Chill hours are no longer a concern for peach growers in Alabama and Georgia. So, what is their biggest worry heading into the spring? “March 28, the full moon in March. We always tend to have some cold in that full moon in March. But with it being later, maybe we’ll be out of the woods and in the clear. …
Victorious Verdict: Blueberry Coalition Applauds ITC Decision
While blueberry farmers and industry leaders were disappointed and disheartened with Thursday’s vote by the International Trade Commission (ITC), the Blueberry Coalition for Progress and Health responded with applause for the ITC. The group issued a statement following the ITC’s unanimous vote in which it deemed that imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not a serious injury to …
Decreased Results: Vegetable Production Down Slightly in 2020
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, vegetable production throughout the country decreased in 2020 from 2019. Production for the 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 720 million cwt, down slightly from 2019. Area harvested last year was 2.33 million acres, down 1% from 2019. The top three vegetables, relating to harvested areas, were sweet corn, tomatoes and …
Saturated Soils: Rainy Winter Provides Hope of No Drought This Summer
Excessive winter rains have kept some Georgia farmers out of the field because of saturated conditions. But they provides hope that a potential summer drought is less likely than originally feared. “We were expecting a more typical La Nina winter which is usually warm and dry in that part of the country. It has not been that way so far …
ITC Blueberry Vote Unanimous
The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) determined on Thursday that fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries are not being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, or the threat of serious injury, to the domestic industry producing an article like or directly competitive with the imported article. The Commission’s determination …
American Blueberry Growers Alliance Statement on ITC Decision
WASHINGTON, February 11, 2021 – The American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA) released the following statement regarding the outcome of Thursday’s International Trade Commission (ITC) verdict regarding the global safeguard investigation into imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries: “The American Blueberry Growers Alliance (ABGA) is disappointed with the decision today by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to find that …
Very Disheartening: GFVGA Executive Director Reacts to ITC Blueberry Imports Verdict
It wasn’t the verdict Charles Hall envisioned. “Very surprised and very, very disappointed,” he said following Thursday’s International Trade Commission (ITC) vote on the Section 201 investigation into serious injury surrounding blueberry imports. The ITC deemed that imports of fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not a serious injury to the domestic industry. It goes against what members of the …
Case Closed: ITC Finds No Serious Injury Regarding Blueberry Imports
Southeast blueberry producers were dealt a blow today regarding the 201 Investigation into serious injury that imports have had on the domestic industry. The U.S. International Trade Commission determined on Thursday via vote that, “fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries are not being imported into the United States in such increased quantities as to be a substantial cause of serious injury, …
Georgia Commercial Grape IPM Meeting
University of Georgia Cooperative Extensions will host a virtual Grape IPM meeting on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Specialists will update farmers and industry leaders on new information you will need for the control of diseases, insects and weeds in 2021 Clark MacAllister and other county agents will be hosting a virtual Grape IPM Meeting on 25 …
Registration Closes Soon for Virtual Georgia Produce Safety Alliance Training
Registration will close soon for the virtual Georgia Produce Safety Alliance Training, which will be held Feb. 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. Registration closes Tuesday, Feb. 16 and is limited to 15 participants. This two-day online workshop is offered to produce growers. The training will cover the standardized curriculum designed by the Produce Safety Alliance, which meets …