The Hass Avocado Board in Irvine, CA, announced in a press release Jan. 12 that it has named Emiliano Escobedo as the organization's new executive director, effective Jan. 16, a position previously held by Jose Luis Obregon, who resigned in October to become a partner in his family's business, IPR Fresh in Nogales, AZ.

Officials associated with the potato industry in the Pacific Northwest have indicated that acreage planted to potatoes in Oregon and Washington increased this season.

Keith Horder, L&M director of business development, told The Produce News that the company continues to carry a full line of apple varieties, including organics.

WEATHER

Daytime highs in Yuma, AZ, were expected to range in the low 70s to upper 60s through Jan. 17, with overnight lows in the low 40s. There is no threat of frost or rain in the near-term forecast.

In Oxnard, CA, daytime highs were expected to range in the mid- to upper 60s through Jan. 14 then drop into the upper 50s. Overnight lows in the mid-40s through Jan. 14 were expected, before dropping into the low 40s. There is no threat of rain or frost in the near-term forecast.