the foundation’s first full-time executive director in January. “Our mission is to be the leading organization for specialty crop research, education and …

Johanns on Immigration

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops

US Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns talks about the importance of immigration reform to agriculture and his concerns about the end of debate on the Senate bill. Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Peach Crop Forecast

Randall Weiseman Georgia, Specialty Crops

The 2007 peach crop in California, Georgia, and South Carolina is forecast at 865,000 tons, up 6 percent from 2006 but 12 percent below two years ago, according to the National Ag Statistics Service. The initial forecast for Georgia’s peach production is 17,000 tons, 59 percent less than last year’s 41,000 tons. Report (1:00 mp3) USDA NASS Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture …

Propane Powers American Agriculture

Randall Weiseman Citrus, Cotton, Energy, General, Poultry, Specialty Crops

The propane industry was in Washington DC this week for Propane Days. When Gary Cooper was in DC recently, he interviewed Mark Leitman with the Propane Education and Research Council, or PERC about the latest propane products for agriculture. Find out more at agpropane.com. Propane for Cotton and Poultry Report (1:30 mp3) Propane for Produce Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsored ContentCIR …

New Honey Program Proposal

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops

USDA is seeking comments on a proposal for a new national Honey Packers and Importers Research, Promotion, Consumer Education and Industry Information Order which would replace the existing Honey Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Order. Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Farm Bill Mark Ups

Randall Weiseman Field Crops, General, Peanuts, Specialty Crops, Sugar

Lots of markups this week on 2007 Farm Bill proposals in the House Agriculture Committee. The Subcommittees on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture and Organic Agriculture marked up proposals for the titles under their jurisdiction, including sugar and peanuts. There was also discussion about limiting direct payments to farmers. Peanuts and Sugar Report (1:00 mp3) Direct …

Blueberry Import Proposal

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to allow the importation of commercial shipments of fresh blueberries from South Africa and Uruguay. Notice of this proposed rule was published in the June 5 Federal Register and comments are being accepted for consideration until July 20. To submit a comments on line, go to the Federal eRulemaking portal at …

Soil Fumigant Meetings

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Florida producers are being urged to attend a meeting June 5 to prepare for the EPA Soil Fumigant Pesticides meeting to be held in Ft. Myers on Wednesday June 6. The working dinner meeting will be 5:00 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel in Ft. Myers. The EPA meeting will be on June 6, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at …

Immigration Bill Update

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Senate overwhelmingly voted last week to reduce the number of guest workers allowed into the U.S. under the immigration bill being debated. The amendment, introduced by Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), would allow only 200,000 workers into the country, half of the original figure of 400,000. Report (1:30 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober …