Pecan

USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for 2024

Dan Specialty Crops, Tree Nuts, USDA-NASS

During the week of September 23rd, pecan growers will receive a survey from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2024.  “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in Georgia and it is crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector of the …

specialty crops

USDA Announces Grant Funding to Strengthen U.S. Specialty Crops Industry

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Fruits, Funding, Pecans, Specialty Crops, Tree Nuts, USDA, Vegetables

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $82.3 million to 65 recipients to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and support the industry’s producers. This includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. The funding is through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program (SCMP). Jenny Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory …

hurricane debby

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, and Communities Affected by Hurricane Debby

Dan Agri-Business, Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Cover Crops, Crop Insurance, Dairy, Economy, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, Funding, Georgia, Hemp, Herbs, Hydroponics, Livestock, Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Peanuts, Pecans, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, USDA, USDA-FSA, USDA-RMA, Vegetables, Wheat

(USDA/WASHINGTON, August 7, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and …

Herbicide Drift Damage Showing up In Pecan Orchards

Dan Georgia, Pecans, Specialty Crops, Tree Nuts

Herbicide damage is showing up in Southeast pecan orchards. This is the result of row-crop burndown, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. It also has some growers concerned about the potential impact of 2,4-D mix drift on this year’s crop. “This is never a pleasant situation. It tends to be infuriating, nerve-wracking, and worrisome,” Wells …

AFVGA Executive Director Optimistic About State’s Strawberry, Peach Crops

Dan Alabama, Fruits, Specialty Crops, Tree Nuts

Optimism abounds for Alabama’s strawberry and peach crops this season. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), highlighted what he has heard from growers so far this year, starting with excitement geared towards a generational-type strawberry crop. “I’m hearing very good things about the strawberry crop. People are saying things like it’s a 10-year …

Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Citrus, Commodities, Economy, Field Crops, Fruits, Herbs, Pecans, Poultry, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, USDA-AMS, Vegetables

(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 …

Eating Almonds Before Meals May Help Lower Blood Sugar

Dan Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Tree Nuts

Eating a handful of this nut before meals may help lower blood sugar. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Two new research studies with almonds, one conducted over three days and the other over three months, demonstrated benefits to blood sugar control for Asian Indians with prediabetes and overweight/obesity – and the three-month almond intervention broke new ground, …

Chef Martin Yan New Pistachio Ambassador

Dan Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Tree Nuts

A big-name chef is now the face of a popular tree nut. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. World-renowned Chef Martin Yan is joining forces with American Pistachio Growers as a global brand ambassador. The news comes just ahead of the Pistachio Industry Annual Conference in Carlsbad, California, where Yan is slated to teach more than 1,000 pistachio …

Study Adds to Proof of Health Benefits of Tree Nuts

Dan Pecans, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Tree Nuts

More proof of the health benefits of tree nuts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In a paper published in the journal Nutrients, researchers found that consuming mixed tree nuts had a positive effect on the metabolism of the essential amino acid, tryptophan, in overweight and obese individuals. Specifically, there was an increase in both cardioprotective tryptophan metabolites and in …