Dairy farmers on May 27, 2024 wheeled plaster cows across the European Union (EU)’s capital Brussels, demanding fair milk rates.  Some 100 protesters paraded before key EU offices demanding a legislation eradicating all milk product prices below production expenditure. The farmers were also drumming up support for an EU version of Spain’s recent “unfair commercial practices”act. Kjartan Poulsen who heads the...

The oil palm industry in Indonesia is turning to organic fertilizer to end the menace of Phythoptora disease, particularly on aging trees. According to agricultural practitioner from West java’s Depak City, Irwan Margono, on May 26, 2024, herbicide residue causes leaf withering. He added that the most vulnerable plantations are those with more than 15 years in existence as older trees tend...

Milk production in the United States was down by 69 million pounds (31.364 million liters) year-on-year in April 2024. This is even as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts higher overall production in 2024 than in 2023. At 19.1 billion pounds (8.682 billion liters), April’s national output also decreased from March 2024’s by 500 million pounds (227.3 million liters).  The main contributing...

The May 2024 soft citrus season in South Africa is proving strong for naartjies and mandarins, whose production could hit 31.3 million cartons. This impressive yield estimate comes just six months after South Africa announced slightly higher citrus exports in 2023 than 2022’s. Leading the output will be Nardocott/Tango mandarins, whose 2024 volume will rise by 16% year-on-year to 24.1 million cartons....

Kashmir’s strawberry harvest was underway May 21, 2024 at the prominent farming village of Gasso in Srinagar. Though this fruit valley in eastern Pakistan looks pleasant at harvest time, it nevertheless promises low yields due to earlier unfavorable weather. Like in 2023, unpredictable rain and untimely April chill already point to yet another diminished production year in 2024. According to farmer Daniyal...

The celebrated three-week paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fishing season in North Dakota has ended, to protect the local fisheries. The harvest period lasted between May 1 and 15, after which followed a snagging and releasing week ending May 21, 2024. Fishermen have not yet divulged the sizes of their catches to compare with recent weight records. So far, the largest recorded paddlefish came out in...

Coronation town in east-Central Alberta is installing a 12-megawatt (MW) DC solar farm, courtesy of Maple Leaf Green World Inc. According to the company’s press release, Maple Leaf Green World has leased multiple acres of underutilized land in Coronation for the solar farm. While the town will earn tax and lease revenue from the installation, farmers will access affordable green power supply year-round. ...

Orange production in Brazil could plummet to almost the 1988-89 season’s low levels owing to greening disease’s effect on orange groves.  Accordingly, the orange states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais might harvest 233.38 million 40.8 kg bags (9.73 million tonnes). This will be 24.4% below the 2023-24 period’s output and only better than the 1988-89 levels. The projection is almost half the 2023-24...

Tomato prices in China are up by at least 10 Yuan ($1.38) per 36 kg box amid a low early harvest. This is happening even as China expects the volume of processed tomatoes in 2024 to rise above 2023 volumes to 11 million tonnes.  Despite these appetizing estimates, so far the early harvest quantity in May is at a lull. China harvests tomatoes...

Since April 26, 2024, the yearly Saudi mango festival has been showcasing tens of varieties in Jazan and Al-Qunfudah areas. The key varieties under showcase are popular within and outside Saudi Arabia, including Tommy Atkins, Langra and Sensation. Most farmers’ showcases have been taking place in Mecca region’s Al-Qunfudah near the Red Sea, which produces 50% of national mangoes.  Despite its lengthy summers that last...