Freeze Forecast
A freeze is in the forecast for the Southeast next week.
Report(:30 mp3)
April 10, 2008
April 3, 2008
FSU Recieves Grant for Climate Consortium
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Florida State University $2.5 million to provide climate forecasting for the agricultural community in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. The grant will help fund the Southeast Climate Consortium (SECC).
Read more here.
Report (1:00 mp3)
March 28, 2008
GA Drought Discussed in Washington
Tyron Spearman has information on what was discussed in Washington D.C. recently concerning the drought in parts of Georgia. Report (:30 mp3)
February 27, 2008
South FL Agriculture Workshops to Address Water Restrictions
The following workshops have been scheduled in South Florida concerning the Water Restrictions from the South Florida Water Management District. Irrigation Restrictions: Production Implications” workshops (pdf file) are scheduled as follows:
March 5th – Palm Beach County Extension, University of Florida/IFAS, 559 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach; 4:00pm – 6:00pm.
March 18th – Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, 2686 SR 29 N, Immokalee; 4:00pm – 6:00pm.
March 25th – Miami Dade County Extension, 18710 SW 288 Street, Homestead;
1:30pm – 3:30pm.
February 6, 2008
GA Agribusiness Council Atlanta Mtgs Draw Ag & Political Leaders
This week’s Annual Meeting and Legislative Breakfast 
events hosted by the Georgia Agribusiness Council in Atlanta drew a good crowd of the state’s agriculture leaders, 
numerous lawmakers and legislative staffers. One of the big news items of the day is the announcement by GA Governor Sonny Perdue that some of the watering restrictions in Georgia will be relaxed, 
for now anyway, to help support the nursery industry and efforts by the public to establish new plantings of trees and shrubs. Governor Perdue also is set to sign a new state water bill today that Georgia agriculture industry leaders have been very involved in helping to develop. In the reports posted herein, hear Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s comments to the media (mp3)right after he spoke to the GAC breakfast this morning. Also hear 
comments from Georgia Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association Exec Charles Hall (mp3) 
including an update about a referendum deadline coming up for GA Vegetable producers to vote on a new marketing order; Georgia Farm Bureau President Vincent ‘Zippy’ Duvall comments (mp3) on the water bill and other present concerns for Georgia agriculture; and GA Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin also offers comments (mp3) for our listeners, speaking to us just before the GAC breakfast this morning. Also to see who’s in these photos, just place your cursor over each photo and the cut line will appear.
January 7, 2008
Little Damage Reported From Cold
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association reports that growers generally escaped significant crop damage from last week’s cold spell.
Report (:45 mp3)
January 2, 2008
USDA Radio Covers FL Freeze
Here is a radio newsclip from USDA’s radio team in Washington D. C. featuring this week’s Florida freeze. The USDA newsline is a service to the nation’s radio broadcasters, so this newsclip is fed to hundreds of broadcasters throughout the country. Report (2:00 mp3)
Citrus Deals With Cold Weather Too
IT’S COLD IN FLORIDA and nobody is more aware of it than Florida’s citrus & veggie growers! In these reports, more comments from Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson regarding the reasons behind the lifting of certain trucking restrictions for agriculture movement.
Report (2:00 mp3) Report (2:00 mp3)
This post sponsored by:
FL Cold Weather Irrigation Recordkeeping Reminder
This reminder in this afternoon from Florida Farm Bureau: Remember to report your frost/freeze protection water use separate from your usual water use permitted quantities. Crop protection water quantities are calculated outside your normal annual average permitted quantities. Please contact Cara Martin at FFBF if you have any questions (Cara Martin,Asst Dir, Gov & Community Affairs, FFBF, Ph: (727) 856-8649 / Cell: (352) 316-2382 . The Southwest Florida Water Management District also provides agricultural related information on their website at: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/agriculture/
FL Trucking Restrictions Eased to Transport Freeze-Vulnerable Crops
TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is alerting the state’s agricultural producers that some highway restrictions have been eased to enable them to quickly harvest and transport crops that are vulnerable to the impending freezing weather conditions. (more…)
December 28, 2007
Cold Front Moving East
Early January looks mild weather-wise for the country, after a cold front moves through this weekend.
Report (1:00 mp3)
Southeast Weather Stories in 2007
2007 was a year of weather extremes in the southeast, from a late spring freeze to a record drought.
Report (1:00 mp3)
December 11, 2007
Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) Update
Citrus Industry Magazine editor Ernie Neff was on hand in Tavares this week for a meeting about this unique internet-based weather information reporting service. Learn more from the FAWN website. Report (2:00 mp3)
December 4, 2007
Drought Disaster Declaration
The latest drought disaster declaration from the US Department of Agriculture makes agricultural producers in every county in Florida, plus some in Georgia and Alabama, eligible for low interest loans. The primary disaster declaration is for 58 Florida counties, but the other nine counties are also eligible because they are contiguous. Another five counties in Alabama and 11 in Georgia also fall under that category.
Report(1:00 mp3)
October 9, 2007
La Nina Watch Issued for AL, FL, & GA
There has been talk of a possible La Nina affecting the Southeast this winter, and now climatologists have issued a watch which means the development of one is likely. Report (1:35 mp3)
August 21, 2007
The scorching temperatures continued around the state last week, according to USDA’s Ag Statistics Service, and conditions for cotton and peanuts are slipping in the southeast.August 16, 2007
Problem with Current Farm Policy
This year is shaping up to be a prime example of the problem with current farm policy that tends to pay farmers more when prices are low but production is very high.
Report (1:00 mp3)
August 15, 2007
August 8, 2007
Lake O Levels Cause Concern
Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson says consumers will see food prices increase and the state face serious economic consequences if the prolonged drought in southeast Florida continues. Total statewide economic losses have already topped an estimated $100 million this year, and are expected to surpass $1 billion over the next two years if the current situation is not altered.
Report (1:00 mp3)
July 31, 2007
AL Drought Meetings
Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks will be visiting with Alabama farmers who have suffered damages due to the drought on Wednesday, August 8th at three stops across the state. The purpose of the meetings will be to assess drought conditions in the different growing regions of Alabama, facilitate dialogue with growers on current conditions and imminent needs, and update growers on the status of state and federal drought assistance relief efforts.
Along with Sparks, Department of Agriculture and Industries Deputy Commissioner Ronnie Murphy, President and CEO of Alabama Farmers Cooperative Tommy Paulk, Executive Director of the Alabama Farmers Federation Mike Kilgore and representatives from Monsanto will be a part of the tour. Below is a schedule of the meetings:
9:00AM – 10:15AM Tennessee Valley Research & Ext. Center Decatur, AL
12:00PM – 2:00PM Alabama Dept. of Agriculture & Industries Montgomery, AL
4:00PM – 5:15PM Wiregrass Research & Extension Center Headland, AL
Report (1:00 mp3)
June 8, 2007
FL AgNet Week in Review June 8, 2007
In this weeks podcast, Florida State Agricultural Response Team (SART) meets to prepare for hurricane season, 7 Florida counties are declared disasterous, rainy weather is welcomed by all, the Florida legislature looks at county extension, and Florida Citrus Mutual holds the 3rd annual Florida Citrus Industry Conference.
To hear Florida’s weekly reviews subscribe to our podcast .
June 4, 2007
FL Counties Designated Disaster Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated seven Florida counties primary natural disaster areas.
Palm Beach County was designated a primary natural disaster area because of freezing temperatures that occurred in February. Also eligible because they are contiguous are Broward, Hendry and Martin counties.
Highlands, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Okeechobee and Taylor counties were designated primary natural disaster areas because of continuous drought conditions. Contiguous counties are also eligible.
Report (1:00 mp3)
SART Prepares for Hurricane Season
The Florida State Agricultural Response Team kicked off the new hurricane season by hosting its first annual statewide training conference last week in St. Petersburg. Among the agencies participating was USDA’s state Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Report (1:00 mp3)
June 1, 2007
FL AgNet Week in Review June 1, 2007
In this weeks podcast, ranchers are encouraged to be aware of the possiblility for Tropical Soda Apple when purchasing hay, the Florida Forestry Industry shoots for number 1, May 31 was the last day for citrus canker insurance coverage, and the drought’s effect on Lake Okeechobee.
To hear Florida’s weekly reviews subscribe to our podcast .
Cotton Growers Dry
Georgia Cotton Commission executive director Richey Seaton says the dry weather is a serious situation for cotton growers.
Report (1:00 mp3)
May 31, 2007
Dry Lake Okeechobee
Low water levels in Lake Okeechobee and continued dry weather is getting national media coverage, with no relief in sight. Water levels in Lake Okeechobee are expected to drop below the record of just under nine feet on Thursday, according to the South Florida Water Management district, making this the worst drought on record.
Report (1:00 wma)
May 24, 2007
Disaster Designations
As drought conditions continue in the Southeast, USDA has declared 152 Georgia counties and 41 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to unseasonably low temperatures, frost and freezing conditions that occurred from April 6, 2007, through April 8, 2007.
In addition, nine North Florida counties and 10 Alabama counties are included in the Georgia declaration because they are contiguous. The declaration allows farmers in those areas to be eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency.
Click here for more information on counties included in the Georgia declaration.
Click here for more information on counties included in the Alabama declaration.
GA Report (1:00 wma)
AL Report (1:00 wma)
FL Report (1:00 wma)
May 23, 2007
FL Commissioner’s Spotlight
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson talks about the Division of Forestry calling for an end to the burning of all yard waste by homeowners.
More information about yard trash burning can be found on this web page: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2007/05082007.html.
A daily report on Florida’s wildfires can be found on the Division of Forestry’s web site.
Report (1:00 wma)
May 11, 2007
FL AgNet Week in Review May 11, 2007
In this week’s report, Gary Cooper talks with Congressman Adam Putnam on specialty crops, Florida growers visit Brazil and Argentina, a Plant Material Workshop is planned for next week, the current Florida drought, and Florida Legislature plans for a special session.
To hear Florida’s weekly reviews subscribe to our podcast .
