AgNet Online

For some in the internet world this may be a small feat but for me it’s quite a big one as this marks my 2000^th post for Southeast AgNet on this site which started in late May of 2006. So in less than 2 years our staff has worked hard to not only learn this new way of bringing agricultural news to producers across the Southeast, but also to highlight what Southeast agriculture has for the rest of the world to see.

 I have been in radio for over 30 years so am by no means a computer “techie”, thus it’s taken some time to get use to this aspect of ag news coverage. But we continue to hear from many of you about how this has become a fairly frequent routine, thus we know this form of providing coverage of issues is important. So Southeast AgNet is doing it’s best to continue to not only to learn the ins and outs of all this, but also stay ahead of the curve as much as possible.  I’ve always considered this website as a great partner to our daily radio shows, in that many times people will hear a show and would like to either hear it again or obtain more information about the topic covered and this site allows them to do just that.  

So as Director of Programming for Southeast AgNet, I say thanks to those of you who log on to this site on a regular basis and encourage you to tell your friends and neighbors about it so they can do the same. 

In these reports, more comments from Dr Jim Graham at UF’s Citrus Research and Education Center at Lake Alfred, about Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) as it pertains to citrus canker, and how the research community plans to study SAR’s potential for help with the greening challenge. Report (1:30 mp3) Report (1:30 mp3)

While hog inventories as of March 1st were higher than last year at this time, there are indications that producers are starting to cut back some.  Report (:45 mp3)

Cattle producers from across the U.S. are in our nation’s capitol this week to discuss a variety of issues, with one of those being the farm bill.  Report (:40 mp3)

An agreement has been made to allow breeding cattle from the United States into Mexico.  Report (:30 mp3)

USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service has released their planting intentions report for the 2008 crop, and according to Shiela Corley with their office in Washington D.C. cotton acres will be down this year.

Report (2:50 mp3)

Report (1:00 mp3)

To see the full report click Here

 According to USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service, growers intend to plant more peanuts this year compared to last. Tyron Spearman runs through the numbers released this morning. Report (1:15 mp3)        

Everett Griner talks to us today about the fight for this.  Report (1:00 mp3)

We at Southeast AgNet are doing all we can to facilitate information flow among growers and researchers. As most in citrus are very aware, times are tough and growers are hoping research will lead to better management controls or solutions for citrus greening and canker diseases….
We will keep doing what we do - interviewing the players and bringing you their comments, like these pointed comments from Dr Jim Graham (photo left) in the first report posted herein. There are, however, limits on what we can report. We must avoid the potential liability of putting out inaccurate information, or of announcing potential breakthroughs prematurely.
While growers want desperately to hear about certain experiments being discussed on the coffee shop circuit, we must maintain the journalistic integrity that got us here. We hope growers understand and appreciate our efforts, and in this spirit I’ll share a proverbial saying from our side of the industry…”don’t shoot the messenger…” Thanks to all for your listenership and readership. Sincerely, Gary Cooper, President, Southeast AgNet, Inc. Report (1:15 mp3) Report (1:05 mp3)

Thanks to Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) for allowing us to post this timely article about the importance of UF/IFAS research efforts for one of Florida’s most important industries - agriculture. The article is by FFB’s G.B. Crawford, (photo right)…
According to various research reports issued by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), production agriculture in the Sunshine State generates an annual economic impact of more than $100 billion. Recent declines in other economic sectors have highlighted the stability of the industry’s contribution to Florida’s material life. (more…)

General Motors Corvette Racing team will make its debut race on cellulosic ethanol in the upcoming American LeMans Series Acura Sports Car Challenge in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Florida Farm Bureau continues to watch the budget negotiations in the 2008 Florida Legislative session, as well as other bills of interest to agriculture including the General Ag bill and a bill that allows for oversized farm equipment to move from one farm to another.

Report (1:00 mp3)

First looks at budget cuts for IFAS came out this week - on the House side, the first draft includes an overall 2.8 percent cut in research and education for IFAS, while the Senate Higher Education Appropriations committee proposed a 1.7 percent cut. Both include money from estimated lottery revenues, which helped to increase dollars in the budget.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Congress will be back in session next week with only three weeks to come up with a farm bill but discussions have continued during the Easter recess

Report(1:00 mp3)

The Florida Legislature has been working on the budget this past week as both the House & Senate now send their versions to conference to work out the differences. Florida Cattlemen Association’s Sam Ard gave us the numbers as they affect IFAS.  Report (1:00 mp3)

 The National Agriculture Statistics Service continues their efforts to collect 2007 Census of Agriculture forms. Radley Edwards with the Georgia Ag Statistics office is asking producers who have yet to return theirs to please do so.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Tyron Spearman has information on what was discussed in Washington D.C. recently concerning the drought in parts of Georgia.  Report (:30 mp3)

Permanent disaster is another issue that some are worried may not be a part of the new farm bill, as Tyron Spearman has the latest on that.  Report (:30 mp3)

The Florida Department of Agriculture is reminding horse owners to get their animals vaccinated for deadly diseases, as cases have already been found in parts of the state this year.  Report (:30 mp3)

Dyan Kennedy with the Alabama Department of Agriculture has the figure’s from cattle markets across Alabama this past week.  Report (1:00 mp3)

Once the thieves get it, what do they do with it?  Everett Griner asked this question and ponders the answer.  Report (1:00 mp3)

In this report, Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff reports on a special Florida Citrus Commission teleconference this week where commissioners discussed another possible fix to the “Free Rider” issue.   Report (1:30 mp3)

The National Peanut Board wants growers to know this is a great time for peanuts.   Report (1:00 mp3)

   To learn more click Here

USDA Under Secretary Bruce Knight updates where things stand with Country of Origin Labeling and what producers need to be thinking about to get ready for it.   Report (1:15 mp3) 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Arlen Lancaster explains new tools that are being used for the next signup of the Conservation Security Program that begins April 18.

Report (1:00 mp3)

Mike Stuart with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association says they are keeping a close eye on this year’s Florida legislative session to make sure cuts for research programs at the University of Florida IFAS are not too severe.

Report (1:00 mp3)

In this report, a preview of a Citrus Commission teleconference scheduled for today, where commissioners are expected to discuss and possibly act on a proposal that could change the way the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) collects its taxes. This is part of the continued efforts of the Commission to address the ‘free rider’ issue, where Florida growers exclusively pay for FDOC programs even though orange juice importers also gain benefits from FDOC promotional and research investments. Report (1:00 mp3)

Have you heard about it?  Neither has anyone else, much.  Everett Griner explains some of it to us today.  Report (1:00 mp3)

In this report, comments from USDA/ARS Ft Pierce Lab Director Dr Calvin Arnold, about the recent decision by Florida Citrus Commissioners to engage the National Academy of Sciences in the effort to find answers to citrus greening disease. Report (1:00 mp3)

A crowd of about 200 gathered at University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center mid-week to hear what citrus researchers had to say about Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR). Southeast AgNet’s Ernie Neff was there, and you can hear more about what went on in this report he filed soon after the meeting’s conclusion. Report (1:00 mp3)

Tyron Spearman has the latest posted price information for peanuts along with news about a new opportunity for peanuts on the web.            Report 1 (:15 mp3)      Report 2 (1:00 mp3)