The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) dropped another 2 million boxes from the January forecast for Florida’s orange crop but added 200,000 boxes to the state’s grapefruit projection. ORANGESFlorida’s total orange crop is now forecast at 54 million boxes, down 4 percent from 56 million boxes in December. The orange reduction was in the non-Valencia …
Blueberry Producers Have Their Say
Blueberry growers and industry leaders in the Southeast had their say on Tuesday about unfair trade practices regarding imports from foreign countries, including Mexico. They testified during a virtual hearing with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding a global safeguard investigation into fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries. Jerome Crosby, Georgia blueberry grower and chairman of the American Blueberry Growers …
U.S. Blueberry Farmers Testify to ITC of Import Harm
Blueberry farmers from across the United States are asking the ITC for temporary relief from a surge in imports that are harming the domestic industry WASHINGTON, January 12, 2021 – Members of the American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA), a group representing U.S. domestic blueberry farmers, today provided information to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) during a hearing on the …
Fried Speaks During ITC Blueberry Hearing
Nikki Fried, Florida Ag Commissioner, testified on Tuesday during a virtual hearing with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding a global safeguard investigation into fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries. The investigation centers on unfair trade practices regarding blueberry imports from foreign countries, including Mexico. Fried stated that Florida has a $62.3 million blueberry industry but its market share has …
Southeast Agriculture Well Represented on House Ag Committee
Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., believes the 117th Congress yields a positive outlook for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Prominent Georgians are represented on the House Ag Committee. The committee is empowered with legislative oversight relating to the U.S. agriculture industry, forestry, nutrition …
Peach Varieties Susceptible to Bacterial Spot Disease
Susceptible peach varieties make bacterial spot disease a problem that continues to linger for growers in the Southeast. That was a message that Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, presented during last week’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. “A lot of the varieties that people really want the fruit from are susceptible. Unfortunately, that’s the reality. …
UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Virtual Workshop available Jan. 11
By Brad Buck The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program is launching a virtual workshop with research and program updates, available online beginning Jan. 11 for $40. The workshop consists of a collection of pre-recorded lectures and prepared documents available for on-demand viewing. In addition to the virtual delivery, there are opportunities to engage with experts from UF/IFAS. As the two-year …
ITC Hearing a Story of David vs. Goliath
One agricultural lobbyist believes next Tuesday’s hearing with the International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding blueberry imports is a “story of David and Goliath.” Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., believes the American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA) has a strong case to make to the ITC against the …
SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Concludes Today
This year’s virtual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference ends today with hopes of returning to an in-person format in 2022. Charles Hall, Executive Director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, believes the educational sessions that were offered over the course of the three-day event are invaluable for producers this year and moving forward in upcoming growing seasons. …
Blueberry Meeting with ITC Set for Jan. 12
Blueberry growers will soon have a chance to make their case against unfair trade practices from Mexico and other countries. Jerome Crosby, Georgia blueberry grower and chairman of the American Blueberry Growers Alliance, confirmed on Tuesday during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference that the group will present their case to the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Tuesday, Jan. …