The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) issued a statement following Thursday’s U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) hearing regarding the impact of imports on the Southeast domestic cucumber and squash crops. The statement read:
“Today’s hearing was a positive development in our ongoing efforts to secure trade relief for Florida growers. For decades, unfair trade practices from Mexico and other foreign sources have caused immense harm to produce growers in Florida, including significant lost sales and market share, unsustainably low unfair prices, and shuttered family farms.
“Trade relief is desperately needed, not only for our cucumber and squash growers, but for our bell pepper, strawberry, blueberry, and other Florida produce sectors that are also facing harmful impacts and a highly uncertain future due to unfair imports. We continue to see imports from Mexico crippling growers of more than 20 other specialty crops in Florida.
“We commend the International Trade Commission for working to help solve this longstanding and growing threat to the Southeast produce industry. Effective, swift relief is needed to give our Florida produce growers a future and ensure that American families are not dependent on foreign imports for their produce supplies during the winter and spring months of the year.”
Florida farmer Marie Bedner said it best: “We need relief, and we need it now.”
The Florida farmer testified on Thursday during the U.S. International Trade Commission hearing regarding the impact that imports of squash and cucumbers are having on the domestic industry.
Dumping Produce
Bedner cited Mexico’s low labor costs and government subsidies for how Mexico can sell its produce for a fraction of what growers like Bedner need. One of her biggest gripes, though, is the act of dumping produce.
“Our sales team has been told by one of the large buyers that truckloads of Mexican cucumbers will be delivered to his dock during our season with an open ticket. This means that a buyer can pay whatever price they want per box,” Bedner said. “Our operation cost per box of cucumbers is substantially more than what it is for growers in Mexico. A box of our produce has a set price that we simply cannot drop below because of what our expenses are to produce that box. Not surprisingly, the buyer stops purchasing American grown produce from us and takes that Mexican grown produce at a fraction of the cost of our load.
“It’s a classic case of dumping that occurs frequently, and it’s getting much, more worse.”
It’s gotten worse because nothing has been done to curtail the practice. Hopefully, for Florida and Georgia producers that will soon change. It needs to if American agriculture is going to survive.
“Their costs to produce that box of produce is significantly less than ours. This puts us at an extreme disadvantage on a playing field that doesn’t come close to being level,” Bedner said. “The future of farming in our area in South Florida is very bleak. Up and down the road from our location, growers have made the decision to sell their land because they simply can’t compete.”
It’s a disheartening scenario but one that farmers face every day due to rising imports from Mexico.
Sam Watson
“Every morning I start my day by spending hours on the phone with produce buyers across the country, trying to sell my product. I get the same answer, ‘No, we don’t need any,’ they would say,” said Georgia farmer Sam Watson. “At least they’re honest, they tell me they can get it cheaper in Mexico. Maybe try us next week.”
For some growers, they’re running out of weeks.
Few Choices
Watson, along with other producers in Georgia and Florida, testified in a U.S. International Trade Commission hearing on Thursday about the impact that imports of cucumbers and squash are having on the domestic industry. One of Watson’s main points of emphasis is that the American consumers are not being offered any choices anymore. Grocery stores are becoming more and more reliant on supplying foreign produce.
“What’s interesting is the American consumer is still paying the same price at the grocery store. I firmly believe that if American consumers were given a choice between U.S. grown and imported produce, they would choose to buy American. Problem is they have no choice anymore,” Watson said. “We cannot become a country that’s dependent on others for our food supply. Watch all the farmers go under and that is exactly what will happen.”
Cheap labor, low input costs, subsidization by the Mexican government and less regulatory environment contribute to a rise in imports.
“When you combine all of these advantages, I find it hard to believe that anyone can say that the American farmers participate in fair trade,” Watson said. “We’re not saying we want to stop the importation of fresh fruits and vegetables into this country. We just want protections and safeguards put into place to provide for fair trade.”
Not everyone believes there is a problem with Mexican imports and their impact on the domestic industry. In fact, Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of Americas, believes “Mexico cannot be blamed” for many of the issues Southeast farmers are trying to overcome.
“In reality, many of the problems facing the Southeast growers – labor, hurricanes, real estate development, consumer demand – have nothing to do with Mexican imports but everything to do with the growers’ inability or unwillingness to supply that market as demanded,” Jungmeyer said.
Labor
Labor rates play a significant role in comparing the Florida vs. Mexico. It was established during Thursday’s ITC hearing regarding the impact imports have on the Southeast domestic market, that Mexico’s minimum wage is $10 per day. Florida just voted to increase its minimum wage that will increase to $15 per hour over the next few years.
Jungmeyer was also critical of Florida and Georgia’s usage of the H-2A program and believes their lack of available workers has led to quality issues.
“Mexico cannot be blamed for U.S. farmers not having labor, agricultural workers, to work in their fields. Perishable products such as cucumbers and squash are labor intensive crops, particularly for the harvesting and packing. Without adequate labor, Southeast growers are at a severe disadvantage in how they grow and pack. Their products result in a distinct quality disadvantage that U.S. retail customers clearly recognize,” Jungmeyer said.
Industry leaders in Florida and Georgia insist, though, there is not a labor shortage.
Weather Issues
Jungmeyer’s defense of Mexican imports also centered on hurricanes that are an annual threat to Florida production.
“Mexico cannot be blamed for the hurricanes and tropical storms that cause damage to crops. The threat of bad weather is reason alone why many retail customers seek Mexican suppliers to at least backstop the risk of Florida suppliers running into weather-related supply problems. This happens in Georgia as well. The risk of hurricanes is also a significant disincentive for southeast growers to pursue using protected agriculture to grow cucumbers and squash,” Jungmeyer said.
He also mentioned real estate development for a reason that many Florida producers have sold land instead of continuing the family business.
Consumer preference was his final point of defense. Jungmeyer claims consumers just prefer Mexican produce compared to American producers.
“Consumer choices have evolved to favor premium produce items like fancy squashes and cucumbers. This is in a way similar to how consumers choose bell peppers that are grown in protected agriculture because of the variety and color of peppers available and even the perfect appearance of those green protected agriculture peppers. We also have a perfect appearance in Mexican squash and cucumbers,” Jungmeyer said. “The extreme high quality in imported Mexican produce (distributors) sell gives them a significant demand edge in the market.”
It continues to be hot and dry in South Florida. The abnormally dry conditions cover much of middle Florida down to South Florida, according to the US Drought Monitor.
Portions of South Florida, including Monroe County, Collier County, Hendry County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County are classified as ‘D1’ or in a moderate drought.
Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Manatee County, southern Pasco County and western Polk County are the only parts of central Florida not abnormally dry.
In Georgia, the only part of the state abnormally dry is in north Georgia, extending from Henry County and Clayton County to Elbert County and Hart County. The western part of the state, along the Georgia-Alabama line, including Haralson County, Carroll County, Heard County and part of Troup County are abnormally dry as well.
The only part of Alabama that is abnormally dry is along the Alabama-Georgia line, including Cleburne County, Randolph County, Chambers County, Tallapoosa County, Clay County and small parts of Talladega County and Calhoun County.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried pleaded with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) that Mexican imports of cucumbers and squash are devastating the domestic market, especially her state’s farmers.
In testimony delivered as part of the USITC hearing on the effects of imports on Southeast markets on Thursday, Fried pointed to the statistical impact of both commodities.
From 2015 to 2019, there was an estimated $382 million in lost cash receipts for Florida squash farmers. That equates to 1,222 fewer jobs and a $756 million negative impact.
From 2015 to 2020, there were $562 million in lost cash receipts for Florida’s cucumber farmers. That equates to 1,499 fewer jobs and an overall negative impact of $1.11 billion.
“That’s billion with a ‘B’. That’s over 2,500 good-paying jobs lost, family farms shutting down and parents struggling to provide for their children,” Fried said.
Competitive Disadvantage
She stressed that Florida farmers are at a huge disadvantage, specifically with regards to labor. As Florida approved measures to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour over the next few years, Mexican farmers can pay their workers as little as 25 cents per day.
Florida’s $90.9 million cucumber industry and $35.4 million squash industry are in danger of dropping even further than it has over the last 20 years.
“The argument that the devastation being felt among Florida’s producers is being caused by increased domestic competition is proven to be simply not true,” Fried said. “As these unfair practices are allowed to continue with no protections or remedies within reach of our domestic producers, we continue to see the harm spread to other states.”
She stated that Georgia’s market share for squash growers decreased by 83.9% from 2015 to 2020.
Hopeful for Different Outcome
Fried also pleaded with the USITC to come to a different outcome than what it generated during the blueberry hearing. It was different commodities but same concept – imports are hurting the domestic market. The USITC voted 5-0 against American farmers claiming serious injury.
“The last time I was here before you, I testified virtually on behalf of our state’s $62.3 million blueberry industry. In that January hearing, we also provided overwhelming evidence and data to support our case. Farmers from Florida and across the United States testified on the personal hardships they have experienced, while Mexico’s blueberry market share in the United States increased by over 2000% since 2009,” Fried said.
“While the ruling in that case was extremely disappointing, it speaks to the need to reform and underlining structure that denies equal access to our nation’s trade remedies for our seasonal producers. It is my hope that while the ITC continues to uncover the devastating impact that increased imports are inflicting upon our domestic cucumber and squash industries, along with your ongoing monitoring of fresh strawberries and bell pepper imports, you will also employ all tools at your disposal to provide equity and fairness for American farmers.”
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — One of the most destructive pests of crops in Alabama roam 365 days per year. Feral hogs will damage food plots and a myriad of other natural resources.
Alabama Feral Swine Control Program
The Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee recently launched a three-year program to help farmers remove wild pigs from their property. The Alabama Feral Swine Control Program originated in the 2018 Farm Bill. It is funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Feral Swine Control Program is available in select portions of Alabama.
Mark Smith, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System wildlife specialist, said although wild pigs allow hunters an opportunity to harvest wild pork throughout the year, wild pigs cause tremendous damage.
“Wild pigs cause more than $55 million a year in agriculture damage in Alabama,” Smith said. “Other states such as Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana report similar damage nearing about $100 million each year.”
The USDA program offers landowners two options: Landowners can receive assistance from USDA Wildlife Services to conduct wild pig removal operations and/or substantial rebates. Program participants can receive up to 70% off on purchases of high-tech trapping equipment. This equipment allows farmers to catch the pigs easier and remove them.
“Help is on the way for farmers whose land falls within the Feral Swine Control Program area,” Smith said. “Assistance like this doesn’t happen often. All eyes are on this program for the next couple of years to measure its success.”
More Information
To learn more about the Alabama Feral Swine Control Program, and if you qualify for assistance, visit the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation website. Contact Bence Carter or Mark Smith for more information and to find out how Extension can assist your operation.
According to UF/IFAS, Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to swing back and forth across the South Florida region. While flower thrips are the predominant species north of Miami-Dade, a few locations still are reporting ABT at the dominant species.
ABT populations ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 per bloom in southeastern Hendry County. Populations were reduced where records of 10 ABT per bloom were previously located to 0.1 to 1.1 per bloom. A change in the user’s pesticide program to include 5 modes of action multiple sprays per week is likely the reason for the population drop.
ABT populations ranged from 0.0 to 2.0 ABT per bloom at bloom and early pod development stages in northeastern Hendry County. Hotspots were reported in central Hendry County, where populations ranged from 0.1 to 1.6 ABT per bud or bloom.
Populations increased to 1.0 to 2.0 ABT per bloom or 1.0 to 5.0 ABT per plant in eastern Palm Beach County. A few hotspots remain in western and northwestern Palm Beach County, with reports of 1.0 to 2.0 ABT per bloom.
Snap bean plantings are still young in southern Martin County, so ABT was not reported. Beans were harvested, and young peas were not yet scouted in northern Collier County.
Another southern pea season means one thing for Alabama producers; cowpea curculio will be a factor.
“If you’re a southern pea grower, odds are you have seen this insect or will see this insect at some point in the production cycle,” said Neil Kelly, Alabama Extension Regional agent in Southeast Alabama. “Over the last several years, it has become devastating to southern pea crops in the Southeast for sure.”
As devastating as cowpea curculios can be, it’s important that growers utilize every tool in the toolbox.
Crop rotation helps prevent pest buildup. Spray frequently in 3-to-5-day intervals when label permits. Alternative insecticides applied to the soil and foliar application need high moisture.
Kelly recommends that growers start insecticidal treatments two to three weeks before flowering. Second generation curculios can overwhelm the crop if not controlled.
Mix PBO with synthetic pyrethroids, but it’s important to rotate chemicals to prevent resistance.
Another important management tactic is also something that should be done every year – scouting. Get ahead of the problem before it worsens throughout the season.
“Obviously, you’ve got to get out there and do your scouting. You’ve got to be diligent,” Kelly said. “You need to scout early in the morning. These insects have a tendency to go down and hide when the sun is bright. Usually, peak activity is sometime around 9:30, 10 o’clock in the morning. Much after that, it starts to get hot, and you’ll see them move further down in the canopy.”
What makes curculios difficult to spot is they’ll drop down and play possum at the base of the plants. It’s also important to check the weeds around the field, specifically broomsedge, narrow-leaved vetch and purple cudweed. Growers need to intensify scouting when flowering begins.
Last year it was ensuring worker safety in the early stage of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, the focus is making sure workers have access to vaccines.
It’s a tale of two seasons but one constant remains – COVID-19, says Allison Crittenden, Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF).
“I think if you zoom out to when the pandemic first started, we were very concerned about the ability of our workers to even get to our farms and be able to work. As soon as they got here, we were incredibly concerned and put measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus and prevent anybody from getting sick. Not only do we care about these individuals and their health, but with labor intensive agriculture, you have to have the workers there to help you plant the crop and harvest it,” Crittenden said. “If folks are not feeling well or if they have coronavirus, that can certainly limit the folks that are able to get the job done on the farm.
“We care about our employees, and we want to make sure we’re able to produce our food supply. We know we can’t do that without them. It’s really important that these essential workers have access to vaccines, so we don’t have to deal with any of the uncertainties that we did in our last summer and last growing season and harvest.”
Education is Key
Crittenden said American Farm Bureau Federation has joined the White House COVID Community Corps, which centers on vaccine messaging and encouraging people to get their shot. She’s hopeful that by being part of this educational initiative, they’ll have access to tools to help people understand the vaccine’s benefits.
“We know that farmers and ranchers and their employees haven’t had the option to telework, because of that, that’s why we’ve advocated for food and Ag to have prioritized access to the vaccine. We’re very pleased that supply is ramping up. Now that we’re moving, hopefully, away from demand concerns, we’re able to focus our effort only on continuing to make sure food and Ag is prioritized. But we also want to ensure folks in agriculture understand the importance of getting the vaccine and that it’s safe and effective,” Crittenden said.
President Joe Biden also bumped up the deadline for all adults to be eligible for the vaccine by April 19.
“It certainly sounds like things are opening up when it comes to vaccines and vaccine availability,” Crittenden said. “We certainly recognize it’s a medical choice and voluntary. But we want folks to understand this is an important step to finally being done with this pandemic.”
