Tag Archives: U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDA Recommended Decision on Federal Milk Marketing Order

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August 2024 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

On July 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced their recommended decision to amend the 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders across the U.S.  Included in the proposed changes are some top priorities for Florida Farm Bureau, such as reverting to the ‘Higher-of’ formula for fluid milk pricing (utilizing the higher monthly price of either cdheese or milk powder, vs. the current formula utilizing the average of these products plus a $.74 adjustment), and increasing location differentials (a portion of the milk price formula that varies based on where the milk is being bottled).

The change to the ‘Average-of’ pricing formula was enacted in the 2018 Farm Bill and has cost the U.S. dairy industry over $1 Billion since that time.  Florida Farm Bureau members and staff attended the American Farm Bureau Federal Milk Marketing Order Forum in August 2022 to represent the interests of Florida dairies, and since that time have advocated for these changes in Congress and during a 49-day national USDA hearing on these issues in Carmel, IN.

While the Recommended Decision does not contain every update that FFBF has sought, the proposed changes should be beneficial to Florida dairies.  The Recommended Decision is followed by a 60-day comment period for stakeholders, after which USDA will have 60 additional days to issue a final rule.  FFBF continues to engage with our state’s dairy farmers to ensure we are able to provide comments that encompass the breadth of input from the industry.

The Giant African Land Snail Detected in South Florida

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September 2023 FloridAgriculture eNewsletter

The Giant African Land Snail (GALS) has been detected in South Florida after two previous eradications in the state. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the most recent population of GALS has been found in Pasco County and have a lighter flesh compared to the previous GALS.

The snail was first introduced to South Florida in the 1960s and was then eradicated in 1975. It was later eradicated in 2021 from a detection in 2011. They are typically introduced through illegal imports to be used as pets or food.

Quarantines have been placed in Pasco, Lee and Broward counties. Although this quarantine is in place, it is unlawful to move these snails without a compliance agreement. The primary treatment for this pest is the pesticide Metaldehyde, which is applied to the ground around plants and disrupts the mucus production of GALS, causing dehydration, and ultimately death. The USDA recommends using extreme caution around GALS.  If it is necessary to handle a snail, wear gloves and wash your hands afterward. If you live in an area where this pest is found, wash fresh produce thoroughly and avoid consuming uncooked vegetables.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) the snail eats and destroys over 500 types of plants, which threatens Florida’s agriculture and natural areas. When plants are unavailable, the snail has been known to eat paint and stucco off of South Florida homes. They can grow up to eight inches long and five inches wide, which is roughly the size of a human fist. Additionally, they carry a parasite called rat lungworm, which causes meningitis in humans. Because the snail has no natural enemies and reproduces very quickly, they are a serious risk to Florida’s natural resources and population.

FDACS has many resources to help Floridians control these invasive species and protect Florida’s natural areas. Click here to learn more.