Author: bigwave

September 30, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Maui Meeting to Address Shortage of Agricultural Inspectors

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

September 30, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Fresh Del Monte wins dismissal of pineapple lawsuit

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.

Continue reading
September 29, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

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

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

September 29, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

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

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
September 28, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Seeds Of Change For DuPont – Forbes.com

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.

<

Seeds Of Change For DuPont – Forbes.com

September 28, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

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

 

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

September 28, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

Ilocos farmers to grow Hawaiian 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.

Continue reading
September 27, 2009 General Ag News and Notes Post a Comment

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

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