The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is backing sugar producers. As part of the policy resolutions set during their recent national convention, the American Farm Bureau continued support for a no-cost sugar policy. Cassie Bladow, chairperson of the American Sugar Alliance says the alliance appreciates farm bureau’s support, and they appreciate having AFBF as a strong partner as they advocate for …
Changing Climate Means More Pests for Almonds, Peaches, Walnuts
How a changing climate could mean more pests for some tree crops. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Department of Agriculture research shows climate change may increase the insect population that poses a threat to the specialty crops industry. Led by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the University of California, the research shows populations …
Undersecretary Keys in on Specialty Crop Trade
While meeting with reporters at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention, USDA Undersecretary for Trade, Alexis Taylor, keyed in on trade missions that could be particularly beneficial to the nation’s specialty crop industries. Taylor said funding from the USDA will also help the industry with trade challenges. “In addition to some market development work, we’re doing a hundred …
USDA Seeking Specialty Crop Industry Feedback
Last week, USDA announced a new initiative designed to address challenges for our country’s specialty crop industry regarding market competitiveness. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small discusses outreach for specialty crop industry input through the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative. Deputy Secretary Torres Small says they are seeking specialty crop industry feedback. USDA encourages U.S. specialty crops stakeholders to submit comments on …
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022
(AFBF/WASHINGTON/November 15, 2023) — Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won’t take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which …
New USDA Investment in Specialty Crop Research
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
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
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
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
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 …