Auburn Economist Encouraged by Federal Agencies’ Plan of Action

Web AdminExports/Imports, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts, Trade

One economist in the Southeast is encouraged by the plan to address the threat of increased foreign imports to U.S. producers of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Adam Rabinowitz, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist, believes the hearings held in August for Florida and Georgia producers opened communications and led to a report released by the Office of the U.S. …

Commissioner Black Pleased with Announcement from USTR

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Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black is pleased farmers and agricultural leaders have a seat at the decision-making table again. The agreement to have the August hearings that focused on unfair trade practices involving foreign produce and included testimonies from farmers and industry leaders from Florida and Georgia was a “positive step,” he said. This led to a plan of action, …

Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association Commends USTR

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MAITLAND, FL (Sept. 1, 2020) – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association commended the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce on Tuesday for their plan to begin remedying the immense harm to produce growers in Florida and elsewhere caused by unfair trade practices and harmful import volumes from Mexico and other …

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Fried Issues Statement on USTR Announcement on Mexico’s Trade Practices

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Tallahassee, Fla. – After Tuesday’s announcement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the administration’s plan to address the threat posed by unfair trade practices and increased foreign imports, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried issued the following statement: “I appreciate the USTR’s recognition of the decades-long suffering endured by both Florida and America’s seasonal producers due to unfair Mexican trade practices — this …

Alabama Hemp Producers Tripled From Last Year

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The number of Alabama hemp producers has tripled this year. However, that does not necessarily mean acreage has increased as well, says Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “Last year we had, just for comparison, about 150 licensed growers approved for 10,000 total acres. According to the (Alabama) Department of Ag, they think about 7,000 of those …

Brilliance Variety Popular Choice as Strawberry Planting Season Nears

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Florida producers will soon be planting strawberries in a few weeks. The popular variety choice this year is expected to be Brilliance, says Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, . Released in 2017, Brilliance provides growers fruit early in the season. It’s a desirable trait not all varieties are able to …

Proper Sanitation Remains Key Management Tactic Against Whiteflies

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One of the best management tactics for vegetable growers when dealing with whitefly infestations is to get rid of any plants left in the field once harvest season is done. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks continues to preach proper sanitation to producers amid the worst whitefly outbreak in Georgia since 2017. “This is really for all …

Federal Agencies Outline Plan to Help Farmers of Seasonal and Perishable Fruits and Vegetables

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Washington, DC — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce released a report today outlining the Trump Administration’s plan to address the threat posed by increased foreign imports to American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables. The plan follows public hearings held in August where more than 60 witnesses …

Clemson Extension to Hold Virtual Strawberry Meeting

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Clemson Extension will host a virtual strawberry production meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. The Strawberry Grower 101 meeting will be geared towards new or beginning growers. Topics to be covered included cost and economics, timeline, plant selection and varieties available and fertility. Those interested can click here to register. All Clemson University sponsored in-person events have been …

Tomato Industry Expert: Inspections Running Smoothly

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Though Mexican exports of tomatoes have not reached the ‘peak’ season, inspections appear to be running smoothly and efficiently, says Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. The inspection provision, which was part of the Tomato Suspension Agreement established in September, 2019 between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Mexican tomato exporters, allows for the United States …