New USDA Investment in Specialty Crop Research

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Research, Specialty Crops

USDA is investing $70.2 million in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support nearly two dozen research and Extension projects. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced the funding on a call with reporters and described the kinds of projects that will be funded. “The awarded projects addressed key challenges of national, regional and multi state importance to the food …

Gadsden Tomato Forum Coming December 7

Dan Agri-Business, Education, Fruits, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Tomato growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, are invited to attend the 2023 Gadsden Tomato Forum. The workshop will be held December 7th at the University of Florida/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, FL. Registration will start at 8:30am EST with the meeting starting at 9:00 AM. It will conclude with a sponsored lunch and a meeting of …

Battle over Tomato Suspension Agreement

Dan Agri-Business, Fruits, Regulation, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

Should the U.S. terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico? The agreement is intended to keep Mexico from flooding the U.S. market with underpriced tomatoes by suspending duties, however, some industry leaders say it’s not working, and the agreement needs to be terminated so Mexico can be held accountable. Others worry that terminating the agreement and making Mexico pay duties …

Report: Organic Strawberries Bring Higher Prices

Dan Fruits, Organic, Specialty Crops

New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows organic strawberries offer growers higher prices than conventional strawberries. Fresh strawberry prices tend to exhibit strong seasonal trends partly because of their relatively short shelf life. In the U.S., grower prices for fresh organic strawberries move in tandem with conventional strawberry prices throughout the year while also typically running 40 to …

2022 Potato Production Down 3 Percent

Dan Commodities, Economy, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economics, Statistics, and Market Information System recently released the 2022 Potato Summary. The report presents potato estimates of acreage, yield per acre, production, farm disposition, season average price, value, and utilization of sales, including processing for the 2022 season. All potato production in 2022 totaled 399 million hundred-weight, down three percent from the 2021 …

Kildee’s Request for Farm Bill Sugar Policy

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, Sugar

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s the resounding message from Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) when it comes to the nation’s sugar policy. “We have a system right now that ensures that domestically grown sugar is sold into the markets before we allow for competition to come from offshore. This kind of protection allows American sugar growers to …

Ag Market Growth Ahead

Dan Agri-Business, Commodities, Economy, Genetically Modified, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Taking a look at the projected growth for ag markets. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Business Research Company’s latest look into the growth of agricultural markets shows big jumps ahead. The global agriculture market is projected to reach a substantial size of just over $19.8 billion by 2027, with a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) …