USDA to Gradually Resume Avocado and Mango Inspections

🌱 Good afternoon, and welcome to today's fresh newsletter! 

👉 In today's email:

• USDA to Gradually Resume Avocado and Mango Inspections in Mexico

• Innovative Precision Agriculture Solutions

• Strawberry Growers Advised to Adopt Efficient Pesticide Practices

• Malena Produce: A 70-Year Journey In The Produce Industry

USDA

USDA to Gradually Resume Avocado and Mango Inspections in Mexico

The USDA will gradually resume avocado and mango inspections in Mexico, following a recent suspension due to safety concerns after the illegal detention of two inspectors in Michoacán.

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar announced the gradual return of inspectors to packing plants but stressed the need for enhanced security before full operations can resume.

Officials will meet in Morelia to address these safety concerns and discuss the future of the inspection process.

This pause, not the first of its kind, highlights ongoing risks for USDA personnel in the region.

Ensuring the safety of inspectors is crucial for maintaining the flow of avocado and mango trade, a significant economic activity for both nations.

INNOVATION

Innovative Precision Agriculture Solutions Showcased by Raven Industries

Raven Industries, a CNH Industrial brand, showcased its latest precision agriculture technologies at Agrishow 2024, emphasizing automation and efficiency.

Key highlights included the Raven CRx Guidance Kit and the Augmenta Field Analyzer, both designed to enhance farming productivity and profitability.

The CRx Guidance Kit offers precise guidance with an intuitive interface, while the Augmenta Field Analyzer provides real-time data analysis to optimize field inputs.

Raven's technologies, adaptable to various machinery, underscore the company's commitment to user-friendly, scalable solutions.

The demonstrations at Agrishow highlighted Raven’s focus on sustainability and innovation in modern agriculture.

STRAWBERRY

Strawberry Growers Advised to Adopt Efficient Pesticide Practices by UF Experts

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts have advised Florida's strawberry growers to adopt more efficient pesticide practices to combat chilli thrips while minimizing pesticide use.

The study reveals that targeted spraying can significantly reduce pesticide volume and improve crop yields.

Chilli thrips, a major pest for Florida's $500 million strawberry industry, aggregate near field borders, suggesting that focused pesticide application within a 100-meter radius can be effective. 

This method, reducing applications to two or three per season, protects beneficial insects and enhances plant health.

The approach supports sustainable agriculture, lowering costs and environmental impact.

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT

Malena Produce: A 70-Year Journey In The Produce Industry

Malena Produce, founded in 1954 by Juan B. Stamos in Sinaloa, Mexico, celebrates its 70th anniversary as a leader in North American produce markets.

Known for high-quality tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, squash, and green beans, the family-owned business emphasizes sustainability through greenhouse farming and stringent safety practices (GAP, GMP, HACCP).

Marketing Manager Alyna Cardenas highlights their commitment to freshness, quality, and social responsibility, including worker welfare and child labor prevention.

The company is expanding its market presence with new consumer packs and innovative produce varieties.

Their slogan, "It's always Malena season," reflects their dedication to consistent, year-round quality.