Dumping Produce: Mexican Imports Flooding Market

Web AdminExports/Imports, Top Posts

It is the same old story that Florida producers have, unfortunately, grown accustomed to. Another week, another dose of vegetable imports from Mexico that diminish market prices. Florida farmers continue to take the brunt of financial punishment. Gene McAvoy, University of Florida Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus, confirmed the dire news that Mexican produce continues to flood the American …

What’s Next? Georgia Producer Concerned About Future of American Farmer

Web AdminFlorida, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

Georgia vegetable producer Sam Watson may not be a blueberry farmer, but he had a vested interest in the International Trade Commission’s recent decision regarding the impact of blueberry imports. Watson, like his farming brethren, was disappointed that the ITC did not find that imports do have a significant injury to the domestic industry. “It’s just really frustrating and disheartening. …

Sneak Peek: March 2021 VSCNews Magazine

Web AdminTop Posts, VSCNews magazine

The March issue of VSCNews Magazine targets the best pest management practices for growers. Asian vegetable production is blooming in Florida. As the industry flourishes, so are nematodes. Since most Asian vegetable crops do not have a pesticide label, researchers from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) investigate non-chemical nematode management methods to control the …

Georgia Watermelon Producer: We’re Not Panicking Yet

Web AdminGeorgia, Top Posts, Watermelon

Georgia watermelon producers are not concerned about how excessive rains in February will impact their plantings in March – not yet anyway. Dick Minor, with Minor Produce Inc. in Andersonville, Georgia, says Georgia watermelon farmers are still weeks away from needing to get in the field to plant this year’s crop. “We’re still a couple of weeks at the earliest …

Wage Increase: H-2A Workers Receiving Bump in Hourly Rate

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

Southeast producers who utilize the H-2A program finally know what the minimum wage is they must pay in 2021. The USDA Farm Labor Survey revealed that wage rates for H-2A labor are increasing at an average rate of 4.5% or $0.63 per hour across the country. For the Southeast, though, those levels are much lower. Florida’s wages will increase by …

Additional Despair: USITC Blueberry Verdict a Sign for Vegetable Producers?

Web AdminExports/Imports, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

The U.S. International Trade Commission’s (USITC) decision regarding blueberry imports dealt a disheartening and devastating blow to Southeast producers claiming serious injury to the domestic industry. But does the verdict foreshadow additional despair for vegetable farmers who are also claiming imports have hurt their respective commodities; namely, squash, peppers and cucumbers? “There is concern. Each case is kind of held …

Choosing Cover Crops for Nematode Management

Web AdminOrganic, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Johan Desaeger Cover crops are one of the more practical options for nematode management as their use is already common practice for many growers. The subtropical climate in Florida and the southeastern United States allows growers to plant crops year-round, and cover crops have been an important component of Florida’s agro-ecosystems since its early days of agriculture. Until the …

Presidential Authority: Final Decision Regarding Blueberry Imports Rests with Biden Administration

Web AdminBerries, Exports/Imports, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts, Trade

The American Blueberry Growers Alliance’s (ABGA) stance on imports has not changed over the years: serious injury has been inflicted on American farmers, especially those in Florida and Georgia. But where does President Biden stand on this issue? That’s the stance that will ultimately decide the Section 201 investigation regarding blueberry imports. Even if the International Trade Commission (ITC) decides …

Green Point Research Cannabis Center of Excellence Hosts Ribbon-Cutting

Web AdminFlorida, Hemp, Top Posts

JASPER, Fla. — Green Point Research, an international phytocannabinoid-rich biomass originator and processor, celebrated the official opening of its Hamilton County headquarters and 32-acre Cannabis Center of Excellence (CCoE) with a ribbon-cutting event held in partnership with Hamilton County Board of Commissioners and Hamilton County Economic Development Authority (EDA), and North Florida Economic Development Partnership. The event came just several …