N.C. MarketReady, a program of N.C. State University's Plants for Human Health Institute (PHHI) at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, received the Southern Region American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Extension Blue Ribbon Communication Award for its Blackberry & Raspberry Growers Information Portal. The award was accepted by Dr. Penelope Perkins-Veazie, professor and postharvest...
On March 8, 2012, the Agriculture Council of America (ACA) will host three major events in the nation's capital: a coffee event in the morning, the Mix-and-Mingle Luncheon and the National Celebration of Agriculture Dinner. This year's theme is "American Agriculture: Abundant. Affordable. AMAZING."
The events honor National Agriculture Day and mark a nationwide effort to tell the true story of...
A team of scientists studying the effects of electron-beam irradiation on iceberg lettuce and spinach has had its research published in the February issue of the leading microbiology journal, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, said the study's lead investigator.
The study quantified the theoretical health-risk reduction from virus-related foodborne illness through the use of electron-beam...
Marrone Bio Innovations (MBI) announced the appointment of key personnel to its growing customer-focused team that is expanding the use of the company's biopesticides throughout the U.S. agricultural market:
. Patrick Clark, Sales Representative, Eastern Region
. Ryan Hesse, Sales Representative, Western Region
. Brandt Nichols, Sales Representative, Mid-South Region
. Ryan Richards, Sales...
OBAMA FY '13 BUDGET: President Obama released his budget proposal for the next fiscal year on Monday this week, which calls for a record $3.8 trillion in spending. At the USDA, Obama suggests the complete elimination of "direct payment" spending, and also major reductions in crop insurance premium subsidies and conservation program spending. Funding for nutrition and research would remain about the...
We are pleased to announce that Jeff Siegers has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jeff joined the Siegers' team of seed consultants in the spring of 2000. He has an extensive knowledge of the vegetable industry.
Jeff's new role will be to manage the entire sales team, which consists of 12 seed consultants while also evaluating markets and sales territories. In addition,...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today released updates to its online geospatial exploring tool, CropScape. 2011 Cropland Data Layer products, which are derived from satellite image observations at 30-meter (0.22 acres per pixel) resolution, help users visualize how the volatile weather events of 2011 affected cropland in the United States.
"We...
Netafim USA announces the opening of a new California recycling center that repurposes used polyethylene tubing into a variety of plastic products, including Netafim landscape dripline.
PHX Recycling Inc, located in Fowler, CA, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Netafim, which oversees the entire recycling process.
Used landscape dripline from all manufacturers is accepted, if the tubing...
Lipman has acquired Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based Branscomb Produce.
"We are thrilled to add Branscomb to our Lipman team," said Kent Shoemaker, CEO of Lipman. "Eddie Branscomb and Al Yancey are respected tomato industry veterans."
The newly acquired company will join Lipman's network of research and development, farming, packing, processing, repacking and procurement solutions. Eddie...
Valent U.S.A. Corporation announced that Quash Fungicide has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on blueberries.
Quash is a highly effective, broad spectrum triazole fungicide containing metconazole, and its registration provides blueberry growers with an important new tool for disease control.
"Quash provides exceptional control of a broad spectrum of foliar diseases,"...
BRANDT has entered into a new manufacturing and distribution agreement with FT Soluciones América, an affiliate of Spain-based Fertinyect S.A. Fertinyect S.A. was established in 1991 and is known for its patented tree injection system developed by University of Córdoba in Spain.
This agreement will allow BRANDT to deliver pesticides, nutrients and bio-stimulants to trees through the patented FERTINYECT...
Grapefruit Juice
The U. S. Department of Agriculture is requesting comments on proposed revisions to the U.S. Standards for Grades of Grapefruit Juice.
The Florida Citrus Processors Association, noting advances in industry processing technology, petitioned USDA to revise the standards. The proposed standards are designed to give the grapefruit juice industry greater flexibility to meet market...
N.C. State University's North Carolina Value-Added Cost Share (NCVACS) program provided more than $100,000 in matching funds to help N.C. agricultural producers apply for and secure nearly $1.2 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grants. The USDA last week announced the recipients of its Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG), eight of which are N.C. businesses that were assisted by NCVACS.
Agricultural...
Lipman has opened its first Texas repacking facility in San Antonio. Focusing on tomatoes and vegetables, the branch - which created jobs in the community - will be overseen by 45-year industry veteran Scott Russell.
"Lipman's repacking centers are strategically located throughout the United States," said Darren Micelle, Lipman Chief Operating Officer. "The new San Antonio facility reinforces our...
Valent U.S.A. Corporation announced that Quash Fungicide has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on potato.
Quash is a highly effective, broad spectrum triazole fungicide containing metconazole, and its registration provides potato growers with an important new tool for resistance management and disease control.
"Quash provides exceptional control of a broad spectrum...