(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/February 9, 2023) — Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $1 billion in agricultural-production losses, with the biggest hits to the citrus industry, along with growers of vegetables and melons, according to a new University of Florida report. The report from the UF-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences also doesn’t include damage to such things as buildings and equipment, which …
Chocolate Market Growing
Chocolate is getting even more popular. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The global cocoa and chocolate market is seeing a growth spurt. According to a new research report, the global cocoa and chocolate market size & share was valued at $46.4 billion in 2021 and is projected to hit $69.1 Billion by 2030. Cocoa and chocolate are made from the cacao tree and …
Ian Estimated Agriculture Damages Tops $1B
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2023) — A soon-to-be-released report will estimate Florida’s agriculture industry sustained about $1.07 billion in damages from Hurricane Ian, with growers of citrus, vegetable and horticultural crops taking the biggest hits from the wind, rains and flooding. But citrus growers think the estimate doesn’t show the full damage from the storm. The pending report from the University …
Specialty Crops Growth Shows Need for Expanded Risk Management Tools
Specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables and nuts, make up almost one-third of total crop sales in the United States, but many specialty crop acres remain uninsured. American Farm Bureau Federation economists recently examined specialty crop coverage. The Market Intel report found that more than 80 percent of the acreage of hazelnuts, kiwifruit, strawberries and lettuce remain uncovered through the Federal …
Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20% per Farm Bureau Survey
(AFBF/WASHINGTON, November 16, 2022) — Spending time with family and friends at Thanksgiving remains important for many Americans and this year the cost of the meal is also top of mind. American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than …
A Rise in Cranberry Production
One specialty crop we don’t mention much is cranberries. And while the majority of those are grown outside of the Southeast, it’s the time of the year many households are thinking about them being a part of their Thanksgiving meal. Rod Bain reports production is up this year, and that is mainly led by the two largest cranberry growing states. …
Pumpkin Season in Full Swing
It’s pumpkin season around the nation, and they’re as popular as ever. That’s coming up on This Land of ours. It seems pumpkins are everywhere this time of year and most of those pumpkins make quite the trip to get to those stores, patches, and porches. The USDA’s Economic Research Service says about 40 percent of pumpkin acres are harvested …
Robert E. Saunders Named 2022 Swisher/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year
(Moultrie, GA/Oct. 18, 2022) — Robert E. Saunders, a multi-generational farmer from Piney River, Virginia, who grows woody ornamentals, annuals, perennials, field ornamentals, grafted trees, peaches, nectarines, apples, and Asian pears, has been selected as the overall winner of the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2022. Growing up on a family farm as one of seven …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried on UF/IFAS Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment
(FDACS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Oct. 18, 2022) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) released a preliminary assessment of the agricultural production losses associated with Hurricane Ian. The report, which considered crops, livestock, and animal products, estimates a potential loss of up to $1.56 billion for Florida producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) is expected to release its …
Florida Ag Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian May be Eligible for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance
Agricultural producers who suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ian, may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). But, to be eligible, USDA approval is required before producers can begin repair efforts. Deborah Tannebaum, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what land is …