Crop Management
Kentucky Grower Builds a Retail Destination
Back before Jimmy Dean came to mean sausage, the country singer crooned a tune that contained the line, "that spells Kentucky, but it means paradise." Bill Gallrein Jr. knows what he had in mind. You... more »
Ohio Grower Helps Forge New Path for State’s Produce Farmers
During the 1920s and 1930s, potato chip companies relied on Ohio potato growers to supply them with chipping potatoes. Dan Dee Pretzel and Potato Chip Co. built a plant in the midst of the potato-growing... more »
Final Report Issued in Bagged Spinach Incident
In a display of detective skills worthy of Sherlock Holmes, state and federal investigators hunted down the bacteria that caused 205 people in 26 states to become ill and three to die last September after... more »
Globalization Hits Michigan’s Asparagus Industry
The challenge seemed reasonable and clear. Without unity in the asparagus industry, it won't survive long. said Ron Armstrong, sales president of Honee Bear Canning in Lawton, Mich. On that point, there was – and... more »
Biodegradable Mulch Films Aid in Sweet Corn Production
Many sweet corn growers are using clear plastic (polyethylene) mulch to warm the soil and to advance harvest maturity. The use of clear plastic mulch may also improve seed germination and increase plant stand under... more »
Fresh Baked Goods Bring Added Sales
Baked goods are hot items at farm markets these days. The aroma of fresh-baked pies, pastries, breads, rolls and muffins – hot from the oven – creates an atmosphere that boosts sales in all departments.... more »
Innovations Improve Pepper Handling
Ed Hughs is determined to save chili peppers and cotton for New Mexico growers. Hughs is an agricultural engineer with Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory near Las Cruces. Heavily grown in... more »
Company Says It Will Not Turn to Biotech
When Monsanto announced Jan. 24 that it would buy Seminis, the first question on everyone's mind was, "What kind of biotech vegetables can we look for and when?" Monsanto Co., its name synonymous with biotechnology... more »
Few Gripes Come From Fruit, Vegetable Producers
President George W. Bush's proposed 2006 budget for U.S. Department of Agriculture operations brought protests from many farm groups, but little criticism from the fruit and vegetable industries. President Bush proposed a 5 percent, or... more »
Opposition to CAFTA Continues to Grow
Despite support by President Bush's administration, opposition to the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) continues to swell within America's agriculture community and among America's farmers. I commend the increasing number of Congressional leaders and... more »
