Author: Dave Alexander

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program will host two live, interactive webinars in August 2018 on how to become approved to sell to the USDA Foods program.

Both sessions will cover:

• Steps to become a USDA “approved vendor”

• Links and tools that can help you through the new vendor registration process

• A review of the Master Solicitation and Product Specifications

• Next steps after approval

The webinars are FREE. However, registration is required and space is limited.

Click these links to sign up:

Thurs, Aug. 16

Thurs, Aug. 23

For more information about the webinars or AMS, contact Jeffrey Davis at (202) 306-2673 or jeffrey.davis4@ams.usda.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Commodity Procurement Program purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed commodity food products, through a competitive process among approved vendors. The purchase activities support American agriculture by encouraging the consumption of domestic foods. Wholesome, high-quality products, collectively called USDA Foods, are delivered to schools, food banks, and households in communities across the country and are a vital component of our nation’s food safety net. More information is available on the AMS Commodity Procurement webpage.

BioConsortia, Inc., innovator of microbial solutions for natural plant trait enhancement and yield improvement, announced the promotion of Dr. Hong Zhu to Senior Vice President of Research and Development. Dr. Hong Zhu will lead the next phase of expansion of BioConsortia’s Advanced Microbial Selection (AMS) technology platform, including discovery pipelines, product development, and commercialization. In his new role, Dr. Zhu will oversee R&D operations, set R&D strategies, and direct scientists at the company’s New Zealand research center and U.S. Headquarters.

Dr. Zhu joined BioConsortia in 2016 from Bayer CropScience to lead the company’s development programs. He has more than 20 years of industry experience in developing microbial based biopesticides, bioherbicides and biofetilizers. Since joining BioConsortia, Dr. Zhu has driven enhancements in the proprietary AMS process to speed time-to-value. He has honed in on industry needs, strengthened the R&D portfolio, and been instrumental in moving a number of leads into product development. Leading the R&D team as one group is a natural fit for him.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sue Turner, who has been Sr. VP of Research since 2014 and who championed the AMS process in the US as the company moved headquarters from New Zealand to Davis, California, will return to her home in Auckland where she will continue consulting with the company and will join the ranks of its Scientific Advisory Board.

Automated Produce Equipment’s (APE) president, Mike McKnight announced the formation of a new company based in America to provide cutting edge produce machinery and packaging solutions nationwide. Although APE’s focus is primarily on potatoes, onions and carrots they provide equipment packaging, and solutions for all other crops.

Automated Produce Equipment (APE) provides engineered solutions from bin tipping to packaging and robotic palletizing at the end of the packing line.  APE offers quality machinery designed to reduce labor, increase efficiency, and keep customers competitive.

Mike McKnight has been a provider of produce packaging equipment for nine years. Mike is well-acquainted with the industry and can address each individual company’s needs.

“Exceeding your expectations, not your budget” is not just Automated Produce Equipment (APE)’s motto but a promise.

Customers looking for one machine, or a complete line can find everything they need at Automated Produce Equipment (APE)’s website  www.automatedproduceequip.com or, email Mike McKnight  at mike@automatedproduceequip.com or, call  678 383-4566.

SOURCE: Irrigation Association

Tong Engineering, a UK manufacturer of potato and vegetable handling equipment has opened a facility in Fremont, Michigan that will provide spare parts, service and sales.

This latest venture comes as part of the company’s wider export strategy and will make Tong’s complete range of equipment, from vegetable intake hoppers, dirt eliminators, chain sizers, washers and bin fillers, more accessible to the USA potato and vegetable industry.

Edward Tong, Managing Director at Tong Engineering said US business has been increasing. “With this in mind, alongside the potential to better service and expand our business in the USA, we felt is was now time to have a physical presence in the market,” said Tong.

The new Tong USA office in Fremont will provide additional support to US customers; strengthening sales, service and parts. With a wide range of spare parts available, customers will enjoy quick turnaround when parts are needed the most.

Tong’s industry leading range of potato, carrot, onion and vegetable handling equipment is custom built using advanced designs and robust manufacturing. Their products ensure gentle and efficient handling of crops, as well as minimal maintenance for maximum productivity.

Contact: Tong Engineering Ltd USA

505 S. Division Ave.

Fremont, Michigan

49412-1682

Email: tong.usa@tongengineering.com

Phone: 001 231 924 5647

toll free: 001 833 844-8664

CLICK TO VISIT TONG

Hazera USA has a new, user-friendly and interactive flipbook catalog that showcases all of their seeds.

The Crop Catalog includes information about varieties, slickly organized by crops with descriptions and photos.
Also included are planting facts and figures, such as plant population per acre for single and double rows and explanations about strain disease resistances.

Included in the catalog are onions, tomatoes, watermelons, peppers, leeks, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and broccoli.

CLICK HERE to see the Crop Catalog.

Interested growers can also contact one of Hazera’s team members.

The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) has released a new webinar on Youtube.

Presented by IPNI Potassium Director T. Scott Murrell, the webinar is called “Crops Can Access More Potassium than is in a Soil Test“.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking for bids to sell frozen, diced carrots pursuant to the AMS Master Solicitation for use in the National School Lunch Program and other Federal Food and Nutrition Assistance Programs.

The total solicitation is for over 58,000 cases.

Acceptances will be announced by midnight, June 8, 2018. Deliveries are to be made between August 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

Read the full solicitation here:

FROZEN VEGETABLES, SOLICITATION NO: 2000005377

The USDA announced that it will reestablish the charter for the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC) and seeks nominations to fill all 25 positions on the FVIAC.

FVIAC was established by USDA in 2001 to examine issues facing the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide ideas on ways to improve programs to better meet the changing needs of the produce industry.

Think you are a good fit? Check out the call for nominations here.

Read the full press release from the USDA here.