AgNet DEMO

Author: Clint

  • Representative Response: Austin Scott, Darren Soto Pen Letter to ITC

    Austin Scott

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Austin Scott (R-GA-08) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09) co-led a bipartisan letter to the International Trade Commission (ITC) on Tuesday expressing support for a Section 332 investigation for cucumbers and squash as American specialty crop producers struggle with unfair trade practices that negatively impact operations.

    “Seasonal cucumber and squash imports from Mexico continue to dramatically impact U.S. markets and threaten the future of domestic farm production of perishable produce,” wrote the Members. “This Section 332 investigation by the ITC for cucumbers and squash is needed to make a meaningful determination as to the impact of these seasonal imports on our markets. Market changes occur quickly and can devastate a grower’s season in a matter of days if imports increase and the resulting price decreases coincide with harvest. We appreciate your efforts on behalf of our growers and rural communities.”

    The letter is supported by Georgia Farm Bureau, Florida Farm Bureau, Michigan Farm Bureau, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association, and the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

    Darren Soto

    “Georgia Farm Bureau agrees with U.S. Representatives Austin Scott and Darren Soto that a Section 332 investigation for cucumbers and squash is necessary to determine the full impact that imported produce is having on domestic growers. In recent years, Georgia farmers — along with farmers in many other U.S. states — have struggled to compete with the growing surge of imported fresh fruits and vegetables, and as noted by the reports highlighted in the letter, the problem will only get worse unless U.S. officials step in. We are grateful for the leadership of Representatives Scott and Soto along with the other Members of Congress who joined this important effort,” said Tom McCall, President of Georgia Farm Bureau.

    “The several specialty crop states represented on this letter should signal a growing national concern for our agriculture sector,” said John L. Hoblick, President of Florida Farm Bureau. “Florida agriculture, and our rural communities as a result, is at a crossroads. This investigation on squash and cucumbers is a helpful start toward a fair solution for our domestic producers, and we applaud our federal policymakers for standing with us.”

    The letter was sent two days ahead of Thursday’s ITC fact-finding hearing that will focus on cucumber and squash imports and their impact on the Southeast sector.

    In November, Rep. Scott sent a similar letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requesting ITC begin a Section 332 investigation into squash and cucumber imports. Click here to read more.

    You can read the text of the letter below or by clicking here.

  • Taste Test: UF Scientists Use AI to Develop Better Tasting Strawberries

    UF/IFAS photo/Hands holding harvested strawberries. Photo taken 02-05-20.

    Source: UF/IFAS   

    A $300 million-a-year industry in Florida may soon depend on artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its flavor.

    Research at the University of Florida (UF) shows AI can help scientists breed more flavor into strawberries.

    While consumer panels are the method for UF researchers to gauge whether new fruit varieties taste good enough for development into market, in the evolving world of AI, a computer can now tell scientists what strawberries taste and smell like. This will help researchers determine whether a variety is worth more genetic breeding efforts.

    Vance Whitaker, a UF/IFAS associate professor of horticultural sciences, used an algorithm that allows him to predict how a strawberry will taste, based on the chemical constitution of its fruit. The computer method also takes less time than volunteer test panels.

    UF/IFAS photo/Vance Whitaker. Taken on 11-08-18.

    Whitaker published new research in the journal Nature Horticulture Research in which he and his team used taste-test panels and computer technology to identify the volatiles that give strawberries their unique tangy flavor.

    “Some volatiles are more important than others,” said Whitaker, a faculty member at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. “Knowing this allows us to focus in on a few high-impact breeding targets. In other words, now we know which volatile compounds we want to increase in breeding to achieve better flavor.”

    Over seven years, 384 consumers came to the UF Sensory Lab in Gainesville to provide feedback on flavor and aroma of strawberry varieties. Whitaker and his team compared their preferences with results that were derived from an already established algorithm and found the volatiles he needs to boost in strawberries he breeds in the future to improve their flavor.

    Machine learning algorithms are especially useful for analyzing “big data,” Whitaker said. When the data set is huge and involves a lot of variables at once, machine learning picks out patterns that previous statistical methods cannot.

    Click here for additional information.

  • Florida Legislator: House Bill 1601 a Dangerous Piece of Legislation

    Sugarcane burning

    One Florida state legislator deems House Bill 1601 a “dangerous piece of legislation.” Another accuses “Big Sugar” of attempting to “change the rules” in the middle of the game.

    The bill that is likely to see the House in the next couple of weeks has drawn the ire of Florida State Representatives Anna Eskamani and Omari Hardy. Also known as Senate Bill 88, the House bill modifies Florida’s Right to Farm Act to broadly protect farmers from lawsuits if they’ve followed regulatory requirements.

    Pending Lawsuit

    Big Sugar, which includes Florida Crystals Corporation, U.S. Sugar and Sugar Care Growers Cooperative of Florida, is already involved in a lawsuit which cites sugarcane burning as having harmful effects on their health and pollutes the environment. Both legislators believe the bill’s timing wreaks of Big Sugar’s influence and will have dangerous ramifications if it passes.

    “To be so embedded when it comes to their political and community influence, that even the idea of changing a practice so that children and generations to come can have clean air when they walk outside and go to school; because they stand against that, not only have they denied us the opportunity to pursue green harvesting but they are pushing forward a priority bill that would potentially undercut pending litigation filed by local members of the community trying to end the practice of sugarcane burning,” Eskamani said.

    Hardy added, “In this case, we have people trying to make a claim in court. Rather than let that play out, Big Sugar has come to the legislature to get the legislature to change the law in the middle of the lawsuit. It’s changing the rules in the middle of the game, and it’s not fair. That’s why this bill should not be heard, but if it’s heard, it should not be advanced, but if it’s advanced, it should not be advanced in its current form. There needs to be significant changes made to this bill.”

    Current Litigation Not Impacted?

    However, Adam Basford, Director of State Legislative Affairs at Florida Farm Bureau, insists the bill will not impact any current litigation.

    Sugarcane burning

    “Any current litigation that is going on is unaffected,” Basford said. “For a law to be retroactive, it’s got to be explicitly retroactive, and the language, there is explicitly not retroactive. That’s really the response to the thought that this is in an effort to impact the litigation that’s going on right now.”

    But Hardy insists that if that was the case, why wasn’t his amendment that the bill not apply retroactively included?

    “While the (bill’s) sponsor says that the bill does not apply retroactively, the fact of the matter is my amendment was not adopted. There’s a reason why you would not adopt a harmless amendment to clarify that the bill does not apply retroactively, because I believe the folks that are pushing this bill want it to stop the lawsuit that is currently in place, to close the doors of the courthouse to people who are seeking justice right now,” Hardy said.

    Sugarcane Burning

    Sugarcane burning was the focus of Tuesday’s press conference with both legislators as well as citizens impacted by the practice.

    Proponents of the agricultural practice say that pre-harvest burns are necessary for Florida farmers and does not endanger surrounding communities. Pre-harvest burns promote healthy plant regrowth for future crops and improves the quality and efficiency of the harvest.

    Ryan Duffy, director of corporate communications for U.S. Sugar, and Judy Sanchez, senior director for corporate communications and public affairs at U.S. Sugar, said that all controlled pre-harvest burns are regulated by the Florida Forest Service. Every controlled pre-harvest burn requires an individual burn permit for each field, which will only be issued for that day. The Florida Forest Service grants or denies the permit based upon that day’s weather conditions.

    Certain criteria must be met for a sugarcane grower to be approved for a burn permit. These include wind direction and speed, atmospheric conditions and location relative to sensitive areas like hospitals, schools and highways.

    What Opponents Want

    Opponents of the burning practice want sugarcane producers to switch to green harvesting. This practice uses mechanical harvesters to separate the sugarcane leaves and tops from the stalks. It would eliminate burning altogether.

    “I want to be clear, no one is trying to end the industry. People are just trying to end this practice that has damaged far too many lives and far too many communities,” Eskamani said. “House Bill 1601 is a dangerous piece of legislation, also known as Senate Bill 88. It completely would negate efforts to seek some sort of judicial process when faced with a nuisance that is outside of a farm. The way they have defined this nuisance is in such narrow terms that particles from sugarcane burning, which by the way, can float upwards of 20 and 25 miles, you will not be able to seek any type of litigation or any type of recourse if this bill were to become law.”

    What Mechanical Harvesting Won’t Do

    In September, Duffy said that specialty interest groups have selectively chosen a piece of the research and said you can get the same yield if you don’t burn the cane versus cane that’s burnt.

    “What that misses is that if you leave all of that leaf trash on the field, it will impact the next year’s crop, and there may not be the same yield next year,” Duffy said.

    Basford said the bill is part of the agenda for next week’s Judiciary Committee Hearing. It would then move to the House the following week.

    “I think that no one on this call would accept ash falling from the sky onto their home, into their yards, onto their playgrounds where their children play. I also believe that if that were happening that you would want to have the doors of the courthouse open to you. So that if you have a claim, that you can have that claim heard and have it adjudicated fairly,” Hardy said. “What this bill does, it not only allows this practice of sugarcane burning to continue, but it closes the doors of the courthouse to people seeking justice.”

  • Voice of Leadership: Congressman Scott Sounds Off on Mexican Imports

    Austin Scott

    How can you stay in business by selling a commodity for less than the inputs required to produce it? While it may sound like simple economics, it’s a financial game that’s just not adding up for many Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers?

    What’s the ‘X’ factor? Imports from foreign countries like Mexico, Peru and Chile. If they continue to keep bringing in produce like strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes and squash at their current rate, Southeast farmers will continue to suffer.

    “The primary issue is if you can’t sell your crop for more than you’ve got in it, then obviously you’re backing up,” said Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA-08). “It doesn’t cost as much to farm in Mexico as it does in the United States. Our producers are losing significant portions of the market share. It is predominantly coming from the imports from Mexico. As Mexico has set aside more protected acres for agriculture, it makes it easier for their farmers to do business.

    “We as a country have been flooded by imports who have a lower cost of production than U.S. producers. It’s been moving in the wrong direction for a while. I think now it’s just moving further faster with COVID because your fresh fruits and vegetables; the restaurants that were serving them are at half capacity if they’re open at all.”

    Mexico Government Provides Support

    According to University of Florida Associate Professor Zhengfei Guan, approximately 95% of Mexico’s protected acreage (those in macro-tunnels, shade houses and greenhouses) is for fruits and vegetables. The Mexican government also subsidizes its fruit and vegetable industry. From 2006 to 2016, the average annual budget for subsidies was $4.5 billion.

    “Agriculture has significantly more support in Mexico than we have in the United States right now, unfortunately. When I say more support, I mean at the national level,” Scott said.

    It has created a concern that other farmers have voiced: Where will our children and grandchildren get their food one day? As more and more producers are forced to quit because of an inability to stay in business, who will produce food in America?

    “I don’t want to be dependent on any section of the world for our food and our nutrition. We do very little in this country to help our Ag producers. We’re competing with other countries that do a lot and have a lower cost of production. Every time the federal government passes a rule and regulation that increases the cost of production within the United States, it’s done at the expense of U.S. food security,” Scott said.

  • Chill Effect: Cold Temperatures Impact North Alabama Crops

    Cold temperatures provided a scare for vegetable and fruit producers in north Alabama last weekend. They were especially concerning for peach farmers, said Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama.

    File photo shows blooming peach trees.

    “We’re probably taking a little bit of a hit. But growers often leave more than they should at times. Maybe it’s just a little natural thinning, because we haven’t done our thinning yet,” Schavey said. “We like to thin them when they’re like grape size. Now it’ll be a little selective there on your thinning. In the past I’ve had these peach growers talk about these freezes and they think, ‘Man, I’m not going to have anything.’ It ends up being one of their best peach production years because it did thin a lot of peaches off their tree. It put all of that energy into the ones that are viable there.”

    Schavey is optimistic largely because the outcome could have been a lot worse. There was plenty of wind during last weekend’s cold snap. Schavey believes the wind held some of the frost back in various places.

    “Frost didn’t start laying until around 5 a.m. We only had a brief window of that frost being on there before we started getting that radiant heat from the sun melting it,” Schavey said.

    North Alabama Temperatures

    Schavey is based in northeast Alabama and is responsible for Blount County, Cherokee County, Cullman County, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Jackson County, Madison County and Marshall County. He said temperatures dropped as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit in Valley Head, north of Fort Payne.

    Cold temperatures impacted some other crops in north Alabama as well.

    “Strawberries, not as bad, we still had row covers and everything on. Plums took a big hit. A lot of our plums were in full bloom. They’ve taken a big hit on that,” Schavey said. “Some of our high tunnel producers that had some tomatoes out already are seeing a little bit of cold damage. Mainly that’s due from their high tunnels not being as tight, air flow wise, as they did when they closed it down.”

  • Georgia Fruit Crops Impacted by Cold Temperatures

    South Georgia vegetables were not the only crops vulnerable to last weekend’s chilly temperatures. Fruit in middle and north Georgia were subjected to even colder temperatures. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen is concerned about the state’s grape, apple and peach crops.

    Phillip Brannen

    “I think there will be some significant damage on grapes, anything that was advanced. I think most of the grapes are still not that advanced, so I’m hopeful that’s going to help. But it’s pretty cold temperatures,” Brannen said.

    Brannen said Chardonnay grapes are often the variety that comes out the earliest. It was definitely the most vulnerable to any frost damage.

    “Most of the time Chardonnay by this time would have some shoot development. Those shoots would be fried, as far as those young shoots,” Brannen said. “You can have secondary fruit production on buds. There are secondary buds that will produce fruit, but you’re going to have a much reduced crop from those secondary buds. As long as the secondary buds were not damaged, we can still have a crop of grapes even in things that were pretty far advanced.”

    Apple and Peach Crops

    The outcome may be just as significant for Georgia’s apple and peach crops.

    “When you’re looking at north Georgia, a lot of the apple trees were in full bloom. Depending on what stage they were in, they could be damaged pretty severely again this year. We had a lot of damage last year, but I think we’re going to have a good bit this year. We had two nights with really cold temperatures,” Brannen said. “I’m concerned about apples, peaches in north Georgia, same thing. A lot of them were in full bloom or just post bloom, and that kind of temperatures for as long of a period as we had is going to be pretty significant as far as damage.”

    Brannen estimated that temperatures in the north Georgia mountains dipped as low as 25 degrees or 26 degrees Fahrenheit. In Athens, Georgia where Brannen’s located, the temperature dropped to about 30 degrees. He’s concerned about middle Georgia peaches as well, where he heard temperatures dropped below 30 degrees in one orchard.

    “I’m hopeful on peaches in middle Georgia it’s just going to kind of thin them as opposed to causing major issues. But it remains to be seen,” Brannen said.

  • South Florida Producers Dealing with Abnormally Dry Conditions

    South Florida is abnormally dry. While it is not uncommon this time of year, vegetable and specialty crop producers are having to adjust with their irrigation management, says Gene McAvoy, University of Florida Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus.

    “It’s pretty characteristic of this time of year in South Florida. We’re in the height of our dry season now. We had a little rain with the last front that went through; anywhere from a few tenths to a half inch, but yeah, it’s dry out there,” McAvoy said.

    According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the majority of middle Florida to South Florida is classified as ‘D0’ or abnormally dry. With hot and dry conditions being the case for most of this region, it can lead to additional concerns for farmers beyond just water needs.

    “Seasonally, we’re seeing an increase in insect pressure, particularly, things like whiteflies, worms, pepper weevils. Again, it kind of goes with this time of year. We’ve been planting since August, so populations build up,” McAvoy said.

  • South Carolina Farmers Excited for 2021 Growing Season

    COLUMBIA — Who wouldn’t love juicy red strawberries, sweet watermelons, refreshing cucumbers, ripe peaches, fresh butter beans or vibrant basil? It’s that time of year again in South Carolina. Specialty crop farmers are growing and harvesting fresh food to feed their communities across the state.

    Weathers

    “Our farmers worked hard to sustain us through the pandemic, and in 2021, I hope South Carolinians will show them some love,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “You can support local farmers by choosing Certified South Carolina foods at the grocery store and farmers market and seeking out Fresh on the Menu restaurants.”

    “Everybody has a favorite preacher and mechanic, but they need to find their favorite farmer,” said Josh Johnson of Old Tyme Bean Co., an Elloree farmer and chair of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association.

    “When you support your local agricultural community, you’re not only investing in the future but providing yourself with nutritious food,” said LauraKate McAllister, executive director of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association.

    Specialty Crops

    Here are some of the specialty crops South Carolina farmers will harvest in the coming months:

    April: Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Cabbage, Carrots, Cilantro, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Microgreens, Mushrooms, Mustard & Turnip Greens, Onions, Parsley, Peas (sugar/snap), Radishes, Rutabagas, Strawberries, Swiss Chard, Turnips

    May: Arugula, Asparagus, Basil, Beans (Snap/Pole), Beets, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Collards, Cucumbers, Fennel, Green Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuces, Microgreens, Mushrooms, Mustard & Turnip Greens, Onions, Parsley, Peas (sugar/snap), Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Zucchini

    June: Basil, Beans (Snap/Pole), Blackberries, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Butter Beans, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cilantro, Collards, Cucumbers, Edamame, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Kohlrabi, Microgreens, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Peaches, Peas (sugar/snap), Peppers, Plums, Radishes, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Corn, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Watermelon, Zucchini

    For more information on what’s in season, visit certifiedsc.com.

    Farmer Quotes

    Nathan Vanette, Growing Green Family Farms, Anderson: “COVID has hit all of us hard in unexpected ways. Knowing your farmer and the local agriculture community has become vital to nourishing our bodies while supporting the heart of community. There has been a breach in the knowledge of where food comes from. As a farmer, this has made telling our story all the more important as we work to bring you food with more nourishment, flavor and diversity.”

    Tim Rowe, Blue Sky Sunny Day Farm, Walterboro; and a board member of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association: “When you buy direct from a farmer, you are engaging in a time-honored tradition. Your support of local farmers provides you with seasonal vegetables grown in your area that are picked at the peak of flavor and ensures there will be farms in your community tomorrow.”

    Gregory Brown, Greenleaf Farms, Columbia: “Buying local means buying fresh, rather than worrying about how old it is or where it came from. Your money supports the local economy and not a far-off corporation.”

    Ron Robinson, Ron’s Roots, Summerville; and a board member of the South Carolina Specialty Crop Growers Association: “You can never really understand the meaning of ‘fresh’ until you have the opportunity to enjoy vegetables ripened on the vine. Please take the time to visit your local farmers market as these men and women love what they do and always try to ensure their customers’ satisfaction with the best taste and quality.”

  • GFVGA Briefs Warnock, Bishop on Top Fruit and Vegetable Issues

    By Mary Kendall Dixon

    U.S. Congressman Sanford Bishop hosted U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock for a tour of several South Georgia farms on Wednesday, March 31. The congressman coordinated with the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, GFVGA, to connect the senator with several Georgia fruit and vegetable farmers, tour their operations and learn about the issues they face as an industry.

    Farmer Dick Minor and Charles Hall, GFVGA Executive Director (far right), talk with Senator Raphael Warnock (far left) and Congressman Sanford Bishop.

    The tour began at Minor Produce in Sumter County. Farm co-owner Dick Minor provided an overview of the farm operation and industry issues.

    Several fruit and vegetable growers participated in the round-table discussion with Senator Warnock and Congressman Bishop on trade, labor and agricultural research needs. The growers focused on the impact seasonal dumping of produce in domestic markets from Mexico has had on American growers, issues with current farm worker legislation and the importance of continued funding for whitefly research at the University of Georgia’s College Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Fort Valley State University.

    “We appreciate the congressman and senator coming and meeting with us,” said Minor, chairman of the Georgia Commodity Commission for Vegetables. “We also appreciate their work to help the Georgia fruit and vegetable industry.”

    Industry Leaders

    Congressman Bishop serves as the chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee and he serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Senator Warnock joined the U.S. Senate Ag Committee and is chairman of the Senate Ag subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade.

    Senator Warnock and Congressman Bishop ended the day with a visit to Dollison Farm in Poulan, Ga. They toured this farm-to-table operation that specializes in swine, vegetables and peanuts and discussed the value-added products Dollison markets. The visit also included a discussion on USDA programming for minority growers and the need for further promotion and communication of new program availability.       

    “As a new member of the Senate Ag Committee it is important that Senator Warnock is aware of the issues that deeply affect our Georgia farmers,” said Charles Hall, GFVGA Executive Director. “We appreciate their support of the Georgia specialty crop industry and look forward to working with them.”

  • Crops Update: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates Across State

    Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state.

    Weekly Field Update 4-5-21

    Coastal

    Zack Snipes reports, “Temperatures checked in at 28 degrees Fahrenheit at the northern end of Charleston County one night this past week. Strawberries were covered, but some blossoms are showing damage. The weather this week should really push berries and give us our first big flush of the season. Lots of acres of tomatoes are planted, and before the cold were looking pretty good. Time will tell how much the cold will slow them down. It has been very windy in the Lowcountry as well, which I think has slowed down development on some crops. Spring brassicas are looking great with very low worm pressure right now. That does not mean we should stop scouting. Populations can jump very quickly.”

    Tomatoes were looking okay before the cold nights. Photo from Zack Snipes.
    A fall seeded brassica crop beside strawberries is blooming. The thought behind this cover crop is the early blooms will encourage beneficial insects that will prey on the early season thrips which have been causing lots of cosmetic damage on strawberries the past few years. Photo from Zack Snipes.

    Midlands

    Justin Ballew reports, “We had a couple of frosts late last week and the temperature got down to 30 degrees at my house. Growers covered their strawberry fields, so we don’t expect to see any damage there. We’re getting very close to picking on a larger scale. I’ve seen some nutrient deficiencies in a few strawberry fields, so be sure to tissue sample periodically and adjust fertigation accordingly. Now that we’re into April and the forecast looks warm, many growers will begin planting cucurbit crops this week. A few already had seed in the ground before the frost. The first plantings of sweet corn are up and growing well.”

    One of the first plantings of sweet corn is up and looking good. Photo from Justin Ballew.

    Pee Dee

    Tony Melton reports, “Still determining damage from frost. One grower had 40 acres of butterbeans emerging – sprayed with a frost control product. Sweet potatoes slips are up, covered with plastic, and beds are covered with slips (about a month out from planting). Cabbage is beginning to cup, head and touch in the rows. Asparagus was hurt by cold and most harvest is over. Starting to plant pickles, peppers and tomatoes. Picked all ripe fruit and sprayed for disease before frost – this coming weekend will be a good harvest for most growers.”

    Upstate

    Kerrie Roach reports, “With some very cold nights last week in the upstate, the apple and peach crops took a significant hit. With extreme differences in topography, each grower has different severities of loss, but the overall consensus is not great. It will be another week to tell for sure on the apples and a little over a week to tell on the peach crop with certainty. One orchard recorded a low of 25 degrees Fahrenheit on the first night and 26 degrees the following night. Night one was actually less damaging because of a persistent wind, where night two was calm and allowed the cold air to settle in. As we assess damages in the orchards, here is a great explanation of how it is done: https://extension.psu.edu/orchard-frost-assessing-fruit-bud-survival