Southwest (U.S.)

Used Farm Equipment Swindle Alert: BBB Warns Virtual Vendor Vehicle Scams on the Rise

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 16:50:12 GMT

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning used equipment buyers nationwide about another sophisticated scam involving used farm equipment.

This particular grift, according to a press release from BBB, involved a fake online heavy equipment retailer impersonating a legitimate Missouri dealership, Cook Equipment & Trucking (Marble Hill, Mo.).

Buyers from across the U.S., some even from as far away as California and Arizona, reported losing a total of $223,000 after attempting to purchase heavy equipment and farm machinery through fraudulent websites and Facebook Marketplace ads.

Related: Essential Advice for Safely Buying Used Farm Machinery

Victims say they were “ghosted” after wiring money for equipment that never arrived. The BBB does not say whether the victims were able to dispute the fraudulent charges and claw back the proceeds from the scammers.

The reported fraudulent transactions include:

$45,000 for a skid steer loader from a buyer in Oak Hills, Calif.
$32,000 for an excavator from a buyer in Hancock, Mich.
$29,500 for a trailer from a buyer in Amanda, Ohio
$29,000 for a trailer from a buyer in Greenville, N.C.
$28,000 for a skid steer loader from a buyer in Eastman, Wis.
$31,000 for an excavator from a buyer in Des Moines, Iowa.
$29,000 for a skid steer from a buyer in Blue, Ariz.

BBB says the real Cook Equipment & Trucking, a small business operating since 2010, confirmed it has no website and is not affiliated with any online sales. The impersonators registered three fake websites, the most recent on July 14, and continue to run deceptive ads on social media.

“Those shopping for heavy equipment and farm machinery online should do their due diligence so they don’t fall victim to a virtual vehicle vendor scam,” says Michelle L. Corey, president and CEO, BBB St. Louis. “If an item is priced well below market value, that’s a red flag.”

To avoid getting swept up in an online virtual vehicle vendor scam the Better Business Bureau offers these tips:

Research the business at bbb.org or call 888-996-3887
Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true
Verify the website and contact the business directly
Read all terms and understand refund policies
Use a credit card for added protection
Report scams to BBB Scam Tracker, your state attorney general, the FTC, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center , and notify the social media platform where the fraud was discovered

To learn more about how to avoid online fraud in the used equipment auction world, check out BBB’s 2024 study on virtual vehicle vendor scams.

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Goodbye, La Niña? Eric Snodgrass Dissects What the Shift Means for Weather This Spring and Summer

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:23:44 GMT

La Niña is weakening, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) expects neutral conditions to develop in the next month . But even with La Niña fading, meteorologists are still concerned about drought this spring and summer.

NOAA this week said forecasters expect ENSO-neutral conditions to develop in the next month and persist through the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. According to NOAA, La Niña’s signature is cooler-than-average surface water in the east-central tropical Pacific, stronger-than-average trade winds, and drier conditions over the central Pacific.

ENSO-neutral means conditions could be close to average, but Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien’s principal atmospheric scientist, says that doesn’t mean the weather will be normal this spring and summer.

“I do expect changes,” Snodgrass says. “Think about it like this: The previous winter was an El Niño winter, and it was very mild and very wet. So, we got into spring ’24 with tons of moisture. I mean, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota flooded out. Then we had this incredibly dry fall as the La Niña began, and it reached a peak twice. It actually hit a peak in December, and then a secondary peak about a month later at the end of January. It’s been fading ever since. The big question is, as we go into neutral conditions for this upcoming growing season, is it going to be one that paints a picture of precipitation extremes? Did it leave us with any sort of kind of problems from winter that are carrying over?”

Snodgrass says the severe weather outbreaks on Friday, that brought high winds, dust storms and wildfire warnings across the Plains, is a reminder how dry it is in the Southwest.

“We’ve got major pockets of the country that are still dealing with some pretty big drought conditions. It is fading, and that is a signal we have to pay attention to,” Snodgrass says.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey is also concerned about what impact the shifting pattern will have on farmers this spring. But it’s not just the dryness. It’s also the fact areas are getting inundated with rains that could pose problems.

“With this stormy weather pattern in place, that is going to create some difficulty for spring field work in some areas. It looks like the primary storm track may be through parts of the middle of the country extending into the lower Midwest and eventually the interior northeast. That is one area where we already have fairly wet conditions,” Rippey says.

How sea surface temperatures in the Niño-3.4 region of the tropical Pacific changed over the course of all La Niña events since 1950 (gray lines) and 2024-25 (black line). This shows the traditional calculation for Niño-3.4, the monthly temperature compared to the most recent 30-year average (1991–2020 for the 2024 line). By this measure, the La Niña threshold was crossed in December 2024, but La Niña remains weak.

(NOAA)

La Niñas and El Niños Are Strongest in the Winter
Snodgrass points out La Niñas and El Niños are always strongest in Northern Hemisphere’s winter, which means they fade in spring and summer.

While La Niña-like conditions were a trademark in late fall, we didn’t reach the official definition of La Niña until January.

“The atmosphere way back in November was already treating our winter timeframe like a La Niña,” Snodgrass says. So, we were getting the influences of it as it comes in and goes out. And now the question is, what’s it going to do?”

February 2025 sea surface temperature compared to the 1985-1993 average. The surface of the east-central tropical Pacific is slightly below average temperature, but much of the global ocean remains warmer than average.

(NOAA )

“This is a great map to look at,” Snodgrass says, referencing the map above. “If you focus right in the middle, you see the large area of the cooler colors. Our line is now shifting to the central and West Pacific and behind it over by South America. All of the warmer water is beginning to emerge. And that’s what’s killing it because there’s a trade wind across that area from the east to the west. We’re going to watch this fade carefully during the spring. But the question is: Do we get winter’s leftovers?”

What Fueled the Dryness This Winter?
During the winter, Snodgrass points out there was no subtropical jet. That’s what fueled drought in the Southwest and Northwest.

“I’m actually kind of worried about the beginning of April having another shot at cold air after what we’ve been experiencing in March, which has been so very, very mild. Then you say, well, we’ve had so much dry air in place. Are we still worried about more dry air coming back? To be honest, these big storm systems coming through the central U.S., if we could get four, maybe five more of those by early April, we’re going to hate it. It’s nasty weather. It’s not fun, and it’s dangerous, but it returns moisture. That could be part of the mix of things, including the fading of La Niña that could help bring us away from these major early season drought risk scenarios.”

55% of corn production, 46% of soybean production, 33% of the cotton growing area and 27% of the winter wheat production are currently experiencing drought.

(U.S. Drought Monitor )

Growing Drought Concerns
What if it doesn’t? What if we don’t see more of this severe weather hit the Southwest and Plains, and moisture remains absent as we get into the height of spring? Well, the area will enter into the height of the growing season dry and reduce their chances of seeing moisture this summer.

“That’s a box we check every spring,” Snodgrass says. “If the drought monitor saw a reduction in drought over winter, then that gives us a different look for spring. But what we see here is two-thirds of the country in some stage of drought, including the abnormally dry category. But it’s the epicenters of drought that are so concerning. Look at the Western Corn Belt. Look at the Southwest. We just wonder if that funnels into the Mississippi Valley as we go forward.”

At the same time some areas are seeing drought, Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas and the boot heel of Missouri are all experiencing heavy rains and flooding.

“By May 11, I want to know what the drought monitor map looks like. If it looks no different, then I’m going to be sounding alarms going into summer with concerns this will start to creep and move because as soon as we get into the summer weather, all we get is convective storms pop off. And what do they do? They just locally deliver rain - not big broad swaths of it,” Snodgrass says.

Tale of Two Weather Scenarios
He says the forecast leading up to May 11 is a tale of two weather patterns, with the Mississippi River being the dividing line for moisture.

“If you are along it and east of it, I think we’re going to have tight windows to plant. You could include a little bit more of Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota in that as well,” Snodgrass says. “I think we’re going to see repeated storm systems. The best moisture is east. It keeps avoiding that southern plains area.”

What to Watch: Where the Storm Chasers End Up
Snodgrass says if storm chasers are busying chasing severe weather across the Ohio Valley, the mid-south and the southeast, but not in Kansas and the Plains, that’s a key indicator there’s a problem with the moisture getting back into the plains.

“If it’s not there by the time we start June, it’s very difficult to rely on the atmosphere to return it once you get into the summer months if you live in the central plains, which is where they could build from,” he adds.

To watch the complete discussion with Snodgrass, visit Farm Journal TV and take advantage of the free trial.

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Ag Meterologists Worry More Drought Lies Ahead For Spring

Heads up — it’s hatch chili season

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 17:30:52 GMT

If you smell smoke and notice a giant roasting wheel charring peppers on an open flame outside of your favorite grocery store, don’t panic.

Hatch chili season is a cult-favorite August tradition in the Southwest U.S. that brings many out of their air-conditioned bunkers and into grocery store parking lots — and it’s happening now.

Grown in Hatch, N.M., this little pepper’s reach now extends well beyond neighboring states, and many retailers throughout the U.S. are offering the short-season pepper to shoppers — roasted or plain. Hatch chili pepper season is over almost as soon as it begins, typically stretching from early August to mid-September.

Most like Anaheim peppers, moderately spicy, Hatch chili peppers add a delightful smoky kick when diced in everything from chili to quiche to salsa. If you spot these long, vibrant green chilis — whether it’s in the parking lot or produce aisle — it’s worth tossing a bag of the smoky peppers into your cart while you can.

Related news: Crack into your seasonal promotions, Hatch chile style

While Hatch chilis can be enjoyed straight off the pepper plant, roasting the chilis unlocks their smoky-sweet flavor. It also creates a supple texture and makes it easier to remove the outer skin.

Catch a Hatch chili pop up

Whether you’re looking to try your first or 50th roasted hatch chili, # iHatchChile has a state-by-state chili roast finder so you can locate your nearest retailer that is roasting. What’s more, several grocers, like State Bros. Markets, are hosting pop-up events celebrating the Hatch chili.

This year California-based Stater Bros. Markets has teamed up with produce partners Aramburo Produce, Progressive Produce and Westlake Produce to host a series of New Mexico Hatch chili roasting events at several Stater Bros. Markets parking lots from Aug. 5 to Sept. 2.

Related news: ‘Tip of the Iceberg’ podcast — Bristol Farms draws Hatchheads and so can you

During these events, roasting is available free for customers who purchase a 10-pound or 25-pound box, according to a news release.

Roast and enjoy Hatch chili peppers at home

Once you secured an ample supply of roasted green chilis, let them cool on your kitchen countertop while you unpack groceries, as they steam nicely as they cool in a paper bag.

Hatch chilis can be enjoyed immediately, stored in the refrigerator or frozen to be enjoyed well into winter. After the chilis cool, seal in the smoky flavor store in an air-tight plastic bag.

If you’re looking to roast your Hatch chilis at home, they are easy to throw on a grill or simply broil on a baking sheet. Rotate every four to six minutes to ensure an even char on all sides of the spicy pepper.

You can use Hatch chilis as a condiment, stir into salsas, sauces, soups, sautés and stews for an extra smoky kick. Cookbook author Lisa Fain’s Hatch Green Chile Cornbread is a favorite if you’re in the mood to bake. Additionally, Fain’s Texas Pork Green Chili is a go-to for the first cool evenings of early fall nights when a warm chili or stew finally sounds appealing.

South Texas growers expect high-quality, light volume this winter

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 21:33:14 GMT

“For the next seven months, Texas is a great place to source your vegetables, fruit, onions and melons,” Dante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International Produce Association, told The Packer. “Combine Texas-grown with produce crossing from Mexico, you’ve got the whole shopping list in one little area.”

Winter vegetable season is well underway, and South Texas is ramping up for slightly lighter volume early in the season. This soft start is a result of hot and dry summer months that burdened an already tight water supply in Texas, stretching reservoirs thin and reducing soil moisture across the state, Galeazzi said.

“These hot temperatures can be challenging as we start the season, but we’re already starting to see the temperatures cool off a little,” he said. “We’re very fortunate in a sense because things are growing quickly because of those dry, warm temperatures; We’re just looking for a balance.”

Because of the water shortage and dry conditions, Texas acreage is down across commodities this year.

“Buyers can expect smaller supplies,” Galeazzi said. “But the quality is going to be superior, because if you’ve got less acres to look over, you’re going to give more attention to the product you do have.”

Jeff Brechler, head of sales and marketing at Little Bear Produce, said that despite planning water conservation and rationing measures, the Edinburg, Texas-based produce grower and shipper still ran out of water in South Texas irrigation districts.

“We had to scramble around and move plantings, which we were able to do. We started getting some rains [late summer] and they fell in the right area. We’re thankful for what we got, but we didn’t get enough to really get us over the hump,” Brechler said. “All it did was put us back to the level we were prior to conserving and rationing.”

Despite irrigation shortages and dry weather, a deluge of rain in August and September damaged the first fall cabbage crops at Little Bear Produce. Normal supplies of cabbage are expected as early as the second week of December, along with leafy greens, which were unaffected by the rains and maintained a steady supply.

“It’s been a bit of a rocky road,” Brechler said. “Hopefully, this pattern will change, and we’ll get into a bit wetter El Niño pattern. But that’s the life of the farmer, right?”

Once Texas growers recover crops from the summer heat, the focus turns to February. Two years after what has been dubbed the St. Valentine’s Day produce massacre — when many growers completely lost entire crops to an unexpected, extreme freeze — growers are still skittish.

“February seems to be the witching hour,” Brechler said. “Two years in a row we’ve had extreme weather in February. In 2021, it was the Valentine’s Day freeze. And last year we even had some cold damage that came in. As long as we can get through February, I think we’ll be OK.”

Inflation and labor pressures

At TIPA, Galeazzi has witnessed overhead expenses increase for growers this August by an average of about 22% to 23%. Meanwhile, grocery store prices for Texas produce have only seen about an 9% increase, he said.

This results in a 12% to 13% gap that produce growers must bridge, even if expenses and prices remain at this level, which is unlikely. According to Galeazzi, this estimate doesn’t account for rising diesel, fertilizer or labor costs. While the math indicates narrowing profits for growers staying competitive, for better or worse, these challenges are not unique to Texas, he said.

Beyond rising expenses, as costs associated with labor rise, labor shortages continue to worsen for growers throughout the Lone Star State.

“Texas was one of the last states to feel the pinch on labor shortages, and this is likely because we are a border state” Galeazzi said. “But we have felt that pinch.”

The situation has become more and more dire every year, he added.

Little Bear Produce is experiencing the labor shortage firsthand, according to Brechler. The challenge, he said, is finding staffing across the company; The shortage is not limited to one specific type of job.

“It’s just finding labor, period,” said Brechler. “Other folks are dealing with the same issues that we are with labor and, you know, everyone seems to be short-staffed. It’s just a tough period right now.

“The folks on the production floor have been doing a really good job of putting out fires,” he added. “But I think what leads to someone’s success rate has been just the culture of the company. You know, [Little Bear Produce] is a family-owned company … there’s a sense of pride.”

California and Arizona citrus growers anticipate strong season, despite challenges

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 15:14:15 GMT

With October well underway, California and Arizona citrus growers forecast a strong performance for the 2022/23 season, predicting promotable volumes of large fruit this winter. This outlook from growers appears straightforward at first glance, but zooming out, this levelheaded assessment is hard-won. There are reasons to feel skittish, yet growers in the Southwest remain unflappably optimistic.

Anticipating the upcoming season

“There are no two seasons ever alike,” said Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist Growers , which includes over 1,000 citrus growers in California and Arizona. “With a new citrus season just around the corner, there are plenty of opportunities for retailers to celebrate every bite with our reliable portfolio of conventional and organic citrus.”

USDA reports last season was down about 19%, but citrus growers in California and Arizona are hopeful. The California and Arizona citrus crop is anticipated to rebound from 2021/22’s soft season, according to the growers who spoke with The Packer.

“This past season, California citrus witnessed a shorter crop across most varieties,” Ward said. “We are looking forward to a new season with the return of the California-grown Sunkist Navel Oranges in November, alongside the exceptionally large pummelo and Sunkist California Mandarins, followed by cara cara oranges, blood oranges and minneola tangelos.”

Ward said she anticipates citrus will peak “at the top of its game” by January with a “forecast for this season of promotable volumes and juicy flavors across all varieties.”

Keith Watkins, president of farming at Bee Sweet Citrus agreed, citing larger-than-average navel oranges that register higher-than-normal Brix levels for this this time of year for the San Joaquin Valley-based grower. “Citrus volume in California is slightly up compared to the 2021/22 citrus season,” said Watkins. Meanwhile, Florida’s harvest is substantially down, he added.

Related news: U.S. citrus estimates drop after Hurricane Ian devastated Florida

While Florida Department of Agriculture’s early estimates of the total crop damage for the state’s citrus region totaled over 80% of acres impacted, because Florida produces a very small segment of the overall fresh citrus market, Watkins believes Florida’s hurricane impact “should have a minimal effect on the California market.”

Looking ahead

At the end of the day, for citrus growers in Arizona and California, it comes down to producing high-quality fruit that exceeds fresh market expectations. Growing, harvesting and shipping fruit profitably is not for the faint of heart, but for some, the ever-changing dynamic nature of farming is also the allure.

“Farming is very fun because you encounter challenges every day. It keeps you on your toes, it makes you be creative, resourceful and adaptive,” said Limoneira’s Edgar Gutierrez, vice president of farming operations at Limoneira .

What’s more, understanding and articulating shopper data and insights to create strategic “merchandising programs that engage and resonate with consumers” is also part of growing and selling citrus.

That too, requires an adaptive, nimble mindset, according to Ward at Sunkist. “Shopper behaviors are in constant motion, and we prioritize better understanding citrus consumers, their needs and where they want to buy to position the best promotions for our retail partners,” she said.

“Consumers are looking for recipe inspiration, especially ones that can stretch the dollar. Our promotions focus on consumer education, not only on the many health benefits found in citrus but also on its shelf-ability and techniques for using the whole fruit,” Ward said. “Showing consumers how their oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangelos, mandarins or tangerines can support their journey toward well-being helps them understand how their purchase can be a wise investment.”

Surviving megadrought, Southwest citrus growers manage water wisely

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 18:52:34 GMT

Growing fruit in the arid Southwest will keep you on your toes. Not only do California and Arizona citrus growers face the challenge of growing fruit profitably in shifting markets, but drought conditions in the southwestern U.S. continue to worsen and affect irrigation. Compounded with the recent account of fellow citrus growers in Florida suffering devastating crop loss due to Hurricane Ian, it’s reasonable to assume that there are many questions weighing heavy in growers’ minds at the start of this winter citrus season.

Navigating drought conditions

Looking ahead to 2023, extreme weather is impacting not only growers recovering from the hurricane in the Southeast, but drought conditions in the Southwest continue to worsen, with no end in sight. The megadrought that grips the Southwest has broken yet another record, according to a study just released from science journal, Nature.

According to the study, 2021’s “exceptional drought severity” tacked on another year to the prolonged, 22-year drought. From 2000 to 2022, the drought has marked the driest period in the Southwest since at least 800 A.D. with the effects of climate change intensifying the severity and adding new challenges to recover from dry conditions.

One major consequence of the drought is reduced water available for irrigating Southwest citrus crops. The Colorado River Basin which irrigates much of the Southwest, including California and Arizona, is currently weathering the effects of the megadrought, according to the Arizona Department of Water Resources. Severe drought conditions mean reduced levels in Lake Mead, located on the Arizona-Nevada border, which provides water for seven states. Drought conditions also reduce river flows along with the Lower Colorado River running along the Arizona-California border, further stressing the overallocated Colorado River.

Farmers in California and Arizona are experiencing the driest conditions in the basin and mounting water restrictions are expected to continue well into the future. According to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, both Lake Mead and Lake Powell in northern Arizona are approaching critical elevation levels and will require unprecedented management actions to protect infrastructure in both the Upper (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) and Lower (Arizona, California, Nevada and parts of Mexico) Colorado River Basins. The shortage assessment is based on the elevation of Lake Mead, which is dependent upon releases from Lake Powell.

Responding to these extreme conditions, The Central Arizona Project, a canal system built by the federal government for Arizona farmers to tap into excess Colorado River water, implemented drought mitigation reductions for Arizona agricultural users in 2022, reducing available Colorado River water by over 60%. Central Arizona Project water users have met nearly all their targeted, Tier 1 level reductions in Arizona, but current projections for CAP users indicate that escalating to a higher, Tier 2 shortage level in 2023 will be necessary.

This means continuing deep cuts to agricultural water available, as well as increasing restrictions to include reducing water available to municipal, industrial and tribal water users.

In California, low levels on the Colorado River are compounded by reduced snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which supplies surface water for much of the Central Valley. According to the California Department of Water Resources, milder temperatures and limited precipitation are causing early and even mid-winter snow melt. This April, the surface water reached only 38% of its historic average water level.

The most recent drought in California that began in 2020, worsened when California’s Central Valley faced its driest January and February in recorded history. The seasonal pattern that worked so well to supply water in past years relied on storing water from mountain snowpack to release slowly during California’s dry spring and summers. These snowpack reserves are no longer guaranteed.

“This significant decrease in snowpack has a direct impact on water supply for Californians,” according to the California Department of Water Resource. “The warming climate already is making it harder to grow food in some parts of the world, like California , which depends on snow piling up in the Sierra Nevada mountains for irrigation. Climate models predict more serious disruption to global agriculture a few decades in the future because of shifting rainfall and extreme weather.”

Responsible water management

Sunkist has dedicated careful long-term planning as a key component of its sustainability plan, according to Christina Ward, senior director of global marketing at Sunkist Growers . “We remain focused as water supply will continue to be a concern going forward, and labor increases and cost pressures continue to put added pressure on our industry,” said Ward.

Related news: Resourceful farmers adapt to a changing climate, finding new ways to combat pests and conserve water

“Responsible water management is key,” Ward continued. “Citrus farmers have long used the most advanced technology with soil moisture monitors and micro-sprinklers to water trees for just what it needs.”

At Bee Sweet Citrus, “water supplies have been tight, but adequate,” said Keith Watkins, president of farming at Bee Sweet Citrus . “Costs for producing and watering this year’s crop are substantially higher than historic [averages].”

Growers constantly ask themselves “how do I change our practices to accommodate this?” according to Edgar Gutierrez, vice president of farming operations at Limoneira , a lemon grower with ranches in both California and Arizona. What’s more, Gutierrez says responding quickly to changing prices and “scarcity of water, fuels and fertilizer” is necessary to stay competitive.

“All of a sudden, a factor in the product you were selling for a certain price changes and you must quickly adapt to be profitable. But changing practices in the field takes time,” said Gutierrez. “One of the biggest challenges in the farming industry is how do we adapt quickly in the cost model, in order to stay efficient?”

Devastating Drought: Texas Farmers Say 2021 Drought Already Rivals 2011

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:01:26 GMT

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows from North Dakota to Texas, all the way west to California, the most severe levels of drought didn’t ease across the U.S. this past week.

While 62% of the country is seeing some level of dryness, a 2-point improvement in a week, the most extreme level of drought grew, now covering more than 9% of the country.

(Farm Journal)

Texas Extremes

All levels of drought are painted across the Texas U.S. Drought monitor. Only 8% of the state is drought-free, with 8.5% in the exceptional drought category. Around one-quarter of the state is seeing extreme drought conditions.

West Texas farmers are preparing themselves for a possible devastating impact to the 2021 crop.

“We’re extremely dry,” says Blake Fennell, a farmer in Earth, Texas. “I would say we’re giving 2011 a run for its money, but we’re probably drier than 2011 at this point.”

2011 is a year that sticks in many farmers minds in the West Texas and Texas Panhandle area. That’s when consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures, with no rainfall, meant pivots couldn’t even make it a full circle without crops shriveling up. And the dryland crop was nil.

Too Dry to Plant

The West Texas farmer says his area hasn’t’ seen significant rain fall in nearly two years.

“We’ve still got to give that crop every chance we think we can get, but at the same time, we also can’t waste a lot of money on a crop that we don’t think we’re going to have going into it,” he says.

(Farm Journal)

Cotton Crop Worries

From monitoring inputs closely, to parked planters just waiting on Mother Nature to possibly produce moisture to even get the crop out of the ground, it’s a battle that farmers in the area say will be fought all year.

“If we don’t get any significant rainfall within the next two, three or four weeks, it’s going to have a very significant impact on the cotton crop in West Texas,” Fennell says . “A 1"or 1.5" rainfall event is not going to cure the problems we’re facing today.”

Fennell says the expectations for the West Texas cotton crop are also grim.

“Abandonment looks like it’s going to be pretty high this year, just for the simple fact that there is no ground moisture to get this crop emerged,” he says.

Retailer acquisition: Raley’s gets Bashas’

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:28:22 GMT

West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s Holding Co. signed a definitive agreement to acquire Chandler, Ariz.-based Bashas’ Family of Stores .

In a joint video presentation to Bashas’ employees Oct. 1, Edward “Trey” Basha, president and CEO of Bashas’ and grandson of the cofounder, and Keith Knopf, president and CEO of Raley’s, said the Basha family will no longer hold ownership roles, but Bashas’ Arizona store banners, employment and operations would not be changed, both companies’ public relations departments confirmed.

“In Raley’s, we will have a partner who will ensure we continue delivering exceptional customer and member experiences at a time when regional grocery competition has never been tougher – while staying true to the values that have shaped our history over 90 years,” Basha said in a news release.

According to the agreement:

Bashas’ will continue to serve customers throughout Arizona and New Mexico and its Tribal Nation partners, including the Navajo Nation, White Mountain Apache, San Carlos Apache and Tohono O’odham;
As a fully formed operating company within the Raley’s enterprise, Bashas’ will retain its corporate headquarters, stores and distribution center in Arizona;
The deal will protect Bashas’ established store banners, with no changes to local store leadership; and
There are no planned changes to employee roles, compensation or benefits.

The deal is expected to close by the end of 2021.

“Raley’s history of respecting the legacy of the brands we acquire assures continuity for Bashas’ customers, employees, and business partners …” Knopf said in the video, according to the release. “The Bashas’ company is strong and well-positioned in the market. We are confident that with our robust digital capabilities and combined purchasing power, we can further enhance the overall customer experience.”

Privately owned and family-run, Raley’s operates more than 120 stores under four banners: Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods and Raley’s O-N-E Market, with about 13,000 employees in California and Nevada.

Bashas’ Supermarkets Inc. is a family-owned company with more than 100 grocery stores, including Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Eddie’s Country Store, and both Bashas’ and Bashas’ Diné supermarkets.

Date producer draws influencers to Bard Valley for harvest tour

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 15:40:01 GMT

California-based date producer Natural Delights recently welcomed more than 30 guests from throughout the world at its annual Medjool Date Harvest Tour. The event gathered retailers, importers, wholesalers, influencers, dietitians, chefs and media professionals, according to a news release.

Tour attendees had the opportunity to go up date palms and test their hand-harvesting skills, guided by the brand’s palmeros, gleaning insights into the labor-intensive process from de-thorning to the final harvest.

Attendees also explored the Datepac facilities to learn more about how the products are sorted, graded and packed. The event culminated at a “Harvest Haute” grower dinner with guests enjoying a Medjool date-inspired meal prepared by master chef Walter Zuromski, according to the release.

“Every year, our tour surpasses expectations, thanks to the ever-expanding global network of attendees who eagerly gather to learn about our products and sustainable growing practices,” Natalia Toccoli, digital marketing manager for Natural Delights, said in the release. “We are committed to ensuring that our partners have a comprehensive understanding of every facet of our business, from cultivation to innovation and sustainability.”

Related news: Date harvest underway for co-op

Influencers and media attendees shared more than 140 Instagram stories and posts and earned the brand 4.8 million impressions from social content during the two-day event, according to the release. The tour also garnered interest from other media and influencers for next year’s event based on the content shared by attendees this year, the release said.

“Creating raving lifelong fans is the goal of every Harvest Tour, and I think it is safe to say we accomplished that again this year based on the outpouring of glowing reviews from attendees,” Beth Keeton, founder and CEO of Elephant House PR, said in the release.

COVID upends equilibrium of produce sales in Southwest marketplace

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:40 GMT

The trend for fresh produce consumption continues to spiral upward, even though the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 has skewed purchases heavily on the retail side, suppliers say.

Supplies of some items have been sporadic in 2020, said Roy Deki, salesman for foodservice and wholesale with Phoenix-based Epic Produce Sales.

“Volume is definitely off,” Deki said July 8. “I do bell peppers, squash, lettuce, pretty much everything — nothing seems to be moving more than anything else, other than maybe fruit.”

Watermelons were “hard to find,” and cantaloupes were “good and tight,” he added.

As for consumer melon preferences, the Origami cantaloupe is attracting much attention — and a lot of sales, said Barry Zwillinger, owner of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based grower-shipper Legend Produce, which focuses heavily on Origami production.

“It’s a big hit here in the Southwest with the major chains, with the flavor, aroma and eating quality,” Zwillinger said of the Origami. “The sales here are superior.”

Prices are up, too, but that isn’t a huge obstacle to sales, he said.

“Sales demand is increasing significantly, from what we’ve seen in the past and what our projections were,” he said. “The last 60 days, our demand and pricing structure is up significantly over what we’ve seen in the last 20 years.”

Consumers buy with flavor in mind, he explained.

“Stores in the past haven’t come in our direction with the Origami because of a higher price, but those stores have seen sales in store decline on the cut-from-the-vine harper melon. It looked great, it looked good cut open, but it didn’t have the eating quality.”

The COVID-19 pandemic may play a role in higher sales, Zwillinger said.

“Where they had to be aggressive on price before — maybe it’s related to the COVID because they’re eating at home more — they’re finding they can still keep the same volume, which increases their overall movement and have higher prices in the store,” he said.

“At the end of the day, the guy in the ivory tower isn’t worried about volume of movement as much as overall sales, so if the store is selling melons at $1.50 or $2, their sales are up, as opposed to featuring melons at a low price. They’re finding they don’t have to do that now. That fits in the sales scheme we’ve had the last seven or eight years.”

Value-added sells

Convenience is a driving force in the Southwest, said Jake Macek, vice president of sales with California Specialty Farms , which supplies Coosemans Phoenix.

“On the retail level, especially with specialty produce, it all has to be value-added, whether it’s in some sort of packaging that’s more earth-friendly or biodegradable or just less plastic,” he said.

“A lot of people are trying to get away from clamshells as best they can. The only problem is the cost of it. Getting away from clamshells typically means more costs are going to be typically incurred by us as the grower or packer, and trying to pass those costs down the line is a little more difficult than one might think.”

Packaging also a consideration in an upward-trending organic category, Macek said.

“If something is organic, especially, people are looking to find ways to put (it) in something that’s compostable,” he said. “The problem is passing the costs along.”

At retail, according to The Shelby Report, Fry’s Food Store, with 111 locations, continues to dominate chain business in Arizona, with a market share of 29.52%.

Safeway (79 stores) and Walmart Supercenter (65 stores) follow, with respective market shares of 15.73% and 14.93%. Albertsons (31 stores) has a share of 6.07%, with Food City Supermarket (36 stores) and Sprouts Farmers Market (27 stores) at 5.92% and 5.77%, respectively.

Foodservice gets some help

Foodservice in the region has struggled through the pandemic, with schools closed for the summer and restaurants operating under social-distancing and other restrictions.

That’s been a challenge to produce distributors who deal in the foodservice channel, said Sara Matheu, media relations director for Rosemont, Ill.-based foodservice distributor US Foods , which has a branch in Phoenix.

“Many of our restaurant customers have remained open in some capacity during COVID mandates, primarily optimizing or building out take-out and delivery operations,” Matheu said.

“As a consultant to our customers, we have been helping operators adapt to the changing environment — helping them optimize take-out operations and helping them plan for reopening efforts.”

Foodservice customers are looking for support with labor costs and inventory optimizations as their operations have evolved during the pandemic, Matheu said.

“For example, many customers have been adapting their menus to optimize them for take-out and delivery, refining and focusing their menu offerings to their most popular items and items that travel well in to-go containers,” she said.

“Many are also leveraging value-added items to help with labor costs. For example, items that are already chopped and/or prepped.”

Preparing to reopen a restaurant in the face of a changing pandemic can be complex and challenging without the proper resources to help guide planning efforts, Matheu said.

“Since the pandemic started, we have made many resources, webinars and tools available on our website for operators to navigate the ongoing changes in the industry,” she said.

Recently, US Foods launched a “Restaurant Reopening Blueprint Guide” to help operators with approaching regulatory requirements, principles for planning and effective reopening, best practices for “approaching front-of-house and back-of-house operations;” and specific solutions for other foodservice formats such as cafeterias, quick-service restaurants, fast-casual restaurants, food courts, and bars and lounges.

“And we have also given out free reopening kits to independent restaurant owners to help support restaurant reopening efforts in communities across the U.S.,” Matheu said.

The reopening kits provide independent restaurant operators with must-have supplies such as masks and safety guidance posters as well as resource guides to navigate state and local COVID-19 reopening requirements and help create a “safer environment for staff and customers alike,” Matheu said.

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Shopper interest fuels early excitement for strong medjool date sales

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:59:52 GMT

Yuma, Ariz.-based Bard Valley Natural Delights is primed to spotlight the many uses of medjool dates in 2023, thanks to Whole Foods Market’s newest trend report, 2022 year-end IRI data and consumer focus group results.

Whole Foods Market recently named medjool dates one of their Top Food Trends for 2023, saying “with a classic caramel note we can all get behind, dates are having their moment.” Natural Delights has observed a consistent uptick in the category over the last five years, along with the use of medjool dates in trending social media posts, according to a news release.

Natural Delights is outpacing category volume growth by 61%, according to IRI scan data of the last 52 weeks ending Jan. 1, 2023. The brand also had the highest repeat purchases by a 20% margin among all other medjool date brands, according to IRI panel data over the same period.

“One of the most valuable data points to share with our retail partners is repeat purchases,” Natural Delights Director of Marketing David Baxter said in the release. “Brand loyalty is something we’ve worked on diligently, and it is what we believe sets us apart and encourages higher consumption within the category.”

Related news: The Fresh Market releases these five ‘most delicious’ 2023 trends

A recent focus group conducted in November by a third-party, Moms Meet market research group, demonstrated the popularity of the Natural Delights brand, with respondents selecting it as their preferred brand for overall quality, packaging and eating experience, according to the release. The brand received praise in each of the focus groups.

Other key details from the Moms Meet focus group included the value of Natural Delights packaging. Respondents shared that not only was it the most ideal for resealing and locking in freshness, but they also noted the importance of the brand’s 100% recyclable packaging from previously used plastic bottles, according to the release.

“We have been extremely intentional in creating sustainable packaging that also keeps the integrity of the product intact, so these comments reinforce that we’re doing the right thing,” Baxter said in the release.

With a favorable start to the year for the date category and with date-centric holidays on the horizon — National Medjool Date Day on Feb. 4, Heart Health Month in February, National Nutrition Month in March, and Ramadan in March and April — Natural Delights anticipates exciting promotions and consumer demand during peak purchasing times.

Top retailers in the Southwest by market share

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:42:31 GMT

Each year, The Shelby Report showcases valuable retail market share data. In the interactive map below, find each major market around the Southwest. Also, highlighted are the major cities in each market.

All markets are “labeled” or identified by their primary state (with metros or key cities). Percentages are estimates based on annualized sales, industry data, institutional research and store footprints. Shares are updated as market metrics dictate and retailers supply their store lists.*

Market shares are for chains, independents and/or the wholesalers (voluntary or cooperative) which supply them within each region’s distribution area, extending well beyond typical metros or CBSAs. Each market is defined by the sphere of distribution, not by a rigid geographic boundary.

Major cities in each market:

Colorado/Wyoming/Nebraska/South Dakota - Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs,
Ft Collins, Pueblo, Grand Junctiion, Cheyenne
West Texas/New Mexico/Colorado/Kansas - Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, El Paso, Amarillo,
Lubbock, Wichita Falls, Abilene, Odessa
South Texas - San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Laredo,
Corpus Christi, McAllen, Brownsville
North Texas/Louisana/Arkansas/Oklahoma - Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler, Longview, Shreveport
East Texas/Louisiana - Houston, Pasadena, Galveston, Bryan,
Beaumont, Port Arthur, Lake Charles
Oklahoma - Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Springfield, MO - Springfield, MO; Fayetteville, Bentonville, AR