USDA Releases Farm Bill Proposals

Randall Weiseman Cotton, General, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Wednesday unveiled the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2007 farm bill proposals. The more than 65 proposals correspond to the 2002 farm bill titles with additional special focus areas, including specialty crops, beginning farmers and ranchers, and socially disadvantaged producers. Details are available at www.usda.gov/farmbill. Among the proposals are payment limitations and increased conservation funding. Conservation Report …

Applications Being Accepted For Specialty Crop Program

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications until Feb. 12 for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program which helps open, retain and expand markets for U.S. specialty crops. More information can be found at fas.usda.gov. Report (1:00 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Orange Cauliflower Research

Randall Weiseman Vegetables

The discovery of a lone orange cauliflower in a field of the ordinary white variety 30 years ago is helping scientists isolate the beneficial beta carotene gene which provides Vitamin A. Report (1:00 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Fresh From Florida 200

Randall Weiseman Florida, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson will serve as Grand Marshall of the “Fresh from Florida 200,” a 200-mile Grand Am KONI Challenge Series race Friday, January 26, at Daytona International Speedway. The Commissioner will be riding in a specially designed “Fresh from Florida” vehicle that will accompany the pace car to kick off the event. Get …

Farm Bill Will Depend on Budget

Randall Weiseman General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Whether or not specialty crops will get more attention in the new Farm Bill will largely be determined by the budget, according to Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association lobbyist Bob Redding who spoke at the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Report (1:30 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag …

USDA Rules in Favor of UglyRipes

Randall Weiseman Florida, General, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

With the popularity of the TV show Ugly Betty, some are saying that ugly is the new beautiful – something the producers of UglyRipe tomatoes have been trying to tell the Florida Tomato Committee for the past three years. Now the US Department of Agriculture has intervened on behalf of the unattractive but tasty tomatoes marketed by Santa Sweets of …

Orange Cauliflower Gene

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

It was found in a Canadian field nearly 30 years ago – an orange cauliflower that may help scientists find a way to make food crops more nutritious. After eight years of working with the orange gene found in the cauliflower, USDA’s Ag Research service may have found a way to use it to induce higher levels of beneficial beta-carotene …

Other Crops Affected by California Freeze

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables, Weather

Because it’s a billion dollar crop, citrus is getting all the media attention with the freeze in California. But USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the cold also hit some winter vegetable producing areas. Report (1:30 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

California Freezing

Randall Weiseman Citrus, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

As much as 75 percent of California’s fresh orange and lemon crops may have been destroyed by a three day weekend of freezing temperatures as well as other crops such as avocados and tomatoes. Report (:40 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

F&V Conference Attendance Up

Randall Weiseman Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah earlier this month was a big success according to coordinator Charles Hall. Report (:30 wma) Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024