Price tumble for fresh market vegetables
A steady supply of fresh-market vegetables is causing price reductions for farmers. While it is expected that demand for fresh vegetables will continue a “slow growth” as consumers continue to improve their diets, prices are not expected to climb, which doesn’t bode well for growers in the short term.
Pigweed in a class alone among cotton pests
Growing at rates as fast as 2 inches a day, pigweed has been known to reach a height of 9 feet and a weight of 40 pounds, far exceeding the dimensions of any of its competitors.
Search for methyl bromide replacement marches on
While the phase-out of methyl bromide has been challenging for many vegetable producers, researchers have been working diligently to come up with effective alternatives, and there is success to report.
Fresh vegetable market indicates improved supplies, lower prices
The outlook for fresh vegetables this winter indicates greatly improved supplies and much lower prices. At the same time, demand is expected to continue to slowly improve as consumers cautiously return to away-from-home meals. The largest market for U.S. vegetable exports is Canada, which purchased 46 percent of shipments in 2011. Japan and Mexico are by far the next largest markets for U.S.-grown vegetables.
Alabama immigration law called America's toughest
Alabama lawmakers who sponsored and voted for the state’s new immigration enforcement legislation call it the toughest such law in the country, and they’ll get no argument from farmers, who say they suffered harvest losses this year because they couldn’t find enough workers to pick their crops. Provisions requiring all Alabama employers to use the federal E-Verify system won’t become effective until April 1, of 2012.
U.S. cattle market headed for big price swings
Factors to watch in the 2012 market include the current weak U.S. economy, high levels of unemployment, lack of consumer confidence, political gridlock and chaos at all levels of government, an upcoming U.S. presidential election, and various other issues.
Farm planning and financing often overlooked
The interaction of farm planning and financing is a concept that’s too often overlooked by growers, but it’s one that can help you reach your goals over time, says Marshall Lamb, research director with the National Peanut Research Laboratory in Dawson, Ga. “Too many farmers do not plan on where they’re going,” says Lamb.
Surge in vegetable prices over last year
During the first seven months of this year, farm prices for fresh-market vegetables averaged 14 percent above a year earlier, according to the latest USDA Vegetables and Melons Outlook. After declining 4 percent from a year earlier this past spring, farm prices were expected to average at or below a year earlier this summer, with weather-delayed crops coming to harvest and crowding the market through August.
Immigration reform could have impact on agriculture
Faced with falling tax revenues and the loss of federal stimulus funds, the priority of many state legislatures this year has been simply to balance their budgets, but some laws have been approved and others are pending that could have an impact on farmers.
U.S. fresh-market vegetable acreage up slightly
At least every five years, the Watermelon Research and Promotion Plan requires changes in the rule based on a review of watermelon production, the amount of assessments paid in each of the current districts and changes to the number of importer seats.
