Fruit
Stemilt Growers has achieved a three-year Equitable Food Initiative certification at its Quincy, Wash., apple and cherry orchard operation. The company has plans to expand the program, according to a news release.
Some congressional delegates are threatening a government shutdown over hurricane relief funding. Lawmakers in Texas and Florida say the disaster funding plan, which could be attached to the continuous resolution, isn’t enough for their states. Lawmakers need to pass a bill by December 8 to avoid a government shutdown.
With support from U.S. importers and non-specialty crop ag groups, Mexican avocado exporters sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asking for swift action on a May 2016 final rule that approved avocado imports from all of Mexico. The USDA currently allows only Mexican avocados grown in the state of Michoacán state to enter the U.S. The letter said the final rule was based upon a detailed pest-risk analysis that showed expanding the program would not jeopardize the phytosanitary security of U.S. growers.
China Has Its Own Apple Launch That’s Nothing to Do With IPhones
Orange-juice futures in New York are heading for a 15th straight day of losses, the worst rout in records back to 1967.
Growers feel the squeeze as county’s citrus industry drops
Hurricane Irma roared across the gulf coast of Florida as citrus trees sat with full, nearly ripe fruit.
Cranberries might be a staple on Thanksgiving tables, but a glut of U.S. supplies has gotten so large that fruit could be headed to the compost pile.
This year’s U.S. Atlantic hurricane season is officially the most expensive ever.
Produce growers are searching for long-term solutions not just a short-term fix when it comes to agricultural labor. However, lawmakers and the farming community are mixed when it comes to those different solutions. The Ag Guest worker Act, introduced by Chairman Bob Goodlatte cleared the House Judiciary Committee in late October. It’s designed to replace the H-2A Program. That’s not the only piece of legislation floating around Congress. Lawmaker Lamar Smith introduced legislation called the Legal Workforce Act, which could mandate employers to use the e-verify system to check legal status of agricultural employees. It’s a tug-of-war battle to see which piece of legislation proposed at roughly the same time will work for farmers. AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben talked with West Coast produce growers Neil Nagata with Nagata Bros. Farms in Oceanside, Ca., and Al Stehly with Rockwood Ranch in Escondido, Ca., about their challenges and thoughts on potential legislation. Betsy also talked with Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers as well. Listen to the full AgDay segment above.
Food Fight Breaks Out Over Fresh Fruit-and-Vegetable Packaging
The world may produce the least wine this year in half a century,
Producers are one step closer to a new guest worker program designed to get more agricultural labor help to operations. The Ag. Guest Worker Bill barely clearing the House Judiciary committee by a vote of 17 to 16 on Wednesday. The bill is designed to replace the current H2A program.
California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys are continuing to clean up after recent wildfires swept through the area.
Some South Texas pecan crops damaged by Hurricane Harvey
A Rhode Island grower breaks record with massive pumpkin
Florida’s Orange Crop at 76-Year Low Crushed by Hurricane Irma
Florida Orange Crop Seen Plunging to 71-Year Low After Irma
Blueberries are widely recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet, but they can also play a role in fighting cervical cancer.
Two uncharacteristic colors in the world of wine are creating a buzz in an industry that’s been dominated by rosé, red and white.
Another round of lemon harvest will begin soon in southern California.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Pharr, Texas, recently stopped a load of limes containing $1.86 million in cocaine.
Riverside, Calif.-based Index Fresh is partnering with growers in Colombia to bring hass avocados to the U.S. market.
The POM Group of Mississauga Ontario has announced the release of a new line of fresh pomegranate arils, under the Royal brand.
Led by fast-rising imports of cherries, China is claiming a greater share of Chilean stone fruit exports.
The 2019 U.S. cranberry crop is up 1% compared to 2018, according to a new crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Packer’s Tom Karst visits Aug. 14 with Gerrit (Gert) Kema, professor and researcher at Wageningen University in the Netherlands about the recent discovery of Panama disease in Latin America.
(UPDATED, Aug. 13) Plant health officials in Colombia have declared a national emergency after declaring the presence of the banana disease Fusarium wilt tropical race 4 (TR4) in La Guajira.
The 2019 U.S. apple crop is up 4% compared with a year ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s first forecast.
The Flavor Tree Fruit Company will have significant pomegranate volume this year, said Maurice Cameron, sales director of Hanford, Calif.-based company.