RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has received a $79.6 million USDA block grant to assist producers and woodland owners in 90 counties who suffered losses in 2018-2019 from Hurricanes Florence, Michael and Dorian. The application period runs July 1 to Oct. 1. This program will offer direct payments to eligible poultry/livestock and plasticulture producers. Assistance …
Fresh Vegetable Imports Rose in April
Vegetable imports increased significantly in April compared to previous seasons, according to the USDA Economic Research Service. The value of imports from other countries totaled $1.49 billion in April, compared to $1.25 billion in 2020, $1.275 billion in 2019, $1.162 billion in 2018 and $1.123 billion in 2017. The fresh vegetable imports totaled $907 million in April, up significantly from …
2021 Pecan Season: Same Low Price, Diminished Yields?
By Clint Thompson One of Georgia’s biggest pecan crops in recent years is expected to drop significantly in 2021. Georgia’s crop that netted 147.5 million pounds is only expected to produce about half of that this fall, due to pecan’s alternate bearing cycle, believes University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. That’s not good news for producers who …
CFAP 2 Key Benefit for Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Were your agricultural sales impacted by COVID-19? Why not take advantage of a United States Department of Agriculture program designed to provide aid to growers who struggled during the global pandemic. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP 2, provides financial assistance to producers whose markets were disrupted by COVID-19. This is part of a larger initiative …
Pecan Interest Slows Amid Rising Input Costs, Deflated Market Prices
By Clint Thompson Pecan interest has finally slowed amid rising input costs and a deflated market. Need proof? Just look at the attendance at Tuesday’s Pecan Beginner’s School at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. “The planting of nursery trees over the past year did drop. The number of trees planted, people are still planting, but I think …
Florida Citrus Forecast Continues Improvement
Florida’s citrus forecast for the 2020-21 season continues to improve but lags behind the previous season. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida’s all orange forecast was at 52.7 million boxes 2.37 million tons. This is an improvement of 2% from the previous forecast but still a decrease of 22% from last year’s final utilization. Florida’s early, midseason and …
Rubio, Scott Urge Reimplementation of Prohibition on Chinese Citrus Imports
Florida’s two U.S. Senators implored U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week to re-implement a prohibition on the importation of five varieties of citrus fruits from China. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to Vilsack this week in an effort to protect Florida’s citrus growers. The lletter focused on potentially exposing the state’s …
Pandemic Cover Crop Program Deadline is June 15
By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop producers who utilize cover crops have until Tuesday, June 15 to sign up for the Pandemic Cover Crop Program. The implementation of cover crops requires a long-term investment from the producer. The COVID-19 pandemic provided economic challenges for growers to maintain those cover crop systems. The Pandemic Cover Crop Program, which is offered …
NAP Coverage a Potential Option for Specialty Crop Producers
Alabama Extension reminds vegetable and specialty crop producers about the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) that is in place to provide financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when diminished yields, inventory loss or prevented planting occur as a result of a natural disaster. If growers are unable to get coverage through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management …
UF Strawberry Breeder: ‘Lengthening of Season Good for Industry’
By Clint Thompson A recent production trend is a positive development for Florida strawberry producers. The Sunshine State’s strawberry season is starting earlier and ending later in recent years. That’s a win for producers, said Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “There were some interesting USDA statistics that were out recently …