Back in late November of last year, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced they had extended the waiver for commercial truckers from the Federal Hours of Service (HOS) regulation until Feb. 28, 2022. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in March 2020 the FMCSA included livestock haulers in an initial emergency declaration that provided an exemption from the HOS regulation for …
Florida Legislative Session Starts Tuesday
The 2022 Florida Legislative Session kicks off Tuesday, January 11th and the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) is preparing for the annual event. FCA Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard, says it’s a year of reapportionment. Of course the budget is always something agriculture watches closely, but Ard is optimistic for another good year. The Florida House and Senate are scheduled to meet in a joint session …
NMPF Encouraging DMC Signup
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to remind dairy producers that signup for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program runs until Feb. 18, 2022. DMC enables producers to get coverage through this important safety-net program for another year as well as get additional assistance through the new Supplemental DMC. National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President of Communications, Alan …
Seven Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas by USDA
(WASHINGTON/USDA-FSA/Dec 14, 2021) — This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation …
Farmer Sentiment Weakens on Cost Concerns
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped five points in November to a reading of 116, as producers continue to be pessimistic about both the current and future outlook of the agricultural economy. Farmers are facing sharp increases in their cost of production that coincide with fluctuating crop and livestock prices. Other issues of concern are the prospect of …
Field Day to Feature GA and Nutrition Trials
Growers will have the opportunity to learn more about recent citrus research trials on nutrition and gibberellic acid (GA) and their impact on tree health. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension Polk County will host a field day on Dec. 14 to share research findings with growers. The field tours will begin with an overview …
NMPF Statement on the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act
A new bill has been introduced that would require a hearing on the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO). New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who introduced the legislation, wants to hear firsthand from farmers about the issues needing addressed. Gillibrand, joined by Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, introduced the bipartisan Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act. It …
BMPs Addressed in Bill
Florida Sen. Ben Albritton filed a bill (SB 1000) to address issues related to best management practices (BMPs), the Nov. 19 Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter reported. According to the Triangle, the bill addresses several issues stemming from outdated science supporting University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) nutrient recommendation rates pertaining to BMPs. The bill also …
Final 2021 Cotton, Peanut Crop Progress Reports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released their final cotton and peanut crop progress reports for the 2021 season. In this report, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the pace of the nation’s cotton harvest is actually ahead of the five-year average. And Rippey notes peanut harvest is on par with last year at this time. In Alabama, cotton harvested as of …
International Marketing Efforts for Florida Citrus
The Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) described its 2020-21 international marketing efforts at last month’s meeting of the Florida Citrus Commission, which governs the FDOC. Katie Bruce, international marketing manager, discussed the FDOC’s past-year programs in the United Kingdom (UK), France, Japan, South Korea and Canada for fresh grapefruit and orange juice. Bruce also presented an overview of preliminary 2021-22 plans. UNITED …