Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried submitted written testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, urging Congress to address unfair foreign trade practices causing decades-long harm to Florida farmers and the lack of protections for the domestic seasonal produce industry. “Our state’s fruit and vegetable farming …
Ag Hearing Highlights Need to Address Trade Barriers, Impacting Georgia Farmers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) called on his Senate colleagues on Thursday to quickly consider and confirm nominees for two agricultural trade leadership positions within the administration to address trade concerns and reduce trade barriers faced by Georgia farmers. Senator Warnock’s call for action came during the first hearing of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry’s Subcommittee on …
Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade
Sen. Warnock’s Prepared Opening Statement for Today’s Hearing The Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade will hold a hearing today at 11 a.m. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (GA) chairs the subcommittee. He prepared an opening statement: “Today’s hearing, titled ‘Agricultural Trade: Priorities and Issues Facing America’s Farmers,’ is an opportunity for members of this Subcommittee to hear …
Fresh Vegetable Trade Volume Up in 2021
Fresh vegetable trade volume was up in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. The United States remained a net importer of fresh-market vegetables in volume and value terms. The value of imports increased 5% to $10.4 billion, while the value of exports increased 3% to $2.4 billion. Import value grew 81% over the past decade, …
Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Lingering Impact on Farmers
By Clint Thompson The longer the conflict in the Ukraine lingers the added impact it will have on input costs farmers are forced to pay, mainly for fertilizer. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), discusses the situation. “I think what this last year and the last couple of months in particular have pointed out, these are globally …
Budgeting for Specialty Crop Success
By Clint Thompson At a time when input prices are historically high and availability a serious concern for specialty crop producers, growers need to ensure budgeting is a priority for the spring season. Jessie Rowan, Alabama regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, discusses the importance of understanding and planning for the different expenses. …
Florida Watermelon Producer Discusses Inputs, Looming Market Prices
By Clint Thompson Florida Watermelon harvests are about to commence. One producer has done all he can to keep his crop clean this season, even if input costs rose to new heights. “I’ve got no disease pressure, no bug pressure. We spray them every seven days. You sit back and wonder if we’re wasting money because there’s nothing wrong with …
CP Shutdown Another Potential Blow to Agriculture
By Clint Thompson The ongoing labor dispute that shut down the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway on Sunday could have a ripple effect down to the specialty crop sector in the Southeast. Andrew Walmsley, senior director for congressional relations at American Farm Bureau Federation, said the shutdown means approximately 140,000 barrels of oil are not being shipped out daily. Fertilizer shipments, …
Inputs a Major Concern for Potato Producers
By Clint Thompson Potato producers are not immune to the supply chain woes befallen other specialty crops. Kam Quarles, Chief executive officer of the National Potato Council, discusses the issues that are concerning to the potato sector. “For this past year, it’s been a really tight market. I think the challenge going forward is in regard to inputs. Fertilizer prices …
Decision Protects Florida Tomato Growers
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement after the U.S Department of Commerce rejected a request to exempt certain greenhouse-grown specialty tomatoes in Mexico from the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement. This agreement was put in place to provide relief to domestic tomato growers against unfair trade practices. Exempting specialty tomatoes grown in Mexico from the Tomato Suspension Agreement …