In this report Dr. Tim Spann, UF-CREC, explains some of the considerations that citrus growers need to look at during hedging and topping. Report (:48 wma)
Productivity the Major Driver of U.S. Agricultural Growth
Technological developments in agriculture have enabled continued output growth without requiring much additional inputs, according to a new USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) report. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have made it possible for total agricultural output to nearly triple between 1948 and 2021. During that period, the amount of inputs used in farming …
Florida Draws Challenges Over Pot License
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/ Oct. 18, 2022) — Weeks after state health officials selected a Suwannee County man to receive a long-awaited medical marijuana license earmarked for a Black farmer, applicants who lost out on joining Florida’s growing cannabis industry are challenging the decision. The Florida Department of Health on Sept. 21 announced it had issued an “intent to approve” a medical-marijuana …
USDA Announces Climate-Smart Partnership Projects
USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement this week. “It’s an exciting opportunity for us to talk about farmers, ranchers, and producers who are on the frontlines of climate change, feeling the impacts on a daily basis,” …
Florida Judge Blocks Aid to Minority Farmers
(TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 24, 2021) — Siding with a white farmer from North Florida, a U.S. district judge has blocked a federal plan to provide loan relief to Black and other minority farmers who historically faced discrimination. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard, who is based in Jacksonville, issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday against the plan, which was part of the …
USDA Chief Economist Dr. Robert Johansson to Depart
Dr. Seth Meyer Picked as New Chief Economist (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Chief Economist, Robert Johansson, will be leaving USDA to become Associate Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance at the end of January. Additionally, the Secretary announced Dr. Seth Meyer will return to …
Ag Groups Respond to Phase One Trade Deal Signing
Secretary Perdue: China Phase I Deal is a Bonanza for American Agriculture U.S. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the historic Phase One Trade Agreement between the United States and China: “This agreement is proof President Trump’s negotiating strategy is working. While it took China a long time to realize President Trump was serious, …
2020 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Honorees Announced
Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Oct. 8, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees for 2020. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on Feb. 11, 2020. “Agriculture touches the lives of every Floridian and plays a monumental role in our economy and culture. The …
Rubio Joins Sasse, Colleagues in Reintroducing Livestock Haulers Legislation
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) in reintroducing the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act. Currently, overly strict trucking regulations from the Department of Transportation require mandatory rest time that put livestock at risk, especially during summer or winter months. This bipartisan legislation would give American agriculture the flexibility to safely transport livestock. “Florida’s livestock and …
2017 Census of Agriculture Data Now Available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture, spanning some 6.4 million new points of information about America’s farms and ranches and those who operate them, including new data about on-farm decision making, down to the county level. Information collected by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) directly from farmers and ranchers tells …