Author Archive
Here’s more proof that some basic, fundamental changes are taking place in California regarding produce trucking. The two most cited reasons are excessive regulations – and the drought. This deals with the drought.
Many folks recalled not too many years ago when it was a rite of spring that truck rates would go crazy in California. In particular, the rates would be lowest the first part of the week, but might increase 30 to 50 percent by the end of the week as truck supplies were depleted. While some of the reasoning can be placed on long term negotiated rates (for a year, or at least a shipping season), it is suspected that less production or volume is coming out of California while Mexico and Canada are increasing. (Also, see the interview with Kenny Lund of the Allen Lund Company, from June 4th).
More California crop acreage is being removed from production in 2015, according to the California Department of Agriculture.
At 564,000 acres, fallowing will be up 33% over last year as growers cope with the state’s fourth year of drought, according to the preliminary estimate by University of California, Davis researchers.
They compared this year’s drought effects to years of average water supply. Surface water is even scarcer in 2015 than last year.
Growers are forecast to pump 6.2 million acre-feet of groundwater to partially make up for an 8.7 million shortage. The added pumping is projected to cost $595 million. When pumping costs, job losses, livestock, dairy and other factors are added in, the state’s agricultural industry anticipates drought losses of $2.7 billion.
The estimate pegs direct job losses at 8,560 full- and part-time jobs. But when spillover effects and increased pumping costs are factored in, total losses are closer to 18,600. The loss in irrigated crop revenues statewide for vegetables is estimated at $107.7 million, and for orchard and vines at $82.8 million.
If the California drought continues, the consequences for produce trucking, consumers and agriculture will become even more severe.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago.
San Joaquin Valley fruit and vegetables – grossing about $7800 to New York City.
By Tozer Seeds America
Santa Maria, Calif. – Tozer Seeds America (Tozer), pioneer of the first F1 parsnip hybrid developed over three decades ago, gears up for the North American parsnip growing season as renewed consumer demand increases in 2015 for this sweet and succulent root vegetable.
Tozer is seeing new demand for parsnips in northern U.S. and southern Canada with Food Network claiming parsnips to be a new superfood on the rise and USA Today calling parsnips the next big thing in healthy snacking. Consumers are enjoying parsnips for their versatility – parsnips can be used in a variety of dishes or even be turned into wine – and health benefits – parsnip chips are a popular alternative to potato chips and were also featured on the hit TV series “The Biggest Loser.” Typically a winter vegetable, parsnips are now available year-round in supermarkets and farmers markets throughout the U.S.
“The introduction of F1 parsnip hybrids moved the market toward a washable, firm and narrower parsnip,” said Kraig Kuykendall, sales manager of Tozer Seeds America. “It enabled the production of a more consistently marketable and cost effective product.”
The development of new and improved parsnip varieties has been important in the history of Tozer. It continues to develop new hybrids with good vigor, canker resistance, shallow crowns, smooth skin, resistance to bruising and white roots of uniform shape and size. Growers interested in Tozer’s parsnips can learn more here.
About Tozer Seeds America
Tozer Seeds America is the U.S. branch of Tozer Seeds, the largest independent and family-owned vegetable breeding company in the U.K. Tozer Seeds specializes in breeding, production and distribution of quality vegetable seed. Tozer Seeds America opened in 2008 and is located in Santa Maria, California.
The importance of lower prices as a way to promote the purchase and consumption of fruit and vegetables has been highlighted by Researchers from Deakin University’s Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (C-PAN).
The study was released after the first Australian evidence that cutting prices can be an effective way to get people to buy more fresh produce.
In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the C-PAN “Supermarket Healthy Eating for Life” (SHELf) trial found that a 20 per cent price reduction in fruit and vegetables resulted in increased purchasing per household of 21 per cent for fruit and 12 per cent for vegetables over the price reduction period.
Crucially, the study also found that the price reduction worked equally well across both low and high income groups – good news for low income groups who are at particular risk of poor diets and associated ill health.
The study, the first of its kind ever done in Australia, was led by Professor Kylie Ball from C-PAN and focused on female primary household shoppers.
“Women remain primarily responsible for food selection and preparation and as household food ‘gatekeepers’, represent important targets for nutrition interventions.
“We also know that individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds tend to have lower intakes of fruits and vegetables and higher intakes of energy-dense, nutrient poor foods than their more advantaged counterparts.
“High costs are often given as a reason that people don’t eat more fruit and vegetables, but until now we didn’t know much about how effective price reductions might be.
“A staggering 95 per cent of the Australian adult population do not eat enough fruit and vegetables for good health, so strategies to help people to eat more fruit and vegetables are urgently needed,” she said.
The C-PAN study is the first rigorously designed trial in Australia and one of only a few in the world to test how price reductions in real world settings where people select and purchase food influence purchases of different foods and beverages
by American Pistachio Growers
FRESNO, Calif. — Pistachio nuts, singled out among other nuts, seem to have the strongest effect on reducing blood pressure in adults. This is according to a recent review and scientific analysis of 21 clinical trials, all carried out between 1958 and 2013. The review appears online in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a publication of the American Society for Nutrition.
Hypertension contributes to more than 7 million deaths annually worldwide attributed to cardiovascular disease. While numerous studies have shown eating nuts provides cardiovascular benefits to healthy as well as to high risk individuals and those with type 2 diabetes, the authors state that, to their knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials has been conducted to assess the effect of nut consumption on blood pressure.
The researchers concluded that nut consumption can reduce blood pressure and particularly systolic blood pressure. Of the nuts studied, pistachios seemed to have the strongest effect in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
This review and analysis included subjects with and without type 2 diabetes, recognizing the consumption of nuts could affect blood pressure in people with or without type 2 diabetes in different ways. Subgroup analyses based on the type of nut consumed suggest that pistachios significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, where mixed nuts reduce only diastolic blood pressure. When those with type 2 diabetes were removed from the analysis, only pistachios decreased systolic blood pressure as well.
Databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of consuming single or mixed nuts including walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, peanuts and soy nuts on systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure. Twenty-one trials were selected which studied 1,652 adults, ages 18-86 years.
The study points out that pistachios contain monounsaturated fatty acids and high amounts of phytosterols which may have beneficial effects on blood pressure and other nutrient qualities that lead to a reduction in oxidized LDL cholesterol and an improved antioxidant status. The study conclusion says although some medications and exercise appear to be effective in reducing blood pressure, healthy diets that include tree nuts may help to enhance their effectiveness and even result in reducing the dosage of hypertension medications.
The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and was registered in an international prospective register of systematic reviews. Meta-analysis consists of applying statistical methods for combining the findings from different independent but similar studies. Reviewers followed strict criteria for including or excluding studies and then pooled and tested the data for sources of agreement or disagreement.
The authors of the study reported no funding was received for this study and none of the authors declared a conflict of interest.
About American Pistachio Growers
American Pistachio Growers (APG) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 625 grower members in California, Arizona and New Mexico. APG is governed by an 18-member board of directors who are growers and is funded entirely by growers and independent processors with the shared goal of increasing global awareness of nutritious, American-grown pistachios. The United States has been #1 in global pistachio production since 2008.
While old crop potatoes are still being shipped, particularly from Western and Mid-western states, it already is looking like there will plenty of loading opportunities for the 2015-16 potato crop.
The USDA is reporting the following estimates from major potato shipping states. Idaho, which easily leads the pack in acreage, volume and shipments, has 4,000 more acres planted this season, which many considered to be too many acres a year ago.
Other states look like this: Colorado down 1,000 acres; Maine up 500 acres; Oregon no change; Washington up 5,000 acres and Wisconsin up 2,000 acres. The entire U.S. potato plantings for the upcoming season has increased by 18,400 acres, or two percent over last year’s big crop.
A major jump in plantings is with Minnesota that includes a whopping 7,000 acre increase (plus 16.3%) compared to 2014, and a 1,000 acres increase in North Dakota (1.3%).
Currently, Idaho potato shipments are amounting to about 1500 truck load equivalents per week. Colorado potato shipments from the San Luis Valley are average around 500 truck loads each week.
San Luis Valley potato shipments – grossing about 1750 to Dallas.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $4600 to New York City.
Washington/Oregon Potato Shipments
It’s too early to tell for sure, but excessive heat and drought could reduce shipments out of Washington state and Oregon this coming season. While some diggings will begin any day now, most active doesn’t occur until after Labor Day. We’ll know a lot more in a month or so.
Peach shipments are past their peak in Georgia, while increasing in volume from South Carolina. New Jersey peach loadings will get underway soon.
Georgia peach shipments from the Fort Valley are now in the last half of the season. Weather factors earlier in the year are going to result in only about a 60 percent crop over all. For example, Lane Southern Orchards, the state’s largest peach shipper, expects to ship about 475,000 25-pound half bushel cartons this season, compared to 750,000 bushels a year ago. Lane should be shipping into the last half August.
Georgia is moving about 100 truck loads of peaches per week.
Georgia peach shipments – grossing about $3400 to Boston.
South Carolina Peach Shipments
Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC expects to ship its highest volume of fruit from mid July through August, while winding down the season in early September. Titan is believed to be South Carolina’s largest peach shipper.
South Carolina is loading about 200 truck loads of peaches weekly, with volume still increasing.
South Carolina peaches – grossing about $3100 to New York City.
New Jersey Peach Shipments
New Jersey peach shipments are expected to be good this season when it kicks off in late July. We’ll have more details soon.
By Northwest Cherries Growers
Through June 22nd, the Northwest cherry industry has shipped just over 9 million 20-pound boxes. Despite many growers picking out light on all varieties up to this point, current shipments put the total crop on a path to finish June close to the pre-season industry estimate. The first Skeenas and Lapins have shipped.
We look forward to getting into more varieties coming into production, as we climb out of the projected dip in variety availability. We expect solid picking to continue in earnest for at least the next 2 weeks, with many later growers continuing even after that point.
The Rainier crop has shipped about 1 million boxes shipped to date. At 8 percent of the total shipped crop to date, that puts the 2015 yellow cherry crop in line with historical percentages despite the fact that we’ve shipped 450,000 more boxes to date than last year’s previous record. That’s an 89% increase year over year in this window. For the yellow cherries increased to 2,480 stores this week, from comparatively none the week prior and even fewer (100) the past year.
The Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys combined have been averaging about 1250 truck loads of cherries per week, although volume is expected to decline a little this week.
Washington cherries, apples and pears – grossing about $3150 to Atlanta.
Owner operators working with Cool Runnings Ltd. seem to be doing a little better financially this year, but company president Fred Plotsky would still like to see a more robust economy.
Based in Kenosha, WI and observing its 29th anniversary this month, Cooling Runnings has the majority of its business hauling produce out and California and the Northwest.
Plotsky cites lower diesel fuel prices as a primary factor in produce truckers doing better this year. Despite less money going for fuel, the owner operators his truck brokerage works with are saying they still need $2 per mile as freight rates continue to struggle keeping up with the increasing cost of operation.
“Business is better than last year,” Plotsky observes, “but it still could be better. There is an up tick in the economy, although I still see it as pretty flat to maybe slightly better at best.”
Cool Runnings has a history of working on a regular basis with the same produce truckers. The company provides advances to drivers, but Plotsky says one sign they are doing better, is fewer advances in pay are requested. “This leads me to believe the drivers have more money in their pockets,” he says.
Still, Plotsky knows that excessive rules and regulations on the trucking industry are taking its toll. For example, he points to the electronic logs being pushed this year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
“A lot of the older guys are not going to plug it (electronic logs) into the engine. They are saying, ‘you know what, I’m not going to do this, and they are hanging it up,” Plotsky says. While implementing electronic logs is not that complicated, he says it is matter of excessive FMCSA government oversight.
His truckers generally feel they are doing a good job of providing service and doing it safely. They are not hurting anyone, and trucking legally for the most part.
At the same time, Plotsky notes in produce trucking it is a challenge when there are so many multi pick ups. Delays at loading docks make it more difficult to operate legally. Yet, drivers are going to have to find a way to do this when the electronic logbooks become mandatory.
“With the multiple pick ups and delays in loading, it makes it a challenge to make on time deliveries. If you don’t get out of California on Monday night or early Tuesday morning, you can’t make it to Chicago on Friday. You can drive it, but not legally,” Plotsky concludes.
By The California Walnut Board
FOLSOM, Calif. – The California Walnut Board (CWB) today announced the launch of its Waldorf Salad Refresh Recipe Challenge in partnership with the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York, the birthplace of The Waldorf Salad and many other iconic culinary innovations. From now until July 23, 2015, foodies of all skill levels are invited to create and submit their most creative twists on the classic Waldorf Salad while incorporating the salad’s three signature ingredients: walnuts, celery and apples.
The winning dish will receive the honor of being featured on the menu of the Waldorf Astoria New York’s prestigious Sunday Brunch menu this fall, as well as on the California Walnuts website.
Since its inception in the late 1800s, The Waldorf Salad has become a beloved dish that has inspired countless variations over the years. For instance, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resort‘s annual Taste of Waldorf Astoria culinary challenge paired five established and five emerging chefs together to recreate one of Waldorf Astoria’s iconic dishes. The winning dish, Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf, was a recreation of the famous Waldorf Salad between Waldorf Astoria Master Chef Heinz Beck and JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome, the Rome Cavalieri. Similarly, the Waldorf Salad Refresh Recipe Challenge celebrates this timeless American classic and the delicious taste of walnuts by encouraging home cooks to develop and share their most unique and innovative recipes with California Walnuts in the spirit of friendly competition.
“We are pleased to celebrate the culinary versatility of walnuts with the Waldorf Salad Refresh Recipe Challenge. We want contestants to inspire walnut lovers everywhere by creating their most original versions of this American classic,” said Dennis A. Balint, CEO of the California Walnut Board. “And having the opportunity for the winning recipe to be featured on the Sunday Brunch menu at the Waldorf Astoria New York is simply a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Finalists will be selected by the California Walnut Board with the ultimate winner being selected by the Waldorf Astoria New York’s Director of Culinary, Chef David Garcelon. The grand prize winner will also receive $5,000 and a trip for two to New York City, which includes a two night stay at the Waldorf Astoria New York (blackout dates apply), brunch for two and one spa treatment at the hotel’s Guerlain Spa.
Not only do walnuts add flavor and a delightful crunch to salads and foods of all kinds, but they are also the only nut that provides an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid (2.5 grams), as well as being a convenient source of protein (4 grams) and fiber (2 grams), per one ounce serving.
For more information about the contest and to submit an original Waldorf Salad recipe and photo, visit www.Walnuts.org/Waldorf.
About the California Walnut Board The Walnut Marketing Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. In April 2008, the Walnut Marketing Board became the California Walnut Board to provide origin designation to the product it represents. The Board is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is empowered by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The Board promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity, advertising and educational programs, and also provides funding for walnut production and post-harvest research.
By Bully Dog
The Big Rig HD department is raising the bar for quality with the first of many turbo applications to come. The new HD turbo, part number 56250 is a direct replacement for 6 of the most common Caterpillar applications.
What makes the Bully Dog turbo better than the rest? Quality parts from start to finish. Our turbo is triple balanced to 180,000 RPM’s, assembled with quality copper thrust washers and journal bearings, and topped off with a billet wheel. We back up our heavy duty turbo with a one year warranty. We keep our customers in mind by making the purchase hassle free with NO core charge.
The Bully Dog 56250 turbo offers everything your big rig needs and more 36 HP more to be exact. Covering a full list of Caterpillar applications from 1989-2003 including 3406B, 3406C, 3406E, C-15 and C-16/
Bully Dog’s products are designed for economy AND power in order to give users what they need, when they need it. They have more to offer the Heavy Duty market than ever before, and want to connect with the folks who NEED their products.
Our sales team will be at the Truckers Jamboree July 9-11, 2015 to show big rig drivers how they can boost their rigs power, pull, and fuel economy using Bully Dog. Visit us across the way from the Pork Chop Tent.
Take Exit 284 for Walcott, Iowa. See you there!
Here’s more proof that some basic, fundamental changes are taking place in California regarding produce trucking. The two most cited reasons are excessive regulations – and the drought. This deals with the drought.
Many folks recalled not too many years ago when it was a rite of spring that truck rates would go crazy in California. In particular, the rates would be lowest the first part of the week, but might increase 30 to 50 percent by the end of the week as truck supplies were depleted. While some of the reasoning can be placed on long term negotiated rates (for a year, or at least a shipping season), it is suspected that less production or volume is coming out of California while Mexico and Canada are increasing. (Also, see the interview with Kenny Lund of the Allen Lund Company, from June 4th).
More California crop acreage is being removed from production in 2015, according to the California Department of Agriculture.
At 564,000 acres, fallowing will be up 33% over last year as growers cope with the state’s fourth year of drought, according to the preliminary estimate by University of California, Davis researchers.
They compared this year’s drought effects to years of average water supply. Surface water is even scarcer in 2015 than last year.
Growers are forecast to pump 6.2 million acre-feet of groundwater to partially make up for an 8.7 million shortage. The added pumping is projected to cost $595 million. When pumping costs, job losses, livestock, dairy and other factors are added in, the state’s agricultural industry anticipates drought losses of $2.7 billion.
The estimate pegs direct job losses at 8,560 full- and part-time jobs. But when spillover effects and increased pumping costs are factored in, total losses are closer to 18,600. The loss in irrigated crop revenues statewide for vegetables is estimated at $107.7 million, and for orchard and vines at $82.8 million.
If the California drought continues, the consequences for produce trucking, consumers and agriculture will become even more severe.
Salinas Valley vegetables – grossing about $5100 to Chicago.
San Joaquin Valley fruit and vegetables – grossing about $7800 to New York City.
By Tozer Seeds America
Santa Maria, Calif. – Tozer Seeds America (Tozer), pioneer of the first F1 parsnip hybrid developed over three decades ago, gears up for the North American parsnip growing season as renewed consumer demand increases in 2015 for this sweet and succulent root vegetable.
Tozer is seeing new demand for parsnips in northern U.S. and southern Canada with Food Network claiming parsnips to be a new superfood on the rise and USA Today calling parsnips the next big thing in healthy snacking. Consumers are enjoying parsnips for their versatility – parsnips can be used in a variety of dishes or even be turned into wine – and health benefits – parsnip chips are a popular alternative to potato chips and were also featured on the hit TV series “The Biggest Loser.” Typically a winter vegetable, parsnips are now available year-round in supermarkets and farmers markets throughout the U.S.
“The introduction of F1 parsnip hybrids moved the market toward a washable, firm and narrower parsnip,” said Kraig Kuykendall, sales manager of Tozer Seeds America. “It enabled the production of a more consistently marketable and cost effective product.”
The development of new and improved parsnip varieties has been important in the history of Tozer. It continues to develop new hybrids with good vigor, canker resistance, shallow crowns, smooth skin, resistance to bruising and white roots of uniform shape and size. Growers interested in Tozer’s parsnips can learn more here.
About Tozer Seeds America
Tozer Seeds America is the U.S. branch of Tozer Seeds, the largest independent and family-owned vegetable breeding company in the U.K. Tozer Seeds specializes in breeding, production and distribution of quality vegetable seed. Tozer Seeds America opened in 2008 and is located in Santa Maria, California.
The importance of lower prices as a way to promote the purchase and consumption of fruit and vegetables has been highlighted by Researchers from Deakin University’s Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research (C-PAN).
The study was released after the first Australian evidence that cutting prices can be an effective way to get people to buy more fresh produce.
In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the C-PAN “Supermarket Healthy Eating for Life” (SHELf) trial found that a 20 per cent price reduction in fruit and vegetables resulted in increased purchasing per household of 21 per cent for fruit and 12 per cent for vegetables over the price reduction period.
Crucially, the study also found that the price reduction worked equally well across both low and high income groups – good news for low income groups who are at particular risk of poor diets and associated ill health.
The study, the first of its kind ever done in Australia, was led by Professor Kylie Ball from C-PAN and focused on female primary household shoppers.
“Women remain primarily responsible for food selection and preparation and as household food ‘gatekeepers’, represent important targets for nutrition interventions.
“We also know that individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds tend to have lower intakes of fruits and vegetables and higher intakes of energy-dense, nutrient poor foods than their more advantaged counterparts.
“High costs are often given as a reason that people don’t eat more fruit and vegetables, but until now we didn’t know much about how effective price reductions might be.
“A staggering 95 per cent of the Australian adult population do not eat enough fruit and vegetables for good health, so strategies to help people to eat more fruit and vegetables are urgently needed,” she said.
The C-PAN study is the first rigorously designed trial in Australia and one of only a few in the world to test how price reductions in real world settings where people select and purchase food influence purchases of different foods and beverages
by American Pistachio Growers
FRESNO, Calif. — Pistachio nuts, singled out among other nuts, seem to have the strongest effect on reducing blood pressure in adults. This is according to a recent review and scientific analysis of 21 clinical trials, all carried out between 1958 and 2013. The review appears online in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a publication of the American Society for Nutrition.
Hypertension contributes to more than 7 million deaths annually worldwide attributed to cardiovascular disease. While numerous studies have shown eating nuts provides cardiovascular benefits to healthy as well as to high risk individuals and those with type 2 diabetes, the authors state that, to their knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials has been conducted to assess the effect of nut consumption on blood pressure.
The researchers concluded that nut consumption can reduce blood pressure and particularly systolic blood pressure. Of the nuts studied, pistachios seemed to have the strongest effect in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
This review and analysis included subjects with and without type 2 diabetes, recognizing the consumption of nuts could affect blood pressure in people with or without type 2 diabetes in different ways. Subgroup analyses based on the type of nut consumed suggest that pistachios significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, where mixed nuts reduce only diastolic blood pressure. When those with type 2 diabetes were removed from the analysis, only pistachios decreased systolic blood pressure as well.
Databases were searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of consuming single or mixed nuts including walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, peanuts and soy nuts on systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure. Twenty-one trials were selected which studied 1,652 adults, ages 18-86 years.
The study points out that pistachios contain monounsaturated fatty acids and high amounts of phytosterols which may have beneficial effects on blood pressure and other nutrient qualities that lead to a reduction in oxidized LDL cholesterol and an improved antioxidant status. The study conclusion says although some medications and exercise appear to be effective in reducing blood pressure, healthy diets that include tree nuts may help to enhance their effectiveness and even result in reducing the dosage of hypertension medications.
The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement and was registered in an international prospective register of systematic reviews. Meta-analysis consists of applying statistical methods for combining the findings from different independent but similar studies. Reviewers followed strict criteria for including or excluding studies and then pooled and tested the data for sources of agreement or disagreement.
The authors of the study reported no funding was received for this study and none of the authors declared a conflict of interest.
About American Pistachio Growers
American Pistachio Growers (APG) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 625 grower members in California, Arizona and New Mexico. APG is governed by an 18-member board of directors who are growers and is funded entirely by growers and independent processors with the shared goal of increasing global awareness of nutritious, American-grown pistachios. The United States has been #1 in global pistachio production since 2008.
While old crop potatoes are still being shipped, particularly from Western and Mid-western states, it already is looking like there will plenty of loading opportunities for the 2015-16 potato crop.
The USDA is reporting the following estimates from major potato shipping states. Idaho, which easily leads the pack in acreage, volume and shipments, has 4,000 more acres planted this season, which many considered to be too many acres a year ago.
Other states look like this: Colorado down 1,000 acres; Maine up 500 acres; Oregon no change; Washington up 5,000 acres and Wisconsin up 2,000 acres. The entire U.S. potato plantings for the upcoming season has increased by 18,400 acres, or two percent over last year’s big crop.
A major jump in plantings is with Minnesota that includes a whopping 7,000 acre increase (plus 16.3%) compared to 2014, and a 1,000 acres increase in North Dakota (1.3%).
Currently, Idaho potato shipments are amounting to about 1500 truck load equivalents per week. Colorado potato shipments from the San Luis Valley are average around 500 truck loads each week.
San Luis Valley potato shipments – grossing about 1750 to Dallas.
Idaho potatoes – grossing about $4600 to New York City.
Washington/Oregon Potato Shipments
It’s too early to tell for sure, but excessive heat and drought could reduce shipments out of Washington state and Oregon this coming season. While some diggings will begin any day now, most active doesn’t occur until after Labor Day. We’ll know a lot more in a month or so.
Peach shipments are past their peak in Georgia, while increasing in volume from South Carolina. New Jersey peach loadings will get underway soon.
Georgia peach shipments from the Fort Valley are now in the last half of the season. Weather factors earlier in the year are going to result in only about a 60 percent crop over all. For example, Lane Southern Orchards, the state’s largest peach shipper, expects to ship about 475,000 25-pound half bushel cartons this season, compared to 750,000 bushels a year ago. Lane should be shipping into the last half August.
Georgia is moving about 100 truck loads of peaches per week.
Georgia peach shipments – grossing about $3400 to Boston.
South Carolina Peach Shipments
Titan Farms in Ridge Spring, SC expects to ship its highest volume of fruit from mid July through August, while winding down the season in early September. Titan is believed to be South Carolina’s largest peach shipper.
South Carolina is loading about 200 truck loads of peaches weekly, with volume still increasing.
South Carolina peaches – grossing about $3100 to New York City.
New Jersey Peach Shipments
New Jersey peach shipments are expected to be good this season when it kicks off in late July. We’ll have more details soon.
By Northwest Cherries Growers
Through June 22nd, the Northwest cherry industry has shipped just over 9 million 20-pound boxes. Despite many growers picking out light on all varieties up to this point, current shipments put the total crop on a path to finish June close to the pre-season industry estimate. The first Skeenas and Lapins have shipped.
We look forward to getting into more varieties coming into production, as we climb out of the projected dip in variety availability. We expect solid picking to continue in earnest for at least the next 2 weeks, with many later growers continuing even after that point.
The Rainier crop has shipped about 1 million boxes shipped to date. At 8 percent of the total shipped crop to date, that puts the 2015 yellow cherry crop in line with historical percentages despite the fact that we’ve shipped 450,000 more boxes to date than last year’s previous record. That’s an 89% increase year over year in this window. For the yellow cherries increased to 2,480 stores this week, from comparatively none the week prior and even fewer (100) the past year.
The Yakima and Wenatchee Valleys combined have been averaging about 1250 truck loads of cherries per week, although volume is expected to decline a little this week.
Washington cherries, apples and pears – grossing about $3150 to Atlanta.
Owner operators working with Cool Runnings Ltd. seem to be doing a little better financially this year, but company president Fred Plotsky would still like to see a more robust economy.
Based in Kenosha, WI and observing its 29th anniversary this month, Cooling Runnings has the majority of its business hauling produce out and California and the Northwest.
Plotsky cites lower diesel fuel prices as a primary factor in produce truckers doing better this year. Despite less money going for fuel, the owner operators his truck brokerage works with are saying they still need $2 per mile as freight rates continue to struggle keeping up with the increasing cost of operation.
“Business is better than last year,” Plotsky observes, “but it still could be better. There is an up tick in the economy, although I still see it as pretty flat to maybe slightly better at best.”
Cool Runnings has a history of working on a regular basis with the same produce truckers. The company provides advances to drivers, but Plotsky says one sign they are doing better, is fewer advances in pay are requested. “This leads me to believe the drivers have more money in their pockets,” he says.
Still, Plotsky knows that excessive rules and regulations on the trucking industry are taking its toll. For example, he points to the electronic logs being pushed this year by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
“A lot of the older guys are not going to plug it (electronic logs) into the engine. They are saying, ‘you know what, I’m not going to do this, and they are hanging it up,” Plotsky says. While implementing electronic logs is not that complicated, he says it is matter of excessive FMCSA government oversight.
His truckers generally feel they are doing a good job of providing service and doing it safely. They are not hurting anyone, and trucking legally for the most part.
At the same time, Plotsky notes in produce trucking it is a challenge when there are so many multi pick ups. Delays at loading docks make it more difficult to operate legally. Yet, drivers are going to have to find a way to do this when the electronic logbooks become mandatory.
“With the multiple pick ups and delays in loading, it makes it a challenge to make on time deliveries. If you don’t get out of California on Monday night or early Tuesday morning, you can’t make it to Chicago on Friday. You can drive it, but not legally,” Plotsky concludes.
By The California Walnut Board
FOLSOM, Calif. – The California Walnut Board (CWB) today announced the launch of its Waldorf Salad Refresh Recipe Challenge in partnership with the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York, the birthplace of The Waldorf Salad and many other iconic culinary innovations. From now until July 23, 2015, foodies of all skill levels are invited to create and submit their most creative twists on the classic Waldorf Salad while incorporating the salad’s three signature ingredients: walnuts, celery and apples.
The winning dish will receive the honor of being featured on the menu of the Waldorf Astoria New York’s prestigious Sunday Brunch menu this fall, as well as on the California Walnuts website.
Since its inception in the late 1800s, The Waldorf Salad has become a beloved dish that has inspired countless variations over the years. For instance, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resort‘s annual Taste of Waldorf Astoria culinary challenge paired five established and five emerging chefs together to recreate one of Waldorf Astoria’s iconic dishes. The winning dish, Celery Risotto Alla Waldorf, was a recreation of the famous Waldorf Salad between Waldorf Astoria Master Chef Heinz Beck and JBF Rising Star Semi-Finalist Chef David Posey at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome, the Rome Cavalieri. Similarly, the Waldorf Salad Refresh Recipe Challenge celebrates this timeless American classic and the delicious taste of walnuts by encouraging home cooks to develop and share their most unique and innovative recipes with California Walnuts in the spirit of friendly competition.
“We are pleased to celebrate the culinary versatility of walnuts with the Waldorf Salad Refresh Recipe Challenge. We want contestants to inspire walnut lovers everywhere by creating their most original versions of this American classic,” said Dennis A. Balint, CEO of the California Walnut Board. “And having the opportunity for the winning recipe to be featured on the Sunday Brunch menu at the Waldorf Astoria New York is simply a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Finalists will be selected by the California Walnut Board with the ultimate winner being selected by the Waldorf Astoria New York’s Director of Culinary, Chef David Garcelon. The grand prize winner will also receive $5,000 and a trip for two to New York City, which includes a two night stay at the Waldorf Astoria New York (blackout dates apply), brunch for two and one spa treatment at the hotel’s Guerlain Spa.
Not only do walnuts add flavor and a delightful crunch to salads and foods of all kinds, but they are also the only nut that provides an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid (2.5 grams), as well as being a convenient source of protein (4 grams) and fiber (2 grams), per one ounce serving.
For more information about the contest and to submit an original Waldorf Salad recipe and photo, visit www.Walnuts.org/Waldorf.
About the California Walnut Board The Walnut Marketing Board was established in 1948 to represent the walnut growers and handlers of California. In April 2008, the Walnut Marketing Board became the California Walnut Board to provide origin designation to the product it represents. The Board is funded by mandatory assessments of the handlers. The CWB is empowered by a Federal Walnut Marketing Order. The Board promotes usage of walnuts in the United States through publicity, advertising and educational programs, and also provides funding for walnut production and post-harvest research.
By Bully Dog
The Big Rig HD department is raising the bar for quality with the first of many turbo applications to come. The new HD turbo, part number 56250 is a direct replacement for 6 of the most common Caterpillar applications.
What makes the Bully Dog turbo better than the rest? Quality parts from start to finish. Our turbo is triple balanced to 180,000 RPM’s, assembled with quality copper thrust washers and journal bearings, and topped off with a billet wheel. We back up our heavy duty turbo with a one year warranty. We keep our customers in mind by making the purchase hassle free with NO core charge.
The Bully Dog 56250 turbo offers everything your big rig needs and more 36 HP more to be exact. Covering a full list of Caterpillar applications from 1989-2003 including 3406B, 3406C, 3406E, C-15 and C-16/
Bully Dog’s products are designed for economy AND power in order to give users what they need, when they need it. They have more to offer the Heavy Duty market than ever before, and want to connect with the folks who NEED their products.
Our sales team will be at the Truckers Jamboree July 9-11, 2015 to show big rig drivers how they can boost their rigs power, pull, and fuel economy using Bully Dog. Visit us across the way from the Pork Chop Tent.
Take Exit 284 for Walcott, Iowa. See you there!
