Much action on immigration issues in June, but little relief for agriculture, say experts
WASHINGTON -- The immigration reform issue may be turning into a "perfect storm" as labor shortages are showing up in places not seen before in agriculture, federal immigration audits are pushing workers out and Congress remains in political gridlock, Craig Regelbrugge, vice president of government relations and research at American Nursery & Landscape Association, said during a July 24 webinar.
Fruit Royal offers several proprietary grape varieties from International Fruit Genetics
Sweet Surrender. Sweet Celebration. Sweet Jubilee. And now, as if the others were not sweet enough, Cotton Candy. Those are the names of some proprietary grape varieties developed by International Fruit Genetics in Bakersfield, CA, grown by The Grapery in Bakersfield, and marketed by Fruit Royale Inc. in Delano.
SGS grape volume continues to grow, largely in new varieties
TRAVER, CA — In early July 2011, Louis Scattaglia, managing partner of Scattaglia Growers & Shippers LLC, here, told The Produce News, “We’ve increased our acreage about 40 percent across the board, all varieties.” Much of that acreage will be in production this year, with “the balance coming on next year.”
The company’s table grape production did, indeed, increase last year as a result of the new plantings, and it will increase again this year, as expected.
R.B. Sandrini’s grape line is a mix of newer and traditional varieties
R.B. Sandrini Inc. in Delano, CA, which is the sales agent for R.B. Sandrini Farms L.P., offers about 14 different varieties of table grapes, ranging from traditional industry mainstays such as Flame seedless and Thompson to some of the popular newer varieties, and even to some cutting edge varieties so new that the company doesn’t even want to give out information on them yet.
Being broker, not grower rep, allows Green Tree to focus on customers
“We have made a choice not to be in the grower side of the business, representing growers, because we have been more focused on our customers,” said Cary Crum, vice president of Green Tree International Inc. in Visalia, CA, with reference to the company’s involvement in the San Joaquin Valley grape deal.
Columbine Vineyards introduces two new proprietary grape varieties
Columbine Vineyards in Delano, CA, will have its first commercial production of two new proprietary grape varieties from its own varietal development program this year, according to Keith Andrew, sales manager.
The new varieties are called Vista and Milano, and they are both green seedless grapes with large, sweet berries, Mr. Andrew said. The vista is ovate in shape; “the Milano is more round.” Both were test marketed last year on a small scale.
Jasmine Vineyards increases Sweet Sunshine volume, adds Sweet Celebration
Jasmine Vineyards in Delano, CA, will be up in volume in its production of the proprietary Sweet Sunshine grapes this year and will have its first commercial volume of Sweet Celebration, according to Brian Crettol, a salesman for the company.
Both varieties are from International Fruit Genetics in Bakersfield, CA, of which Jasmine is a licensee.
Castle Rock will have increases in Castle Rock Red and several grape varieties
Jim Llano, sales manager at Castle Rock Vineyards in Richgrove, CA, told The Produce News on July 9 that the company will have more Castle Rock Reds this year, as well as increases in several other varieties.
Produce Trades launches produce auction website
Produce Trades, a produce technology firm based in Grand Island, NY, recently launched its website, ProduceTrades.com. The company's auction software aims to redefine the buying, selling and transporting process for the produce industry.
Using a self-customized software bidding application, Produce Trades fills a need for a 24/7 international marketplace to connect produce buyers, sellers and transporters in one single auction platform.
New sales director highlights changes at Bland Farms
Bland Farms, a leading year-round sweet onion shipper based in Glennville, GA, has named John Cameron as its new director of sales, effective July 1. Mr. Cameron, who most recently worked at NatureSweet in San Antonio, TX, is charged with identifying and developing new customer-focused sweet onion programs.