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 …
Tasty Treats: BASF Emphasizing Flavor with Melon Varieties
BASF remains committed to improving melon varieties with an emphasis on flavor. Matthew DeCeault, produce chain specialist at BASF Vegetable Seeds, talked about the challenges that lie ahead with regards to melon research during an American Seed Trade Association webinar. “We’re working on a lot of things. Where we’re really focused is on improvements to flavor. Based off research that …
United Fresh Launches 2021 Produce Industry Compensation Survey
The United Fresh Produce Association launched its 2021 Compensation Survey on Monday for the fresh produce industry. The data collected will be published in a report that will assist produce industry employers in understanding critical compensation benchmarks. For 2021, additions to the survey include two new positions focused on sustainability and a series of questions related to how companies have …
NASDA Seeks Flexibility to Protect Farm Workers, Specialty Crop Industry
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) asked the Department of Agriculture this week for more flexibility in the use of Specialty Crop Block Grants. NASDA seeks additional flexibility in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 to enhance its response to the continued demands COVID-19 places on the industry. NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn stated, “challenges impacting our …
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 …
Managing Medallion: New Strawberry Variety Requires Different Management Tactics
The new Florida Medallion strawberry requires a different management strategy than the other varieties currently on the market. But the rewards are potentially great for Florida growers who choose to produce the latest variety release from the University of Florida/IFAS. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, has a couple of recommendations …