It comes as no surprise to farmers that input prices have increased in recent years. What may be eye-opening is how much expenses like fertilizer costs and gas prices are expected to go up this year. According to the USDA Vegetable and Pulses Outlook: April 2021, growers should expect to pay for most of the inputs required to produce, pack …
Secretary Vilsack Comments on Mexico Supreme Court Potato Ruling
WASHINGTON — Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack commented on Wednesday’s ruling by Mexico’s Supreme Court involving U.S. potatoes. “Mexico’s Supreme Court released a final, unanimous ruling today on a case that puts U.S. fresh potatoes one step closer to finally gaining access to Mexico following nearly 20 years of negotiations. This decision is important for American agriculture and for positive bilateral …
One Year and Counting for Florida Hemp
Tallahassee, Fla. — One year and counting. Thursday, April 27, marked the one-year anniversary of Florida’s state hemp program, overseen by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Of the anniversary, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Friedoffered the following statement: “Florida’s state hemp program is leading the way in creating great jobs, safe and useful products, and a bright future …
Capitalize on Conservation Funding and Enhance Produce Safety
By Kristin Woods Conservation funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) can help growers implement good land stewardship practices in an economically sustainable way. While these practices may affect pathogen movement in the farm environment, they are not meant to reduce produce safety risk. Additional consideration must be given around how implementing specific practices …
Imports Continue to Challenge Cucumber Market
Florida and Georgia remain two of the leading cucumber-producing states in the country. Along with Michigan and North Carolina, they harvest more than 60% of the nation’s fresh market acres, according to USDA Vegetable and Pulses April Outlook. However, imports continue to challenge the two states for market supremacy, accounting for more than three-fourths of domestic availability, up from less …
Mexico Tops List of Importing Countries
Imports of fresh fruits and vegetables continue to flood the U.S. markets and it is only increasing. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, Mexico was the top importer of fresh or frozen fruits as well as fresh or frozen vegetables. Its fruit imports tallied $3.21 billion from October 2020 to February 2021. Its an increase from the $3.03 billion …
Is the ‘US Superna’ Mandarin Hybrid Finally on the Rise in Florida?
With commercial production viability still up for debate, the unique fruit is now in trial blocks for observation in the Sunshine State.
Georgia is Nuts About Pecans
Brian Kemp is nuts about pecans. So is the rest of Georgia for that matter. Just call Georgia the “Pecan State.” Georgia’s Governor designated the pecan as Georgia’s official state nut on Friday at an event at Ellis Brothers Pecans in Vienna. According to the USDA Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, Georgia reclaimed the status as the largest pecan producer …
Secretary of Ag Discusses Timely Issues Facing Southeast Vegetable Producers
Two issues at the forefront of vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast is H-2A and imports from countries like Mexico. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed both issues and sympathizes with growers in the Southeast. “We’re looking at ways in which we’re able to provide some help and assistance to them under the COVID relief packages that were …
GFVGA Briefs Warnock, Bishop on Top Fruit and Vegetable Issues
By Mary Kendall Dixon U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop hosted U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock for a tour of several South Georgia farms on Wednesday, March 31. The congressman coordinated with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, GFVGA, to connect the senator with several Georgia fruit and vegetable farmers, tour their operations and learn about the issues they face as an …