This week the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after members of Congress requested an examination of certain issues in a Sept. 8, 2022, Section 301 petition. The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) released …
Pecans’ International Future a Present Concern
By Clint Thompson The future of global trade in pecans is currently on the minds of pecan industry leaders. What will Mexico’s growing industry look like in a few years? Will the U.S. relationship with India improve so producers can better take advantage of its huge market? Those are questions that Samantha McLeod, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers …
Natural Disasters: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
By Clint Thompson Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. That should be the mindset of specialty crop producers, especially in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Farmers should always be prepared for the next natural disaster. In the Southeast, that may come in a variety of forms, says Bart Hester, agent with Country Financial in Moultrie, Georgia. He discussed …
AI Center Coming to Gulf Coast Research and Education Center
To protect crop yields and the environment, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is increasingly leveraging powerful tools such as technology driven by artificial intelligence (AI). In an effort to expedite such development, UF/IFAS will build a 19,000-square-foot AI hub at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm, about 25 miles southeast …
Nutrition Standards Change Increased Fruits, Vegetables in School Meals
From National Association of Farm Broadcasters A change in the school meal nutrition standards in 2012 was a win for the specialty crop industry. It spurred changed in the type of foods that schools purchased, which increased fruits and vegetables. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released data on Monday that shows following the change in standards, schools …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update – 10/24/22 Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “Temperatures turned cool for a few days in the Midlands this past week. We had two consecutive days where the low temperature was under 35 (degrees Fahrenheit) in Lexington …
USTR, USDA, to Pursue Avenues to Assist Seasonal Produce
WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on Sunday that it will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) after Members of Congress requested an examination of certain issues in a Sept. 8, 2022, Section 301 petition. Southeast producers have faced challenges, which …
Drive-Through Field Day Gives a Glimpse at Millennium Block
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce hosted a drive-through field day for attendees to tour its Millennium block. The grove features more than 5,500 2- and 3-year-old trees. A total of 154 new citrus scion/rootstock combinations are included in the research project. The trial has …
Florida Ag Commissioner Statement on Initial Ian Damage Estimate
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) released a preliminary assessment of agricultural production losses associated with Hurricane Ian. The report estimates a potential loss of up to $1.56 billion for Florida producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) is expected to release its own findings later this week. “After speaking with producers and seeing the …
AFBF Establishes 2023 Farm Bill Priorities
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its priorities for the 2023 farm bill. The priorities were identified by a working group of Farm Bureau members and staff from across the country. AFBF’s overarching priorities include: Continuing current farm bill program funding; Maintaining a unified farm bill that includes nutrition programs and farm programs together; Prioritizing risk management tools …