U.S. blueberries have gone global, making a splash in India at a Blueberry Cocktail event. Donald Van De Werken, proprietor at JD Farms, said the event was a huge success. According to a report from Bollywood Town, Glocal Junction, Andheri, a new-age dining and bar concept incorporating global and local elements, hosted the event. Food and drinks made with U.S. …
U.S. Blueberries Making an Impact in India
By Alison DeLoach Blueberries have recently become a very popular and healthy snack option in India. Anusaya Fresh, a U.S. distributor of frozen blueberries, is releasing product at Global Junction in Andheri, Mumbai. According to the Food and Beverage News website, FnBnews.com, Anusaya Fresh, JD Farms and Rajv Khinchi will be working together to launch the Blueberry Cocktail event. Dinesh …
Management Methods for Flower Thrips
By Alison DeLoach Since flower thrips have been causing concerns for Georgia’s blueberry growers, the pest was a topic discussed at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. At the conference, Renee Allen, area blueberry agent with the University of Georgia (UGA), presented research on flower thrips and management recommendations for growers. According to Allen, research was conducted in New …
Natural Gall Midge Management in Blueberries
By Alison DeLoach Gall midge has been wreaking havoc in blueberry crops across the Southeast. However, introducing more insects into your production system could help solve the problem. Renee Allen, area blueberry agent with University of Georgia Extension, recently spoke about the advantages of using beneficial insects that are natural enemies of blueberry gall midge. Blueberry gall midge destroys the …
FBGA President Reflects on 2018
For the Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA), 2018 was a big year legislatively. Brittany Lee, FBGA president, says the association worked hard this year to give a voice to the Florida blueberry industry. One of the association’s main focuses this year dealt with the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program. Lee says she and her colleagues worked closely with their local …
Farm Bill Helps Pave Way for Hemp Production
The farm bill has passed through the House and the Senate and received President Trump’s signature on Dec. 20. While some agricultural industries were let down, other industries may have an opportunity to thrive. According to Jerry Fankhauser, assistant director of the University of Florida’s Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the farm bill includes language that will take industrial hemp off …
Southeastern Agriculture Well Represented at PMA Fresh Summit
The Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) annual Fresh Summit took place Oct. 17-19 in Orlando, Florida. Every year, this huge summit brings members of the global produce and floral industries together to make connections and mingle with fellow industry professionals. Every year, southeastern agriculture has a huge presence at the summit, most notably in the Fresh from Florida and Georgia Grown …
Improving Mechanical Harvesting of Fresh-Market Blueberries
By Fumiomi Takeda The growth of the blueberry industry in the past three decades has been remarkably robust. For the blueberry industry to remain competitive and sustainable, growers are seeking solutions to ever-increasing problems with labor shortages and rising labor costs for harvesting blueberries by hand. More growers are now using over-the-row (OTR) mechanical harvesters to pick blueberries for the …
Georgia Produce Industry Disappointed by U.S.-Mexico Trade Deal
A deal that could be the beginning of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 2.0 was made between the United States and Mexico earlier this week. Although this may look good for NAFTA renegotiation talks, Georgia produce growers are not happy about the deal and what it could mean for NAFTA going forward. Charles Hall, executive director of the …
Sneak Peek: September VSCNews Magazine
The September issue of VSCNews magazine is packed with harvest-related information. University of Florida (UF) researchers Jeff Brecht and Steve Sargent provide the best methods for tuning up your packing and cooling facilities. The authors share some tips to ensure your product can flow smoothly through your facility. Florida watermelons faced a tough season, but higher market prices may save …