Cotton Board Recommends $86 Million Budget and Elects Chairman

Dan Cotton, Industry News Release

Texas cotton producer Jeff Posey elected Cotton Board chairman and new officers elected During its annual meeting in Durham, North Carolina, the Cotton Board reviewed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s proposed 2020 budget of $86 million to the Secretary of Agriculture. This is a $4 million increase from the 2019 budget. The 2020 Cotton Incorporated plan and budget remains …

Georgia Produce Safety Inspections Continue

Dan Georgia, Industry

The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Farm Safety Program has helped to develop partnerships and relationships with farmers across the state concerning the regulatory requirements for produce safety under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Farm Safety Education and Outreach Coordinator Maggie Brown says the inspections, on farm readiness reviews and training continue. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle …

UF/IFAS Plant Geneticist Named Fellow of American Society for Horticultural Science

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops, Pollinators, Research

BALM, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — If you savor the sights of caladium, gerbera and other ornamental plants, you can thank Zhanao Deng for developing better varieties. In his three-decade career, Deng beams with pride over new types of caladium and gerbera he’s bred that are more resistant to diseases. He’s also happy with his lantana varieties, which are genetically sterilized and …

Farmers Prevented From Planting Crops on More Than 19 Million Acres

Dan Drought, Economy, Environment, Industry News Release, Water, Weather

Agricultural producers reported they were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This marks the most prevented plant acres reported since USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began releasing the report in 2007 and 17.49 million acres more than reported at this time …

USDA Invests in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure in 24 States

Dan Industry News Release, Water

Investments will Benefit 133,000 Residents in Rural Communities WASHINGTON, (USDA) – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service Administrator Chad Rupe announced that USDA is investing $135 million in 49 projects to improve rural water infrastructure in 24 states (PDF, 170 KB). “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA continues to partner with rural communities to …

July Ag Economy Barometer Increases

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(NAFB) — The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reading jumped to 153 in July, up 27 points from June, and up 52 points from May. However, it’s safe to expect a decline in the August report. While the Market Facilitation Program payments are a positive to farmers, this week’s announcement that China will stop all purchases of U.S. ag …

Growers Learn about Irrigator Pro

Dan Irrigation, Technology, Water

Many farmers around the country are looking at innovative ways to conserve water while maintaining or boosting crop yields. Irrigator Pro, an irrigation scheduling tool for peanuts, cotton and corn, was first developed by the Agricultural Research Service’s National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Georgia. And new technology, an app for Irrigator Pro, is now available for water conservation. According …

Study Shows Premium in Cattle from BQA Certified Producers

Dan Beef, Cattle, Industry News Release

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (NCBA) – While producers have traditionally participated in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) because it’s the right thing to do, there is sound research that indicates BQA certified producers can benefit financially as well. According to a recent study by the Beef Checkoff-funded BQA program and conducted by Colorado State University (CSU), results show a significant premium for calves …

Alabama Looking for Temporary Help during Peanut Harvest

Dan Alabama, Labor and Immigration, Peanuts

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will be accepting applications and conducting interviews for temporary employment for the 2019 peanut harvest at various locations in the state during August. Tyron Spearman has more details. For more information concerning positions available, starting salaries along with dates and locations where applications will be accepted and interviews conducted, please visit: http://www.alabamafsis.com. Sponsored …

National FFA Organization Names 2019 Star Finalists

Dan Education, Industry News Release

INDIANAPOLIS (National FFA Organization) – The National FFA Organization selected 16 students from throughout the United States as finalists for its 2019 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. The American Star Awards represents the best of the best among thousands of American FFA Degree recipients. The …