In the past few weeks, there have been reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Midwest and northern parts of the country. According to Alabama Poultry and Egg Association's CEO, Johnny Adams, the disease is not being spread from farm to farm due to good bio-security. The disease is being spread by wild birds in parts of the U.S. and in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Canada. Bird owners should be reviewing their biosecurity...
Specialty crops like almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables have honey bees to thank for more than 15-billion in added crop value. Funding from the Plant Protection Act has helped the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Plant Protection and Quarantine Program, PPQ, launch a survey that will gather data on bees to better understand the threatening factors of bees and how to take action to protect them and the many...
History is being made with the first ever National Agroforestry Survey being conducted from February 1, 2022 to April 5, 2022. The survey is being done on farmers and ranchers across the nation that utilize these six practices on their land: windbreaks, silvopasture, riparian forest buffers, alley cropping, forest farming and multi-story cropping. The results from these surveys will be released in studies, press releases, and publications. USDA...
Farmers in western Palm Beach County have exceeded water quality standards by cutting harmful nutrients in field runoff by 59%. This is more than double what is required by law. To learn more about the Florida Everglades Forever Act and how the farmers have been able to consistently exceed requirements visit The Palm Beach Post website and read the article, "Palm Beach County farmers exceed water quality requirements by more than double,"...
Precision and automation in agriculture can minimize the overall amount of spray used in groves and orchards. Tim Hammerich explains how this technology helps Florida citrus growers in his Farm of the Future Report. Visit the Ag Information Network website to download, read, or listen to the reports. Bringing Precision and Automation to Agriculture - AG INFORMATION NETWORK OF THE WEST
The Florida Farm Bureau's CARES program recognizes Florida farmers and ranchers who implement Best Management Practices with a This Farm Cares award. Recipients of this award are committed to protecting Florida's environment and natural resources. To learn more visit the Farm Bureau website and read the article, "Florida Farmers are Protecting Natural Resources and Diverse Ecosystems," written by Cacee Hilliard. Florida Farmers are Protecting...
Buying food grown in Florida is good for the local economy, good for the farmer, and good for you! Imports sold below the cost to produce in the US impact farmers and producers in the US. Informed consumers who want to help can make an effort to purchase food produced in the US and even better, Florida! To learn more visit the NBC 2 local news website and read the article "Mexico's crop dumping is hurting Florida farmers," written by Evan Dean....
Agriculture provides food, clothing, and shelter, all of which are critical to society. However, agriculture is often cited as one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gasses. Improving grazing land management, increasing forage production and soil carbon stocks, and manure management may offer new opportunities for agriculture to play an important role in climate change mitigation. Scientists are currently working to better understand and...
Defoliating cotton creates the beautiful white snowy look of a cotton field. Cotton defoliation occurs when the mature plant sheds its leaves. Ethan Carter, the Regional Row Crop University of Florida IFAS Extension agent in Jackson County, FL published an article discussing two primary techniques used to gauge when it is time to defoliate the cotton field. To learn more visit the Panhandle UF Extension website
Biotechnology helps farmers grow more food using practices that are environmentally sustainable. Corn, cotton and soybeans grown in the US have been improved through biotechnology. To learn more about biotechnology in production agriculture visit the American Farm Bureau website. Biotechnology (fb.org)
