Carrot Country

Author: Dave Alexander

  • New USDA Survey to Measure Areas for Improvement

    New USDA Survey to Measure Areas for Improvement

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new annual survey of farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners.

    The survey will help USDA understand what it is doing well and where improvements are needed, specifically at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA).

    A selection of 28,000 producers will receive the survey over the next few weeks, but all farmers are encouraged to take the survey at farmers.gov/survey.

    “We want to hear from our customers so we can learn what we’re doing right and where we’re missing the mark,” Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey said. “Good data is critical to good decision-making. The more responses we receive, the better we can understand what we need to do to improve our services to America’s farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners.”

    The survey consists of 20 questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Responses are confidential, and individual responses will be aggregated.

    The survey will be open for at least six weeks and will be closed once USDA receives a 30% response rate.

    Learn more and take the survey at www.farmers.gov/survey.

  • Unsolicited China Seeds Are Just Seeds

    Unsolicited China Seeds Are Just Seeds

    Osama El-Lissy, with the Plant Protection program of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), said in a statement that the unsolicited seed packets postmarked from China have contained several plant species.

    “We have identified 14 different species of seeds, including mustard, cabbage, morning glory and some of the herbs, like mint, sage, rosemary, lavender. Then other seeds like hibiscus and roses. This is just a sub-set of the samples we’ve collected so far”, El-Lissy said.

    The seeds have sparked rumors about bioterrorism.

    SOURCE: APHPIS

  • Potential for Washington to Produce New Vegetable Crops

    Potential for Washington to Produce New Vegetable Crops

    Washington State could become the new California in vegetable production as the climate warms.

    A new article explores a future with increased vegetable production in Washington’s irrigated Columbia Basin, and what that might mean for crop yields, economic returns, and irrigation water use and greenhouse gas emissions.

    With a focus on  tomato, carrots, broccoli, spinach and lettuce:

    CLICK TO READ

    SOURCE: Agriculture Climate Network

  • Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness Launches New Website

    Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness Launches New Website

    In a press release, Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness has announced the launch of a new and improved website at wilburellisagribusiness.com. Grower focus groups, feedback sessions and much more went into developing a website that better fits growers’ needs with easier navigation, better search functions and an overall improved user experience.

    The website features a fresh, updated look to help drive Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness into the future of agriculture. Customers and other visitors will see firsthand the results of a strong focus on the user experience, allowing them to find and discover the exact products and services their operation needs. The addition of a new, streamlined locations page allows users to find their nearest Wilbur-Ellis branch, contact representatives near them and fine-tune their solutions even further.

    SOURCE: Wilbur-Ellis Agribusiness

  • USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds from China

    USDA Investigates Packages of Unsolicited Seeds from China

    In a press release, USDA said they are aware that people across the country have received suspicious, unsolicited packages of seed that appear to be coming from China. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, other federal agencies, and State departments of agriculture to investigate the situation.

    USDA urges anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds to immediately contact their State plant regulatory official or APHIS State plant health director. Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.

    At this time, USDA doesn’t have any evidence indicating this is something other than a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales. USDA is currently collecting seed packages from recipients and will test their contents and determine if they contain anything that could be of concern to U.S. agriculture or the environment.

    USDA is committed to preventing the unlawful entry of prohibited seeds and protecting U.S. agriculture from invasive pests and noxious weeds. Visit the APHIS’ website to learn more about USDA’s efforts to stop agricultural smuggling and promote trade compliance.

  • WSU Seeks Survey Responses From Columbia Basin Carrot Growers

    WSU Seeks Survey Responses From Columbia Basin Carrot Growers

    Washington State University (WSU) is conducting a short survey regarding beet leafhopper management in commercial carrot crops produced in the Columbia Basin. 

    The survey is limited to carrot producers in the Columbia Basin region.  The survey will take about 3 minutes, and responses are anonymous. 

    CLICK TO TAKE SURVEY

  • Ritchie Bros. Donates $187,500 to Food Banks

    Ritchie Bros. Donates $187,500 to Food Banks

    With the massive economic impact of COVID-19, the need for full food banks is more important than ever and asset management and disposition company Ritchie Bros. has stepped up to help. Over the past several weeks, Ritchie Bros. has made $187,500 in donations to 52 different food banks around the world, including organizations in United States, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

    The donations included $85,000 donated to U.S. food banks and $67,500 to Canadian food banks

    “Right now there are tens of millions of men and women out of work, worried about how they are going to continue putting food on the table for themselves and their families—we are just trying to do our small part to help,” said Ann Fandozzi, Chief Executive Officer, Ritchie Bros. “We hope our donations will inspire our employees and customers to give back to their community—with their time and/or their money. Please join us in supporting food banks around the world.”

    One of the company’s larger donations was a $25,000 grant made to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank in British Columbia, Canada, where Ritchie Bros.’ head office and several hundred of its employees call home.

  • Carrot Volume, Prices Up

    Carrot Volume, Prices Up

    The national carrot market shows higher volume and pricing than the previous two years.

    While those two things don’t usually go hand-in-hand, two factors may be leading unusual strength to the market. The pandemic has seen stronger consumer demand for many vegetables, and carrots are among them, posting 5-10 percent higher year-over-year retail sales in June.

    Carrots are also a common item in a food box, and the USDA’s program started in mid-May and continues today, which could be propping up the market.

    READ THE FULL STORY FROM BLUE BOOK SERVICES

  • USDA Buys $992,000 in Diced Carrots

    USDA Buys $992,000 in Diced Carrots

    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchased Frozen Seasonal Vegetables for distribution to the National School Lunch and other Federal Food and Nutrition Programs for Fiscal Year 2020.

    The carrot purchase was split between two vendors and totals $992,240.40.

    The purchase is the result of offers received in response to Solicitation No. 2000007055 dated June 8, 2020.

    The materials were purchased on an f.o.b. destination basis. Deliveries are to be made from October 1, 2020 to December 15, 2020.

    SEE FULL AWARD HERE

  • Webinar July 8: Strengthening Organic Rules

    Webinar July 8: Strengthening Organic Rules

    The USDA National Organic Program’s (NOP) Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) proposed rule will be published soon in the Federal Register.

    In anticipation of the publication, NOP will hold an informational webinar to provide an overview of the proposed changes and how they may impact organic farms and businesses.

    Webinar links and details: July 8, 1 p.m. Eastern Time

    Proposed Rule Impact

    USDA says stronger market oversight is needed to protect businesses and consumers who choose the organic option. This proposed rule significantly updates the USDA organic regulations to strengthen oversight and enforcement throughout the organic supply chain. SOE will implement provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and address recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board and the USDA Office of Inspector General.

    When the proposed rule publishes in the Federal Register, it will open a 60-day comment period, and NOP will send an Organic Insider email with details on how to submit comments.