The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) issued a statement following Thursday’s U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing regarding the impact of imports on the Southeast domestic cucumber and squash crops. The statement read: “Today’s hearing was a positive development in our ongoing efforts to secure trade relief for Florida growers. For decades, unfair trade practices from Mexico and other …
Fresh Produce Association of Americas: Mexico Cannot Be Blamed
Not everyone believes there is a problem with Mexican imports and their impact on the domestic industry. In fact, Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of Americas, believes “Mexico cannot be blamed” for many of the issues Southeast farmers are trying to overcome. “In reality, many of the problems facing the Southeast growers – labor, hurricanes, real estate …
Representative Response: Austin Scott, Darren Soto Pen Letter to ITC
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Austin Scott (R-GA-08) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09) co-led a bipartisan letter to the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Tuesday expressing support for a Section 332 investigation for cucumbers and squash as American specialty crop producers struggle with unfair trade practices that negatively impact operations. “Seasonal cucumber and squash imports from Mexico continue to dramatically impact U.S. …
Voice of Leadership: Congressman Scott Sounds Off on Mexican Imports
How can you stay in business by selling a commodity for less than the inputs required to produce it? While it may sound like simple economics, it’s a financial game that’s just not adding up for many Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers? What’s the ‘X’ factor? Imports from foreign countries like Mexico, Peru and Chile. If they continue to …
Overwhelming: Challenges Mounting for Producers to Stay Afloat
Challenges continue to mount for Southeast produce farmers. There is a fear among producers in Florida and Georgia that one day obstacles like Mexican imports and rising costs will be too much for growers to overcome. It will lead to producers going out of business and this country becoming reliant on foreign countries for food. “An older guy told me …
Winter Showers Bring Spring Heartache?
Lack of Fumigation a Concern for Growers This Production Season? Excessive winter rains threw a monkey wrench into the plans of some Southeast vegetable producers. Farmers were sidelined at a time when they needed to be in the fields applying fumigation and laying plastic. Now, in a race against time to get their plants in the ground and meet their …
War of Deception: Consumer Awareness Key in Support of American Farmers
In the ongoing war between supporting local farmers against the influx of imports, American farmers need consumers to fight back. The significance of where food originates may never be more important than it is right now. With imports continuing to flood markets for various commodities, the end result is farmers contemplating selling their land. Others are wondering what else can …
ABT Infestations: Population Levels Continue to Vary From Farm to Farm
The most recent scouting report for Asian bean thrips (ABT) from the University of Florida/IFAS shows that populations continue to vary from farm to farm and plantings to plantings. Continuous management is necessary since it appears that two modes of action is not sufficient in reducing ABT populations. Most farms in southeastern Hendry County averaged 0.2 ABT per bud and …
Interested in Calabaza? UF/IFAS Scientists Laying Groundwork for Chefs, Growers
By: Lourdes Rodriguez, 954-577-6363 office, 954-242-8439 mobile, rodriguezl@ufl.edu HOMESTEAD, Fla. – A specialty pumpkin traditionally used in Caribbean, South and Central American dishes, has caught the eye of University of Florida scientist Geoffrey Meru. Meru, a vegetable geneticist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center, is leading a multi-institutional project aimed at adding value to the calabaza commodity chain …
Citrus Researchers and Growers Building a Bright Future
New science, technology, practices, and varieties pave the path forward.