Inclement weather, food recalls and widening trade gaps contributed to a 19-year low in the production of fresh vegetables in the U.S. in 2018. Onions, head lettuce, romaine lettuce and tomatoes accounted for much of the decline.

The world’s largest potato processor needs another 10,000 to 15,000 acres of potatoes to keep its expanded distribution centre humming in Burley, Idaho.

A deep dive into the USDA’s latest economic forecast shows horticultural exports remaining steady at $35.5 billion. Canada remains a top market for American fresh fruits and vegetables.

Data for the growth and practices of controlled environment agriculture remains fragmented. Global automation specialist Autogrow and Agritecture Consulting aim to change that.

When Corteva Agriscience goes live on June 3, the newest crop protection company estimates $14.3 billion in sales for 2019. The spinoff from DowDuPont will still be considered a heavyweight with 44 per cent of its product portfolio in crop protection and the remainder in seeds.

FMC is number five in terms of crop protection sales in Canada. As Darren Dillenbeck, country manager, FMC, explains, it’s an advantage to be solely focused on crop protection without the distraction of a seed business.

Mako insecticide has been approved for control of spotted wing drosophila on bushberries, caneberries, strawberries and cherries as well as wasps on cherries in Canada.

Using drones in Canadian agriculture isn’t new, but using them for pesticide application is. Agassiz, British Columbia federal researchers are working with provincial agencies and an Abbottsford drone company to provide Health Canada with data it will need to determine the viability and safety of drone-based pesticide applications.

President Trump has promised American farmers up to $16 billion through USDA programs – an amount estimated to equal the impact of “unjustified retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods” according to a recent USDA news release. This is the second package in as many years.

Growers of low-growing berries – strawberries and blueberries – now have access to Quadris Top fungicide for control of anthracnose and powdery mildew.