Labor

Expect to see more technology in produce facilities

There are two elements about the fresh-cut produce line of the future that we can be sure of: raw product will be received and a finished product will depart. The territory between these entry and... more »

Fresh fruit exports increase in 2013

Fiscal year 2013 proved to be another record-breaking year for U.S. agricultural exports, according to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).In fiscal year 2013, U.S. agricultural exports increased by $5 billion, bringing the... more »

Report: American families eating more imported produce

American families are eating more imported fresh produce today than ever before, in substantial part because U.S. fresh produce growers lack enough labor to expand their production and compete with foreign importers.That's just one of... more »

Farm bill promising for fruit, vegetables

An analysis by specialty crop advocates indicates the 2014 Farm Bill contains programs that constitute a 55 percent increase in the government’s investment in the produce industry’s competitiveness and the nutritional well-being of Americans through... more »

MACMA does more than negotiate processing prices

Michigan Processing Apple Growers, also known as the Apple Division of the Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA), has been helping the state’s apple industry for more than five decades. Its role has expanded in... more »

WSU research studies aerosol pheromone emitters

Research in Washington state has shown that aerosol pheromone emitters can suppress codling moth as well as hand-applied dispensers, according to Jay Brunner, an entomologist with Washington State University (WSU). Brunner discussed WSU pheromone research... more »

Committee reaches farm bill agreement

Top House and Senate agriculture committee leaders announced Jan. 27 a bipartisan agreement on a five-year farm bill that among other things would eliminate direct payments, revise commodity supports, enhance crop insurance, and streamline conservation... more »

Judge vindicates Oregon farms in ‘hot goods’ case

A federal judge has vacated consent judgments that were signed by two Oregon blueberry farms at the behest of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in 2012. The judge’s decision was a victory for the... more »

Farmers should explore insurance options now

Health care reform is having an impact on all areas of commerce. Agricultural interests are finding themselves directly in the mix of the sweeping new legislation.Adam Kantrovich, Michigan State University farm management educator, urged farm... more »

Efficiency, quality improve with new cherry packing lines

Stemilt Growers’ new cherry packing line at the company’s facility in Wenatchee, Wash., is already paying dividends by trimming labor costs and allowing operators to capture fruit sizes more accurately, according to company officials. Stemilt... more »