Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Sept. 26, 2019) — Last week, the Office of Energy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) filed a brief required by the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA). Since 1980, FEECA has directed Florida utility companies to develop meaningful energy efficiency and conservation measures. Every five years, most major utilities are required to …
USDA Research is Driving Technological Innovation
USDA scientists and researchers reported 320 new inventions in 2018 (Salinas, California — USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its annual Technology Transfer Report (PDF, 14.9 MB), which highlights innovations from scientists and researchers that are solving problems for farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers; and creating opportunities for American businesses to thrive. Secretary Perdue discussed the release …
Senators Perdue, Merkley Lead Bipartisan Effort To Ease Burdens On Agricultural Trucking
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) are leading a bipartisan effort to level the playing field for the transportation of agricultural products. The Agricultural Trucking Relief Act will expand the definition of an “agricultural commodity” to include horticultural and aquacultural products, promote consistency across all federal and state agencies, and ease regulatory burdens on the trucking industry. …
Tyson Foods and Auburn University Partner to Build First Stand-Alone Solar-Powered Poultry House
Off-the-grid broiler poultry house will be key to informing sustainable energy practices at scale Auburn University’s National Poultry Technology Center (NPTC), a leader in poultry housing and associated technologies for more than a decade, and Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) announced the opening of the largest stand-alone solar powered poultry house to be operated completely off the grid. The 54-foot …
New Survey Examines Consumers’ Understanding of the Environmental Impact of Chicken Production
National Chicken Council Seeks to Bridge the Gap Between Consumer Perception & Reality Further delivering on its commitment to transparency, the National Chicken Council (NCC) unveiled the findings of its new nationwide survey about how deeply consumers understand sustainable food practices as it relates to broiler chicken production, an industry that maintains one of the lowest environmental footprints in animal …
Industry Response to Ruling on Year-Round Sale Of E15 Gasoline
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s final rule on E15: “I appreciate President Trump’s steadfast support for our patriotic farmers and for his commitment to expand the sale of E15 and unleash the full potential of American innovation and ingenuity as we continue to demonstrate …
FFA Chapters Use Innovative Microsoft Solution to Delve Deeper Into Agriculture
Fifty FFA chapters have received Microsoft FarmBeats Student Kits as part of a collaboration between the National FFA Organization and Microsoft Corp. For the FFA Blue 365 Challenge, chapters were asked to apply for the FarmBeats Kits by sharing how they would utilize the kits. “The FFA Blue 365 Challenge and the use of the Microsoft FarmBeats Student Kits are …
Remarks by Commissioner Nikki Fried at 2019 Florida Associated Press Day
Good afternoon, I’m Nikki Fried- I’m here today proudly serving as the first woman elected as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I want to thank all of you for your public service to our state and nation as journalists. Our democracy relies upon a free and strong press. And I want to give a special thank you to …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Inaugurated as 12th Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Commissioner lays out a fresh agenda that will keep Florida growing Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried was inaugurated as Florida’s 12th Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. As Commissioner, she will oversee a $1.8 billion department with nearly 4,000 employees, a $137 billion economic impact, and widespread responsibility for Florida’s food production and safety, consumer protection and licensing, and our state’s …
U.S. Farm Equipment Sales Rises in September
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly “Flash Report” says U.S. sales of all tractors back in September were up two percent compared to the same time frame in 2017. For the first nine months in 2018, a total of 181,515 tractors were sold, which compares to 168,651 sold through the first nine months of 2017. That represents an eight percent …