The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) filed comments in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Nov. 14 proposal to exempt manure air emissions reporting from the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA). In October 2017, EPA concluded that air emissions from manure did not need to be reported under EPCRA while signaling it would take a substantive …
USDA Launches New Program to Create High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity in Rural America
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s new ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient …
Groups Respond to EPA’s Newly Defined WOTUS Rule
Secretary Perdue Statement on EPA & Army Corps WOTUS Announcement U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today praised the announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers that they are fulfilling President Trump’s pledge to repeal and replace the Waters of the United States rule. Perdue issued the following statement: “When I meet with the men …
WRAC Discusses EAA Reservoir
The Water Resources Analysis Coalition (WRAC) held a public forum this morning along with some board members of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Brandon Tucker, governing board member of SFWMD and WRAC facilitator says he was happy with how the forum went and the discussions that took place. One hot topic during the forum was the Everglades Agricultural …
Secretary Perdue announces new OneUSDA Internship Program
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the “OneUSDA Internship” opportunity for Summer 2019. As part of the Federal Pathways Program, the OneUSDA Internship will provide students a way to explore serving their country through a career in government while gaining work experience in agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and other career fields. “The improvements we’re making to internships at …
USDA Designates Five Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated five Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Barbour, Geneva, Henry, Houston and Pike counties who suffered losses due to wind, rain, and flooding due to Hurricane Michael, that occurred from Oct. 10 through Oct. 11, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department …
Farm Bureau Calls for Final Farm Bill Approval
The following statement regarding the House and Senate Ag Leaders’ announced “agreement in principle” on the 2018 Farm Bill conference report may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “The 2018 farm bill emerging from the conference committee is good news for farmers amid a prolonged downturn in the agricultural economy. Chairmen Roberts and Conaway and Ranking …
Florida Romaine Gets Cleared, New Labeling Approaches
Florida-grown romaine lettuce has been cleared as safe to eat according to a release from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) sent out earlier this morning. The clearing came from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after concluding the outbreak came from a region in California. The …
UF/IFAS Professor Emeritus Wins International Award For Cattle Reproduction
A University of Florida animal sciences graduate research professor emeritus has won the 2018 International Ruminant Reproduction Symposium Pioneer Award (IRRS), given to scientists who have trained students and made major contributions to understanding reproductive biology in cattle. Bill Thatcher won the award at the 10th IRRS, held in Iguacu Fos, Brazil, Sept. 16-20. This award is one of the …
Lettuce Lessons – An AgNet Media Commentary
Florida growers of romaine lettuce are losing millions of dollars at the start of their season, even though harvest dates should clear the Florida crop in the present recall. By Gary Cooper The E. coli romaine lettuce scare coming out of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) last Tuesday effectively shut down the movement of this lettuce variety throughout nearly the …