Elemental Enzymes, a St. Louis biotechnology firm, has obtained a patent for a natural peptide solution to treat citrus greening disease. The peptide solution, Vismax, is readying for commercialization and is expected to reach the market by 2022. Vismax has been developed and extensively field tested, says Brian Thompson, CEO of Elemental Enzymes. Thompson gave a presentation on Nov. 18 …
UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Agent Honored by National Society
(UF/IFAS) — In his 15 years with UF/IFAS, Extension forester Rob Northrop has worked with scientists to bring much-needed tree shade to the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. His work is now being recognized nationally. Northrop takes an ecosystem approach to planting and preserving trees and forests, which includes studying and communicating tree canopy goals in Tampa and surrounding areas. He …
USDA Forest Service Announces Key Changes to NEPA Procedures
(USDA/FS) — The USDA Forest Service announced the publication of a final rule implementing key changes to its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The changes include new tools and flexibilities to tackle critical land management challenges as part of a broader agency effort to better serve the American people through timely, high-quality management decisions affecting infrastructure, permitting and restoration …
NCBA & PLC Secure NEPA Improvements For Livestock Producers
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Natural Resources and the Public Lands Council (PLC) Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover released the following statement on the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) final rule to update the agency’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations: “Today’s announcement represents decades of work by livestock producers who have told the Forest Service and …
USDA Designates Two Florida Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available WASHINGTON, Nov. 18, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Sally, high winds, excessive rains and flooding that occurred from Sept. 14 through Sept. 19, 2020, may be eligible for …
Alliance Unveils Unprecedented Climate Policy Recommendations
Agriculture and environmental groups find ways that farmers, ranchers, forest owners and food sector can deliver and benefit from climate solutions (AFBF) — An alliance of groups representing farmers, forest owners, the food sector, state governments and environmental advocates today unveiled an unprecedented set of recommendations to guide the development of federal climate policy. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) …
Livestock Auction Market Direct Payment Program & Poultry Processor Reimbursement Program Applications Due by December 1, 2020
Commissioner Rick Pate is pleased to announce the Livestock Market Direct Payment Program and the Poultry Processor Reimbursement Program. Applications for each program will be available at agi.alabama.gov or crf.alabama.gov at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 and the deadline to submit applications is December 1, 2020. Each program will assist Alabama’s agriculture with costs associated with disruptions experienced due to COVID-19. Commissioner Pate and agricultural stakeholders …
Determining How Effective NRCS Conservation Practices are at Protecting Wetlands
(NRCS) — If you were to travel back in time to colonial America, you would see a much different landscape. Wetlands, those areas where water covers or is close to the soil surface all or most of the year, were much more prevalent on the landscape than they are today. Back then, wetlands were viewed as a barrier to agriculture …
USTR Must Address Key Trade Barriers Harming U.S. Dairy in the Coming Year
Given the national and strategic importance of U.S. dairy exports, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) released an Executive Summary of its recent detailed analysis of the intricate web of global trade barriers that are hampering overseas dairy sales, to better inform and guide the work of the incoming administration and other policymakers. The detailed submission to …
Two Florida Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available (USDA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Okaloosa and Walton counties who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Sally, high winds, excessive rains and flooding that occurred from Sept. 14 through Sept. 19, 2020, may be eligible for U.S. Department of …