Keep fighting pests

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TOMATOES — F.O.B.S AS OF MAY 14

CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA DISTRICTS — Shipments (433-454-398) — Movement expected to increase. Trading moderate. Prices 5x6s higher, others lower. Extra services included. 25-pound cartons loose mature-greens 85% U.S. 1 or better 5x6s $8.95-9.95, 6x6s $7.95-8.95, 6x7s $7.95-8.95. Quality generally good.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH NOGALES, ARIZ. — Crossings (152-146-159, greenhouse 124-123-137, vine-ripes 28-23-22) — Movement expected to decrease seasonally. Supplies 4x4 to 4x5s light. Trading 4x4 to 4x5s fairly active, others slow. Prices 4x4 to 4x5s higher, others generally unchanged. Field-grown and greenhouse cartons/flats two-layer 4x4s mostly $9-10, 4x5s mostly $7.95-9, 5x5s mostly $4.99-5, 5x6s $4.64-5. Quality variable.

MEXICO CROSSINGS THROUGH OTAY MESA, CALIF. — Crossings (8-8-11, greenhouse 7-7-9, vine-ripes 1-1-2) — Movement expected to increase seasonally. Supplies in too few hands to establish a market. Quality generally good. The first f.o.b. report was expected to be issued the week of May 21.

WEST FLORIDA DISTRICT — Shipments (0-0-0) — Light harvest expected to start the week of May 28. Expect first f.o.b. by the first week of June.

U.S. SHIPPING POINTS — Greenhouse (54-56-**) — No prices reported. **unavailable

CANADA SHIPPING POINTS — Greenhouse (149*-150-**) — No prices reported. **unavailable, *revised

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Home > Fruits > Grapefruit > Keep fighting pests

Grapefruit

01/20/2012
The Packer Editorial Board

Federal, state, local — whatever the level of government — executives and legislators across the U.S. are searching for ways to trim fat from overburdened budgets.

But when it comes to programs that protect fruits and vegetables from pests, they should put the knives down.

Recent news makes that abundantly clear.

Citrus greening, also called HLB, the disease that has destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of citrus in Florida, has been found in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. Story, A1

That comes on the heels of reports that California could cut another $12 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture budget, threatening its anti-pest programs. About $19 million has already been cut from the department’s fiscal 2013 budget. Story, A6

The cuts could include $4.4 million from the state’s border inspection program, which helps keep greening-bearing psyllids and other pests out of the U.S.

The Florida, Texas, California and Arizona citrus industries have all worked hard and at times pooled their efforts in the fight citrus greening, which has yet to show up in Arizona and California.

Because of the recession and its subsequent effects on government revenues, tough choices are being made.

Industry should pay its fair share, and citrus experts know a lot better than government how best to allocate resources.

But even in tough fiscal times, governments cannot afford to stand by while greening and other pest-related problems pose such grave threats to U.S. growers.

The long-term effects of not fighting pests and diseases would be devastating.

Did The Packer get it right? Leave a comment and tell us your opinion.

Federal, state, local — whatever the level of government — executives and legislators across the U.S. are searching for ways to trim fat from overburdened budgets.

But when it comes to programs that protect fruits and vegetables from pests, they should put the knives down.

Recent news makes that abundantly clear.

Citrus greening, also called HLB, the disease that has destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of citrus in Florida, has been found in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.

That comes on the heels of reports that California could cut another $12 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture budget, threatening its anti-pest programs.

About $19 million has already been cut from the department’s fiscal 2013 budget.