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The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has not slowed Wisconsin’s potato industry, said Dana Rady, of the Antigo-based Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association.

Wisconsin potato grower-shippers seemed to be headed into a healthy market as they prepared to dig their first new-crop spuds.

Organic potato sales out of Wisconsin got an early booster shot from the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, although sales later leveled off, suppliers said.

Lone Star Citrus, Mission, Texas, has hired Kevin Roberts to its sales team.

The Packer’s Tom Karst visited Sept. 11 with Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Starr Ranch Growers is supporting sales of Juici apples this fall with the launch of variety-specific social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook.

Apples are on a roll, and that momentum should continue nicely into August and the new crop.

Michigan’s apple harvest is set to begin on time, with early varieties, including Paula red and ginger gold, starting in late August.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, has removed a Mexican fruit fly quarantine area in Harlingen, Texas.

The South Texas Onion Committee is conducting a referendum through the U.S. Department of Agriculture on whether to continue the marketing order.