Farm technology has helped boost corn and soybean production in the drier parts of the U.S. Farmers in Iowa, a state now in its 36th month of drought, have recorded harvest gains by using technology. Jerry Seuntjens, who runs a 2200-acre farm in Kingsley, Iowa, has witnessed a significant rise in yields of soybean and corn crops. Despite the dry conditions, corn...
South Africa gains first time ticket to ship avocados to China
Following a visit by China’s President Xi Jinping to Pretoria on August 22, South Africa will start avocado exports to China. Thoko Didiza, the Minister in charge of South Africa’s agricultural docket, noted that the country has expanded its total avocado orchards to above 18,000 hectares(ha). This is an increase of 26% over the previous total area. The augmented figures in 2023, according to South African...
Amberjack recreational fishing season in the Gulf of Mexico closes
For 25 days each August, recreational fishermen in Florida and Louisiana can freely harvest greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico. The season is ending in two days’ time, on August 25, after the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council drew the curtain on the catch. This is per Amendment 54, a fishing regulation bill that came into force July 17, 2023. The bill...
An early spring for Australia’s stone fruit
Australia has witnessed a warmer winter than usual in 2023 and the blossoming nectarines and jackfruit trees are announcing the fact. The first sign of the southern spring is usually the bloom in magnolias. This year, the lovely flower has come up early while it is still winter. It is not only stone fruits that are shrugging of the cold season’s wilt....
How U.S.’ Washington State is the world’s biggest blueberry producer
At 90,000 metric tons, Washington State is now the biggest producer of blueberries in the world. This converts to 180 million pounds in weight or more than a third of the total national production. The state is proud of this highly perishable summer fruit as it is native to the American prairies. Americans first cultivated blueberries in 1916. 100 years later in 2016,...
U.S. & world food prices easing but still beyond reach
A World Bank report of August 16, 2023 paints a heartwarming picture of falling food prices. But there is a caveat: the global consumer price index is still way higher than it was in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic. In comparison with the 2015 to 2019 period, the 2023 prices are still 50% higher. This is partly due to the sudden disruption of global...
North American Kingfish peak season on the way soon
The North American kingfish season is just around the corner. Though kingfish is literally available throughout the year, the peak in the U.S. and Canada starts from late fall and lasts till early spring (October to March). One of the main sources of kingfish in the U.S. is the Maine coast. The State now enjoys the presence of recirculating aquaculture system...
Tropical Storm Hilary to briefly impact agricultural supply in California
The farmers of the agricultural oasis of Imperial Valley, Southern California, face a once-in-a-century sowing and harvesting disruption. A West Coast storm not seen in 84 years made landfall in Mexico last weekend and has briefly suspended farming activities. Tropical storm Hilary landed at Baja California peninsula in Mexico over the weekend. Though now less strong than when it begun,...
The small grains survey of September 1 to close Q3 of U.S. grain production
The U.S. small grain stocks’ survey of September 1 will assess the acreage, productivity and yield of cereals and oilseeds in Quarter 3 (Q3). Every 3 months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts the grain stock survey. The last one this year on June 1, 2023 showed a rise in oats and barley production and a depreciation in the output...
Lab-grown meat marks a new beginning in U.S. & global protein market
On June 21, 2023, the United States joined Singapore as the second nation to allow the sale of lab-grown meat, through two California producers, Good Meat and Upside Foods. Lab-grown meat is genetically modified protein from cells of animals. Its production takes place entirely in the laboratory. What is it exactly? According to Clair Bomkamo of Good Food Institute, the product is the...