By Vasileios Liakos and George Vellidis Ample water is a critical input needed to grow high-yielding, high-quality crops. Today, irrigated agriculture represents 20 percent of the total cultivated land, but contributes 40 percent of the total food produced worldwide. Due to overuse, droughts and growing demand by urban and industrial users, competition for available fresh water supplies is rapidly increasing. …
Preparing for Farm Technology
The world of artificial intelligence, robots and big data is upon us, and agriculture will not be left out. Nobody knows this better than Vonnie Estes, vice president of technology at the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). Her job is to work with farmers nationwide to help them learn how to adopt such technologies. Estes also serves as a resource for …
Judge to Hear Arguments in ‘Water War’
Going along with a request from Florida’s attorneys, a federal judge will hear arguments in December in a long-running water war between Florida and Georgia. Senior U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Paul J. Kelly, who was appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to serve as a special master in the case, has scheduled oral arguments Dec. 16, according to …
Southeastern Growers Unite at USMCA Meeting
On July 30, farmers and industry leaders from throughout the Southeast gathered in Lake City, Florida, to discuss the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the lack of protection for Southeastern produce growers struggling to keep up with heavy Mexican competition. “The fight is real,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried in an exclusive interview with AgNet Media Founder and President …
Sneak Peek: August 2019 VSCNews Magazine
The August issue of VSCNews magazine explores the latest technology and surrounding issues facing the modern grower. Yiannis Ampatzidis, assistant professor with the University of Florida (UF), discusses up-and-coming smart sprayer technology. He breaks down how the technology works and how it could help growers cut costs. Water is one of the most important ingredients to a healthy crop and …
Everett Griner Bids Farewell to Farm Broadcasting
Imagine being so passionate about your work that you never want to retire. That’s how Everett Griner feels about broadcasting. But at age 92, he has decided to turn off his microphone and hang it up for good. BACK TO THE BEGINNINGS Griner has been all around the world, thanks to his military experience. In the 1940s, instead of going …
2019 Legislative Sessions Wrap-Up
The 2019 legislative sessions in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have officially ended. Each year, agriculture advocates from all three states work tirelessly to fight for their industry. This article serves as a summary of how agriculture fared in the Florida, Georgia and Alabama sessions. Florida: Some Success, but More Work to Be Done By Adam Basford Going into the 2019 …
Providing Hemp Information
As hemp hype continues to grow, finding correct information about the crop can be a difficult task. In a recent interview, CEO of Green Point Research David Hasenauer discusses the nitty-gritty of growing hemp and hemp regulations with AgNewsWire’s Cindy Zimmerman. Listen to the full interview: Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, …
Sneak Peek: July VSCNews Magazine
The 2019 Florida, Georgia and Alabama legislative sessions have officially wrapped up, and the July issue of VSCNews magazine will tell readers how agriculture fared in each state. Adam Basford, director of state legislative affairs for Florida Farm Bureau, discusses the successes and ongoing work in Tallahassee this session. Mary Ann Hooks, director of governmental affairs with the University of …
The 2019 Georgia Watermelon Season Starts
America’s favorite summertime treat in stores now LAGRANGE, GA – Sweet, refreshing Georgia watermelon is in a store near you! The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to Georgia watermelon. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. While initial …