Longtime Coachella Valley grape operation Tudor Ranch of Mecca, CA, is about 90 percent through the updating of the trellis system on its grapes.

Company Vice President George Tudor said many of the Coachella Valley grape growers have been transitioning their vineyards from the standard T-shaped trellis system to a Y-shaped system that features steel poles. The system allows the fruit to grow unobstructed and without interference from the plant canopy or vines. “The bunches hang loose, which gives them better air flow and more indirect light,” he said.

L&M Cos., headquartered in Raleigh, NC, handles a full line of Eastern and Mexican vegetables, including broccoli, potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes. It also handles a wide variety of stone fruits, such as apples, pears, cherries and more. And the company has a strong melon program.

Carrie Smith, marketing manager for L&M, said the company’s melon program includes honeydews and cantaloupes.

“These aren’t exactly ‘new’ for L&M because we have handled melons in the past,” said Ms. Smith. “However we have not grown them in the past few seasons.

Cool weather has meant the U.S. watermelon deal has gotten off to a slow start, but even that is a matter of perspective, said Tom Glenos of Kid’s Choice Fresh Produce Inc. in Weston, FL, which grows and ships watermelon from several locations in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas and Michigan.

“We’re a little behind last year but it’s actually a normal circumstance because last year we were way ahead,” Mr. Glenos said. “This year’s more back to normal. It did look like we were going to be really far ahead but the cold changed that. The temperatures are pretty good now.”

Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers, headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, expects to market a variety of premium tree fruit this spring and summer.

“We grow, pack and market approximately 2,000,000 cartons of cherries annually as well as about 400,000 cartons of stone fruit out of Washington state,” Director of Marketing Scott Marboe told The Produce News. “We also will have apples available as well.”

WASHINGTON -- Fruit and vegetable producers urged a congressional panel April 25 to maintain funding for key specialty crop programs just weeks before the full House Agriculture Committee is expected to mark up the 2013 farm bill.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) is said to be planning a May 15 markup of the 2013 farm bill, using as a starting point the 2012 farm bill legislation that never reached the House floor.

CERRITOS, CA -- Celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Sue Feniger, who bill themselves as the "Too Hot Tamales," were a big draw at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council's April 24 luncheon meeting, held here.