17.08.2023

USA - USDA Offers Disaster Program Flexibilities for Flood-Impacted Producers

USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency authorized flexibilities for disaster assistance programs and crop insurance to aid Northeast farmers impacted by flooding this year. USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie says, “The production and physical losses to flooding have devastated farmers and ranchers in the Northeast.” Bonnie visited the region this week, announcing that “USDA is committed to assisting these producers in their ongoing recovery efforts.”

17.08.2023

USA - Crops destroyed by May freeze prompt New York to ask for federal help

A late freeze this spring caused major damage to fruit crops across Upstate New York. The New York State Farm Service Agency (NYS FSA), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand are asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to approve emergency federal funds to help farmers who suffered severe crop loss.

16.08.2023

Spain - Climate change's impact on watermelon and melon industry

Climate change and extreme weather events have been a matter of concern for many countries across the world. Spain, known for its warm Mediterranean climate, has been experiencing a persistent heatwave lately, while the United Kingdom is witnessing an uncharacteristic summer chill.

16.08.2023

Weather extremes impact on global fruit and vegetable sector

Tuesday, July 4, 2023, was the world's hottest day ever recorded, reports the U.S. Meteorological Institute. More and more climate records are being broken, but lately, they are not just being broken; they are being smashed.

16.08.2023

USA - Peaches are in short supply this year after weather pitfalls in the Midwest and South

Despite the chatter and hustle of a dozen or so workers, the production line at Flamm Orchards in deep southern Illinois sits mostly quiet this summer. A cold spell in late December knocked out a vast majority of the 300-acre farm’s peach crop.

16.08.2023

Morocco - Farmers concerned about the heat wave

An absolute record temperature of 50.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in Morocco last Friday, accompanied by "Chergui", hot, dry winds from the Great Sahara, sandstorms, and wildfires.

16.08.2023

UK - Colorado potato beetle larvae confirmed in Kent for a second time

For a second time, Colorado potato beetle larvae have been found in Kent. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), last Friday, a single adult male Colorado beetle was found within the 1 km surveillance zone in Kent.

16.08.2023

Spain - Seville's autumn tomato harvest is at risk due to the drought

The tomato harvest in the province of Seville will decrease due to the drought. Producer organizations such as the Sociedad Cooperativas Las Nieves have decided to reduce their acreage given the uncertainty regarding water availability.

16.08.2023

Bulgaria - Cultivation of fruits and vegetables has decreased

Over the past few years, there has been a decline in the production of fruits and vegetables in Bulgaria. According to a statement by Kiril Vatev, the Minister of Agriculture of Bulgaria, as of the summer of 2023, they account for less than 40% of the products sold in Bulgarian markets.

16.08.2023

USA - Top corn producing state to see future drop in yield, cover crop efficiency

Winter cover crops could cut nitrogen pollution in Illinois’ agricultural drainage water up to 30%, according to recent research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. But how will future climate change affect nitrogen loss, and will cover crops still be up to the job?

15.08.2023

Morocco - Temperature exceeds the 50°C mark for the first time in history

An absolute record temperature was registered in Morocco on Friday, August 11, at 1:33 PM, with 50.4 degrees Celsius reached in the Souss Massa region. The heat wave lasted three days and was accompanied by "Chergui," hot, dry winds coming from the Grand Sahara, and sandstorms.

15.08.2023

India - Rains affects grape production around Repora village

Grape growers in Repora and adjoining villages of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district said this year’s rains have affected the crop. Repora and its adjoining villages in the district are famous for their unique grapes, however, this year as Kashmir witnessed torrential rains it has affected the grape production in villages although farmers are yet to harvest the fruit.

15.08.2023

Panama - Delays and drought not only affect Panama Canal but fresh produce growers in the country too

Spare a thought for the growers of fresh produce in the Republic of Panama who are facing challenging circumstances due to the drought. Amidst the world focus on the increasing shipping delays due to lower water levels in the Panama Canal, it is easy to forget that residents and producers of fruit in the country are battling the drought conditions too.

15.08.2023

Australia - Cool and wet growing conditions reduce Envy yields

This year, envy apple sales are performing well according to Montague. It is grown in the climates of the Huon Valley and the Tamar Valley in Tasmania, the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Batlow in NSW, Stanthorpe in Queensland and the Adelaide Hills in South Australia.

15.08.2023

Georgia - Installation of anti-hail systems is at a record-high level in 2023

Since the beginning of 2020, about 180 hectares of Georgian orchards have been covered by anti-hail systems with the support of the governmental program “Plant the Future”. According to the latest data, another 65 hectares were covered with systems in 2023.

15.08.2023

USA - New England farmers say heavy rains and inconsistent weather have impacted crops

New England has been subject to unusual and inconsistent weather for this part of the country this year. For local farmers, who are of course always in need of water for their crops, the rain and inconsistent weather posed unique challenges this year, and they resulted in the significant loss of some crops.