Crop Management

USDA offers more than $3 billion for 2022 specialty crop damage

The USDA will provide more than $3 billion to commodity and specialty crop producers affected by natural disaster events in 2022. Eligible impacted producers can apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP)... more »

Drone prep: Before you fly, know the FAA regulations

Drones, or unmanned aerial systems (UAS,) require special licensing to operate. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates drones, enforces numerous rules and separates drone users in terms of commercial and recreational operators. [caption id="attachment_39436"... more »

Deterring wildlife: Texas vineyard controls fruit loss

Deep in the heart of the Texas Hill Country in Fredericksburg, Texas, Heritage Vineyard uses trapping and other methods to control wildlife damage. Most of the animal damage and fruit loss is from raccoons and... more »

Michigan Fruit Ridge growers share strategies

Apple production techniques were shared at three orchards in the Fruit Ridge area near Conklin, Michigan, during the Michigan Pomesters’ 12th annual Ridgefest. Roger Umlor, co-owner of Umlor Orchards/Centennial Fruit, displayed a block of 15-year-old,... more »

Produce distributor unveils ‘Organic is the Answer’ campaign

Organically Grown Co., an Oregon produce distributor, has created a public service announcement-styled campaign with calls to action for consumers and retailers to promote the organic sector. “Organic is the Answer,” which provides resources for... more »

Southeastern Farmer of the Year award goes to Arkansas greenhouse tomato grower

Arkansas greenhouse tomato grower Steve Cobb has been named the overall winner of the Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award for 2023. Cobb Farms, of Lake City, Arkansas, is a partnership enterprise... more »

ProducePay survey highlights grower concerns

ProducePay has released its second annual survey that is designed to explore business stability for produce stakeholders, including growers, packers, distributors, integrated suppliers and end buyers in the U.S. and Latin America. The results spotlight... more »

USDA: Conservation areas support climate-smart ag

The USDA has issued more than $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a critical piece of efforts to support climate-smart agriculture. Right now, CRP’s more than... more »