Nearly Half of Potatoes Now Go into Frozen Products

Dan Specialty Crops, USDA-ERS

New Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows the majority of potatoes in the United States are now sold in processed forms such as frozen, chipped, dehydrated, or canned. With the introduction of french fries as a key side dish in quick-service restaurants, the share of potatoes that go into frozen products has risen in each decade since 1979. …

Grape Growers Have New Insurance Program against Natural Hazards

Dan Crop Insurance, Economy, Fruits, Specialty Crops

The USDA is expanding crop insurance options with a new grapevine insurance program. It will provide coverage for the loss of grafted vines caused by natural perils like frost or fire. The new program will also complement the grape crop insurance program that covers the fruit growing on the vine. “We strive to offer the strongest risk management resources for …

California Continues to Lead U.S. Peach Harvest

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

What state is the leader in peach production? The answer may surprise you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While Georgia is on many consumers’ minds when it comes to fresh, juicy peaches, California is by far the largest peach-producing state in the United States. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) reports that last year, California’s harvest yielded 475,000 …

GATES Act Aims to Include Larger Farms in Conservation Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS

The Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act seeks to reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs. Congressman John Duarte, a farmer from California, is on the coalition behind the act. He says current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations of $900,000 disproportionately limit producers with high input costs from participating in certain USDA conservation-focused programs.  “That sounds …

Two Florida Black Farmers Get Marijuana Licenses

Dan Florida, Specialty Crops

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL) — Two Florida Black farmers have received licenses to grow, process and sell medical marijuana, after a new state law helped clear the way for the long-awaited licenses. The Florida Department of Health issued the licenses July 11 to Suwannee County farmer Terry Donnell Gwinn and Bascom-based Shedrick McGriff. The farmers each met a Friday deadline to submit …

Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo Seminar Program Released

Dan Citrus, Citrus Expo News, Specialty Crops

The 2023 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is just four weeks away, and the seminar program is now available. Seminar sessions are a huge part of what makes the Expo a success. The two-day event will include a general session and concurrent citrus and vegetable/specialty crop sessions. The general session will kick off the seminars at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16th. Following …

High Production Costs Won’t Ease Next Year

Dan Corn, Cotton, Economy, Field Crops, Peanuts, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Wheat

USDA’s first cost of production forecast for major field crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, and others shows that input costs are expected to remain elevated into the next growing season. The costs will likely be at the third-highest level of all time and only slightly lower than the record high in 2022. While some input costs like fertilizer …

Sugar Policy and International Trade Topics of Discussion

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Legislative, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Trade

The House Ways and Means Committee this week held a field hearing on trade with a focus on agriculture and critical supply chains. The hearing took place in Kimball, Minnesota on the farm of NCBA president Don Schiefelbein of Schiefelbein Farms. U.S. sugar policy and international sugar trade were among the topics of discussion, with Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan …