WASHINGTON -- In a procedural vote Thursday, June 28 by the Senate, debate on legislation that would reform the nation's immigration laws was blocked, and comprehensive immigration legislation was pulled from the Senate floor.

A vote was called earlier in the day that would have ended debate on the bill and allow the Senate to move forward with final consideration and possible passage. It failed to secure the 60 votes required by a vote of 46-53 and effectively ended any consideration for immigration reform for the foreseeable future.

The development of a successful onion industry in New Mexico isn't a pipe dream. Interest, a sense of vision and a "can-do" attitude have turned the vegetable into a viable part of the state's annual agricultural economy.

During peak harvest periods in June and July, New Mexico supplies as much as half of all dry onions consumed in the United States during those summer months.

Land devoted to onion production in New Mexico has grown significantly. A few hundred acres were utilized for onion production in 1930, and that figure increased to around 3,000 acres by 1980.

Following a light, late-starting grape season in 2006, California grape growers are anticipating a 2007 season that more nearly mirrors 2005 although not quite matching 2005's record volume.

California shipped around 96 million boxes of grapes in 2005. The California Table Grape Commission is estimating the total 2007 crop to be a little less than that, possibly somewhere in the low 90s.

While the crop will be larger than last year, "I haven't heard anybody say it is going to be massive," said Jim Howard, communications director for the commission.

California's garlic harvest is now underway in the Coachella Valley, and preparations were being made for the harvest in the San Joaquin Valley when The Produce News talked with some garlic growers and packers on Monday, June 18.

"The California crop looks good this year," with "nice size" and "about average" yields, said Kelly Marione, division manager for Orlando-based Spice World at the company's Coalinga, CA, plant.

GLOUCESTER CITY, NJ -- The season's first break-bulk refrigerated ship carrying South African citrus lifted pallets onto the dock of Gloucester Terminal LLC, here, June 19.

The ship carried fruit for seven importers, according to Tom Mastromarco, director of fruit marketing and customer service at the Gloucester Terminal. Among the brands represented in the terminal's warehouse were "Unifrutti," "Darling Clementine" and "Seald Sweet."

A very public fight has erupted in the usually polite regulatory world as the president of Whole Foods Market has taken on the Federal Trade Commission because it opposes the acquisition of Wild Oats Markets by the country's largest natural foods retail chain.

Whole Foods, which has a policy against talking to the trade press and is typically quiet about its operations, has launched an all-out attack on the FTC through a blog written by President John Mackey and available on the company's web site (www.wholefoods.com).