Monthly Archive for September, 2009

Hawaii Sugarcane Report

Published on September 30, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

sugarhead

Here is the PDF for the Hawaii Sugarcane Report .
Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/
————————————————————-
Contact Information:
Mark E. Hudson, Director
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512
Office: (808) 973-9588 / (800) 804-9514
Fax: (808) 973-2909
————————————————————-
"HAWAII SUGARCANE" reports are available on our website and also PRINTED monthly from August through December. Subscriptions for PRINTED copies are free to those persons who report agricultural data to NASS (upon request) and available for $2 per year to all others.

NASS

Maui Planting Follows Closely Behind Harvesting Click Here for Larger Image

Maui Planting Follows Closely Behind Harvesting Click Here for Larger Image

U.S. SUGARCANE
Production of sugarcane for sugar and seed is forecast at 28.0 million tons, down 4 percent from the August 1st forecast but up 1 percent from 2008. Producers intend to harvest 852,700 acres for sugar and seed during the 2009 crop season, down 10,000 acres from last month and 15,300 acres below last year. Expected yield is forecast at 32.8 tons per acre, down 0.9 ton from the previous forecast but up 1.0 ton from 2008.

NASS

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Shave Ice – The Maui News

Published on September 30, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes and Water.

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Shave Ice

By TOM STEVENS, For The Maui News

POSTED: September 30, 2009

Amid all the chatter and bluster of isle politics, there arise from time to time truly historic occasions. One of those is coming down on Maui next month.

On Oct. 15, the state Commission on Water Resource Management will hear closing arguments on the future of the Central Maui watershed. The 9 a.m. contested case proceeding should pack the Iao Congregational Church’s Konda Hall, so interested citizens will want to get there early. No public testimony will be taken.

To draw attention to this fateful session, a public "river walk" will be held this Friday afternoon from Iao Valley to Market Street in Wailuku. At the end of the walk, the Native Intelligence store will host water rights speakers during Wailuku’s "First Friday" festivities. Later the same day, commission staff members will travel to the Paia Community Center to seek public input from 5 to 9 p.m. on East Maui water issues.

The contested case proceeding takes as its prologue a startling "proposed decision" the commission’s hearings officer issued in April. At that time, Lawrence Miike recommended that the commission partially restore the historic flows of Central Maui’s famous "four waters" – the Waihee, Waiehu, Iao and Waikapu streams.

Continue reading ‘Shave Ice – The Maui News’

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Maui Meeting to Address Shortage of Agricultural Inspectors

Published on September 30, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

In light of concerns about potential layoffs and/or furloughs facing the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Mayor Tavares has organized a group of individuals to bring the most up-to-date information to various Maui communities. The Mayor feels this is an important investment of our time because the decisions that are ultimately made will impact all of us to varying degrees. A shortage of agricultural inspectors could pose a host of threats to our environment, agriculture industry, tourism, and public health and safety.

The group of presenters include Anna Mae Shishido – Maui County Supervisor of the Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch, Warren Watanabe – Executive Director of the Maui County Farm Bureau, Teya Penniman – Manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and myself.

The Kula Community Association has graciously agreed to host our group at its next meeting, which will be open to its entire membership and the community-at-large. It will be held at the Kula Elementary School cafeteria on Tuesday, October 6th, starting at 6:00 p.m.

Please join us if you can and feel free to invite your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to this very important meeting. We will provide you with the most current information and let you know how to stay informed about this issue and what you can do to help out.

Mahalo,

Kuhea

Kuhea Paracuelles
Environmental Coordinator
Office of the Mayor
County of Maui
200 South High Street, 9th Floor
Wailuku, Hawai`i 96793
Telephone (808) 270-8299
Fax (808) 270-7870
E-mail: kuhea.paracuelles@co.maui.hi.us

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Fresh Del Monte wins dismissal of pineapple lawsuit

Published on September 30, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

By Jonathan Stempel

logo_reuters_media_usNEW YORK, Sept 30 (Reuters) – A federal judge dismissed a class-action lawsuit accusing Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc of violating antitrust law by using monopoly power to charge excessive prices on a sweet variety of pineapple.

Wednesday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Richard Berman rejected claims brought on behalf of retailers such as Publix Super Markets and Whole Foods Market Inc, as well as consumers, who bought the “Fresh Del Monte Gold” pineapples beginning in 1996.

The plaintiffs complained that Del Monte Fresh Produce Co, a unit of Fresh Del Monte, issued false and misleading “threat letters” to competitors that said its extra-sweet pineapple, described in court papers as “revolutionary,” was patented. They also said Del Monte threatened lawsuits against rivals that tried to sell the fruit and began “sham patent litigation,” in order to thwart competition and charge “supracompetitive prices for the Gold pineapples.”

Among those rivals alleged targeted by Del Monte were Dole Food Co and Maui Land & Pineapple Co, court papers show.

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New fruit fly threatens Oregon’s fruit and berry crops | Oregon Environmental News – – OregonLive.com

Published on September 29, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

A tiny fruit fly with a vicious nickname may threaten Oregon’s bountiful fruit and berry crops, state agriculture officials say.

The Spotted Wing Drosophila, sometimes called the "dragon fruit fly," has been found in Oregon from Portland south to Douglas County. Unlike more common fruit flies, which feed on overripe or rotten fruit, the Drosophila attacks ripe, healthy fruit. Just a couple larvae can damage fruit to the point that it can’t be sold. The fly’s presence may cause other states and countries to ban fruit and berry shipments that are coming from Oregon.

Infestation shows up as small scars or indented soft spots on fruit, left by the female fly’s stinger. Eggs hatch in one to three days, and the maggots feed inside the fruit, which begins to collapse or rot around the site.

The fly is native to southeast Asia but has spread to Hawaii, Florida and, most recently, California. It attacks apples, cherries, grapes, peaches, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, among other crops.

Does the fly’s appearance in Oregon mean farmers will be using more or stronger insecticides? That’s unclear, because the state doesn’t yet have a management plan. The Oregon Department of Agriculture is urging farmers to set commercial or homemade traps to monitor the fly’s presence while the department develops recommendations for suppressing them.

New fruit fly threatens Oregon’s fruit and berry crops | Oregon Environmental News – – OregonLive.com

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22 Hawaii Jobs Saved By ‘Alternate Funding’: De-Listed Inspectors To Search Guam Cargo For Brown Tree Snakes

Published on September 29, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

Invasive Species Watchdogs Score An FY09 ‘Play Of The Day’

But Will A Reduced Workforce Be Enough To Keep The Pests Out Of Honolulu?

By Jeff Marchesseault

GUAM – When things go wrong on Guam, we blame it on the snakes. From sizzled-out power lines to vanishing bird populations — brown tree snakes take the fall.

But at least 22 Hawaii agricultural inspectors actually have reason to celebrate the invasive species this month. Obviously not for the problems these pesky reptiles could cause in Hawaii if feral breeding ever took hold. But because the fear of those very problems will actually give these border protectors something worthwhile to do now that their jobs have been saved from the budget chopping block.

Faced with the prospect of losing their positions at the end of this fiscal year due to the Aloha State’s $900 million shortfall, the 22 were among 50 inspectors slated for furlough.

But not anymore, according to the Honolulu Advertiser.

The Hawaii Invasive Species Council has approved the use of $600,000 in invasive species prevention funds to retain positions it deems critical. State budgeteers have also decided that $1.2 million will be transferred from the Pest Inspection Quarantine and Eradication Special Fund to help salvage inspector jobs from the state’s force reduction list.

But even with the handful of saved inspector jobs de-listed, agriculture officials are concerned that the state’s borders could still be compromised.

Continue reading ‘22 Hawaii Jobs Saved By ‘Alternate Funding’: De-Listed Inspectors To Search Guam Cargo For Brown Tree Snakes’

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Seeds Of Change For DuPont – Forbes.com

Published on September 28, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

The science-based products and services company is set for a record year, thanks to increased seeds business.

E.I. du Pont de Nemours, or DuPont ( DD), is one of the company’s most profitable while being the least cyclical and requiring the lowest amount of capital, according to Soleil analyst Mark Gulley. With earnings growth of 15% annually and its percentage of total earnings projected to be in the 40% to 45% range in 2011, Gulley wouldn’t be surprised if the company elected to divest underperforming businesses to further concentrate on seeds where it competes with Monsanto ( MON) and Syngenta ( SYT).

DuPont takes a different approach to the business than Monsanto, which Gulley sees as the company’s toughest competition. Pioneer’s "right seed for the right acre" approach encourages farmers to cater purchases to specific crop needs while Monsanto appeals to "profit-maximizing" farmers who are willing to pay more for seeds that protect against a variety of stresses.

Uncertainties regarding regulations and pricing remain risks to seed companies. Lower farm incomes in 2009 will make farmers unlikely to stomach higher seed prices. While prices on existing hybrids will likely remain unchanged, Pioneer said mix effect should lift the average selling price for corn by 5% and soy as much as 3%.

At a recent investor conference, Pioneer presented its goals to grow sales 50% and double earnings for the period from 2008 to 2013. "While we appreciate DuPont’s aggressive goals through 2013, it will be difficult to keep up with the pace set by Monsanto," Gulley said.

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Seeds Of Change For DuPont – Forbes.com

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Calavo Growers, Inc. Declares 50 Cent Per Share Annual Cash Dividend – Yahoo! Finance

Published on September 28, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

 

SANTA PAULA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Calavo Growers, Inc. (Nasdaq-GS:CVGW), a global leader in avocado marketing and an expanding provider of other fresh perishable produce items, today announced that its board of directors declared a $0.50 per share annual cash dividend on its common stock. The annual payout represents a 43 percent increase from $0.35 per share issued last year.

The board set Dec. 11, 2009 as the payment date to all stockholders of record as of Dec. 1, 2009.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Lee E. Cole stated: “Calavo’s sharply higher annual cash dividend reflects both the sustained strength of our operating results and considerable confidence in the company’s prospects longer term as we successfully execute our strategic agenda. Moreover, the payment expresses in the clearest possible manner our resolve to deliver the highest possible returns to our shareholders, while still generating sufficient earnings to prudently reinvest in and drive future growth.”

About Calavo Growers, Inc.

Calavo Growers, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the procurement and marketing of fresh avocados and other perishable foods, as well as the manufacturing and distribution of processed avocado products. Founded in 1924, Calavo’s expertise in marketing and distributing avocados, processed avocados, and other perishable products enables it to serve food distributors, produce wholesalers, supermarkets and restaurants on a global basis.

Calavo Growers, Inc. Declares 50 Cent Per Share Annual Cash Dividend – Yahoo! Finance

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Ilocos farmers to grow Hawaiian macadamia nuts

Published on September 28, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes and Macadamia Nuts.

Written by Leilani Adriano / Correspondent

Monday, 28 September 2009 18:23

LAOAG CITY—Who says that macadamia nuts can only be grown in the state of Hawaii?

Not anymore, as interested Ilocos Norte farmers are now ready to cultivate a variety of macadamia nuts ideally grown in a tropical climate like in this province.

This was announced by Ilocos Norte Gov. Michael Keon on September 23 after company investors from Hawaii manifested interest in growing macadamia nuts in the province.

Based on scientific study, experts say Ilocos Norte’s rich soil and weather condition have been tested and proven “feasible” to cultivate macadamia nuts, a multimillion-dollar industry in Hawaii.

The proposed cultivation of macadamia nuts in the province, however, needs to be discussed further among Ilocano farmers and groups and individuals interested to venture into this newly introduced investment for the province.

The governor, who visited Hawaii together with some provincial board members, mayors and vice mayors two months ago, said it is a “good idea” to introduce the cultivation of macadamias in some idle lands of the province so that farmers, private business and the government could benefit from it.

This, however, does not mean that farmers would be shifting the traditional planting of cash crops like rice, corn, garlic, onions and other high-value crops, such as locally grown vegetables, but also to provide opportunity among farmers to try cultivating other alternative sources of income, like planting macadamias.

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Hawaii subsidies cut for livestock feed | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Published on September 27, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes and Livestock.

honadv

Loss of assistance from state deals another blow to shrinking industry

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

The state has spent about $3.8 million since November 2007 on a program aimed at revitalizing Hawai’i’s struggling livestock industry and improving the state’s self-sufficiency.

Despite the cash infusion, Hawai’i’s livestock industry has continued to shrink.

Now those subsidies, which were scheduled to run through 2010, have been canceled because of the state’s budget shortfall.

That doesn’t bode well for livestock producers.

The subsidies "stopped some of the decline," said David "Buddy" Nobriga, president of Nobriga’s Ranch, which is a cattle feedlot in Waikapu Town on Maui.

Nobriga’s Ranch received $83,616 in feed subsidies, according to state records. Without the subsidies, "We’ve got to tighten up our belts and see if we can survive," Nobriga said.

Although Hawai’i’s farm sector remains relatively small compared with the $12 billion tourism industry, agriculture plays an important role in diversifying the state economy, preserving greenbelt lands and reducing the Islands’ dependence on imported food. The loss of food-producing livestock businesses makes Hawai’i more dependent on the Mainland and other sources to meet basic needs.

Continue reading ‘Hawaii subsidies cut for livestock feed | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser’

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Hawaii and Related Agriculture Daily Charts for the week ending 09-25-09

Published on September 26, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

hawaii-agriculture-logo

The annual charts have been updated also. CLICK HERE to view.

Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP) 09-25-09
Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP)

Calavo Growers (CVGW) 09-25-09
Calavo Growers (CVGW)

Alexander and Baldwin (ALEX) 09-25-09
alexdaily092509

iPath DJ AIG Sugar TR Sub-Idx ETN (SGG) 09-25-09
iPath DJ AIG Sugar TR Sub-Idx ETN (SGG)

Monsanto (MON) 09-25-09
Monsanto (MON)

Syngenta (SYT) 09-25-09
Syngenta (SYT)
Continue reading ‘Hawaii and Related Agriculture Daily Charts for the week ending 09-25-09′

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The End of Sugar on Kauai – Is This the Beginning of the End for Hawaii’s Iconic Agricultural Products?

Published on September 24, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes, Pineapple and Sugar Cane.

Thursday September 24, 2009

Yesterday, Gay & Robinson announced that they would cease sugar operations on Kauai this fall, a year earlier than they had previously announced. This will mark the end of sugar production on Kauai.

When Gay & Robinson first announced its intentions in July 2007, there was anticipation that a partnership with Pacific West Energy LLC would merely shift the sugar cane business from consumable sugar to the production of ethanol. Those plans never met fruition.

With the end of sugar production on Kauai, only Maui’s Alexander & Baldwin’s Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. remains as the only producers of sugar cane in Hawaii. Poor economic conditions and drought conditions on Maui have cast a shadow on the future of sugar on Maui.

It is not beyond comprehension that within a few short years, Hawaii’s two iconic agricultural products, sugar cane and pineapple, may be no more. Currently Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. is the only remaining producer of pineapple in Hawaii. Cheaper sources of pineapple elsewhere in the world and huge financial losses have cast doubt about the future of that operation as well.

Continue reading ‘The End of Sugar on Kauai – Is This the Beginning of the End for Hawaii’s Iconic Agricultural Products?’

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Drought, maintenance extend shutdown – The Maui News

Published on September 22, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

Hookipa Maui Harvest <br />Click Picture for Larger Image

Hookipa Maui Harvest
Click for Larger Image

PUUNENE – Sugar prices are through the roof this year, but that will be of little help to Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co., which will have its sugar output reduced by drought to an estimated 125,000 to 130,000 tons this year.

But even if HC&S had more to sell, it still wouldn’t benefit, because it sold its production on forward contracts at what now seem like low prices.

The Alexander & Baldwin subsidiary does not participate in the government loan price support program, which is irrelevant this year, since world and American prices are far higher than the 18 cents per pound support rate.

HC&S will soon complete its harvest and shut down the mill, but for much longer than the usual one or two months.

Continue reading ‘Drought, maintenance extend shutdown – The Maui News’

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Economic Strength of Hawaii Seed Crop Industry Confirmed by Recent Reports

Published on September 22, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

Economic Strength of Hawaii Seed Crop Industry Confirmed by Recent Reports

The seed industry’s significant contributions to the state’s economy were confirmed by two recent economic reports issued by the Hawaii Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and well-known Hawaii economist Dr. Leroy Laney.

When I think about an industry that is providing stable jobs for state residents and continuing to grow during this recession, the only one that comes to mind is the seed crop industry

Seed companies are weathering the recession well and contributing real value to Hawaii’s economy

Economic Forecast/Kauai Edition 2009-2010

Honolulu, HI (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 22, 2009 — The seed industry’s significant contributions to the state’s economy were confirmed by two recent economic reports issued by the Hawaii Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and well-known Hawaii economist Dr. Leroy Laney.

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Reseachers say varroa mite spread on Big Island is inevitable – The Honolulu Advertiser

Published on September 21, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

honadv

HILO — In just over a year’s time, the varroa mite, a parasite that kills honeybees, has spread from the Hilo Bay area north to Onomea and south to Pahala, researchers say.

And it is not a matter of if, but when, the mites will spread to West Hawaii, said Ethel Villalobos, an entomologist at the University of Hawaii’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

Although it isn’t known how quickly it will happen, Villalobos said it will because bees are naturally on the move seeking sources of pollen, and farmers and beekeepers often move hives, and can unknowingly move a colony infested with parasite.

"The bottom line is: Varroa mites have been all over the world and the mainland for the last 20 years, and it’s substantially changed the way agriculture is done on the mainland. It will substantially change the way we do agriculture here," said Richard Johnson, owner of Onomea Orchards and president of the Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers.

"It’s not the end of agriculture," he said. "It wasn’t on the mainland. We’re going to have to learn to live with it, we’re not going to eliminate the varroa mite. … It’s going to become an art of living with varroa."

Continue reading ‘Reseachers say varroa mite spread on Big Island is inevitable – The Honolulu Advertiser’

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Hawaii and Related Agriculture Daily Charts for the week ending 09-18-09

Published on September 19, 2009 in General Ag News and Notes.

hawaii-agriculture-logo
The annual charts have been updated also. CLICK HERE to view.

Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP) 09-18-09
Maui Land and Pineapple (MLP)

Calavo Growers (CVGW) 09-18-09
Calavo Growers (CVGW)

Alexander and Baldwin (ALEX) 09-18-09
alexweek091809

iPath DJ AIG Sugar TR Sub-Idx ETN (SGG) 09-18-09
iPath DJ AIG Sugar TR Sub-Idx ETN (SGG)

Monsanto (MON) 09-18-09
Monsanto (MON)

Syngenta (SYT) 09-18-09
Syngenta (SYT)
Continue reading ‘Hawaii and Related Agriculture Daily Charts for the week ending 09-18-09′

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