2006 was a pretty good year for potatoes so growers who met with Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns last week in Washington were pretty upbeat and so was the secretary. Report (:40 wma)
Immigration Issues
Immigration reform was a topic at USDA’s annual Outlook Forum last week. Report (1:00 wma)
SE Projects Get Energy Grants
Two Southeastern cellulosic ethanol projects received grants last week from the US Department of Energy. Range Fuels, Inc., was awarded a $76 million grant to fund the research and construction needs of an ethanol plant in Soperton in Treutlen County Georgia. Once completed, the plant will produce about 40 million gallons of ethanol per year, and 9 million gallons per …
House Subcommittee Discusses Specialty Crops
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture met Feb. 28 for a hearing focusing on the Bush administration’s farm bill proposal as it relates to specialty crops and organics. USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Connor answered questions from subcommittee members about the specialty crop title to the USDA 2007 Farm Bill proposals the agency released on Jan. 31. Report …
Potato Resists Heat Necrosis
A potato variety released in 2003 appears to be almost immune to internal heat necrosis, which discolors potatoes and makes them unmarketable. Report (:30 wma)
Income Exclusions for Cost Shares
The Florida Department of Agriculture has announced that some state cost share payments for implementing Best Management Practices may be excluded from a producer’s adjusted gross income for 2006 federal income tax purposes. Report (1:00 wma)
FL AgNet Week In Review March 2, 2007
In this week’s pod cast, Florida cattlemen focus on the Greenbelt issue, a continuing resolution may effect the NRCS, the Florida Strawberry Festival kicked off this week, Florida grapefruit sales are up, Florida hosts the Commodity Classic, and Everett Griner hosts the Agriview. To hear Florida’s weekly reviews subscribe to our podcast .
Vegetables More Valuable
Potatoes and most fresh vegetables were more valuable last year. Report (1:30 wma)
California Still Recovering From Freeze
 Florida fruit and vegetable growers dodged the freeze bullet last week, but growers in California and Arizona are still dealing with the effects of last month’s freeze in that area. Report (1:20 wma)
FL-Bee-Colonies-Collapsing
 The situation is getting serious for beekeepers nationwide as bees are abandoning colonies for no apparent reason. Jerry Hayes with the Apiary Division of the Florida Department of Agriculture talks about what is now being called “Colony Collapse.” Report (1:30 wma)