Farm Bill Progress for SPECIALTY CROPS!

A news report out of a California newspaper this week says California Congresswoman and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has a deal with the House Agriculture Committee in Farm Bill negotiations that will provide more than $1.5 Billion dollars over five years for the state’s specialty crops, including research dollars, more access to fruits and veggies for school lunches, …

New Process for Produce Imports

USDA officials have announced a new risk-based process for approving the importation of certain fruits and vegetables. Read more from USDA-APHIS. Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril …

Breeding Flavored Strawberries

Strawberries with different flavors could create a new market for berry producers in the future, according to a breeder who has been working on a number of flavors developed from wild European strawberries. Report (2:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research …

Futurist Lowell Catlett WOWS FL Fert & Ag Chem Mtg

Florida Fertilizer and AgriChemical Association celebrated its 75th anniversary this week at the annual summer meeting in Naples. A real treat on the program was to hear popular futurist and professor of ag economics at New Mexico State University, Dr Lowell Catlett. Hear some interesting comments in these reports. And remember citrus growers, to pre-register for Citrus Expo to be …

FL Fruit Fly Find, Brazilian Crop #’s and More Citrus Headlines

Several headline tidbits for Florida citrus and specialty crop growers in the two reports below, including basic facts available about a fruit fly find in the Tampa Bay area this week, and citrus crop expectations being reported out of Brazil as growers in South America begin their harvest season. Report (2:00 mp3) Report (2:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between …

Int’l Symposium in Orlando To Address Precision Ag

University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred will host an International Symposium on Applications for Precision Agriculture in Fruits and Vegetables next January 6-9 in Orlando. Hear more details in this report, and find lots more about the program at this link (pdf file) Report (2:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Sugar for Ethanol

The House Ag Committee’s proposed farm bill would allow U.S. growers to sell cane and beet sugar for use in making ethanol. Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research …

Produce Safety Research Needs

The need for increased research into food safety for fresh produce is critical for producers, according to Dr. Martha Roberts who testified recent congressional hearing on behalf of the Florida Tomato Exchange. Report (1:30 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril …

Picking Watermelon

2006 National Watermelon Queen Candice Fralish of Alabama offers some advice on how to choose ripe and tasty watermelon. Report (1:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United …

Collapsing Colonies

During a recent speech to introduce the new US postal service pollinator stamps, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns talked about the importance of honey bees, how Colony Collapse Disorder is affecting bees in 35 states, and what USDA is doing about it. Report (2:00 mp3) Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …