Ethanol Industry Needs Support, as COVID-19 Losses Near $4 Billion

With COVID-19 cases on the rise again, state and local governments are taking additional actions to limit travel and promote social distancing. In turn, consumption of ethanol-blended gasoline is rapidly falling again, threatening to derail an already tenuous economic recovery in the ethanol industry. Through November, U.S. ethanol producers had already lost $3.8 billion since the start of the pandemic, according …

NPPC Supports Tai Nomination as U.S. Trade Representative

(NPPC) — President-Elect Joe Biden on Thursday nominated Katherine Tai to be the U.S. Trade Representative. Since 2017, she has been the chief trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee and previously served in the Office of the United States Trade Representative as chief counsel for China Trade Enforcement. The following statement may be attributed to National Pork …

The Many Uses of a Seasonal Fruit During the Holidays

The many uses of a seasonal fruit during the holidays.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Oranges are a Christmas tradition. Sometimes they come in the form of a clementine or a tangerine. And, they’re not just for eating or stocking stuffers. There are so many ways we can make the most of this seasonal fruit during the …

AFBF Welcomes Nomination of Katherine Tai for U.S. Trade Representative

(AFBF) — President-elect Joe Biden is expected to nominate Katherine Tai to be U.S. Trade Representative. The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “We’re pleased President-elect Biden will reportedly nominate Katherine Tai to be the next U.S. Trade Representative. America’s farmers and ranchers rely on a fair marketplace to compete globally and it’s …

Brazil’s Orange Forecast: Less Fruit, More Drop

The 2020–21 orange crop forecast for the São Paulo and West-Southwest Minas Gerais citrus belt in Brazil is 269.36 million boxes. The updated forecast was published Dec. 10 by Fundecitrus and its cooperators. The decrease of 17.36 million boxes represents a 6 percent decline in crop size from the September forecast update. ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONSExpected production was significantly hindered by late …

Commissioner Nikki Fried on December USDA Citrus Forecast

(FDACS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated projections for citrus production in the 2020-21 season. The December forecast projects a 2 percent decrease in production, with a projected 56 million boxes of Florida Oranges, 4.4 million boxes of Florida Grapefruit, and 1.1 million boxes of specialty citrus. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “When Americans think of wellness and …

Blueberries and Bees, UF Scientists Play Matchmaker

(UF/IFAS) — Chew on this the next time you eat a blueberry: Every single blueberry is the result of a flower that was pollinated by a bee. In other words: no buzz, no berry. With that in mind, it’s no wonder blueberry growers bring in hives of honey bees or bumble bees when their blueberry bushes are in flower. “We …

RFA Thanks President-Elect Biden, Congratulates Vilsack on USDA Nomination

(RFA) — President-elect Joe Biden nominated Tom Vilsack to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The following is a statement from Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Tom Vilsack is an excellent choice to serve in this role. During his last term as secretary, he has shown clearly and continually that he can work effectively with …

USDA Updates Cotton Production Estimates

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its December crop reports today. Becky Sommer with NASS in Washington D.C. says the U.S. cotton production estimate is still down 20% from last year’s crop. All cotton production is forecast at 15.9 million 480-pound bales, down 7% from the previous forecast, and down 20% from 2019. All cotton planted totaled 12.1 million acres, unchanged from the previous …