California Pears to Fresh Market and Dismay Over Farm Bill Delay
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**California Packinghouses in pear-growing districts are running at full tilt as growers box more fruit for the fresh market this year and ship less to canneries.
The pivot came after one of the state’s two pear canneries, with weakened demand and inventory bolstered by last year’s bumper crop, slashed its orders.
Pear growers say the Walnut Creek-based cannery asked farmers to undershoot their contracted tonnage, some by as much as 45%.
**Many ag leaders are expressing dismay over the delays in getting a new Farm Bill passed.
But, with less than two months before the national election, it appears unlikely, with the current Farm Bill Extension expiring this month.
Farm CPA, Paul Neiffer tells AgWeb the ag economy is seemingly in a recession and without an updated Farm Bill, farmers may struggle even more with net farm income expected to be substantially lower in 2025.
**Vitaetom, a Belgium company specializing in organic greenhouse-grown vegetables, recently introduced a new organic variety of tomatoes called Ruby Red.
This deep red plum tomato is a first in the organic market, and has earned Vitaetom a nomination for the BioVLAM 2024 award.
Despite challenges, Vitaetom likes the tomato's potential, noting its excellent flavor and shelf life.
The first harvest has been well-received, leading to plans for expanding the cultivation significantly next year.
