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Looking across the USA, there will be a lot of loading opportunities for apples, 
particularly in the west, although fewer than a several months ago before weather factors hit some orchards.
In the East, there actually should be a few more loads available for the 2012-13 season from both Pennsylvania and Virginia. No word on the New England states, but volume from there is relatively light even in good years.
New York state, particularly the central and western shipping areas took a significant hit from freezing weather earlier in the year. The Hudson Valley apparently escaped pretty much unscathed. Overall, New York state apple shipments will be down around 50 percent, estimated to be about 590 million pounds. Before the freeze, the state was looking at about 1.2 billion pounds of apples.
Poor ole Michigan took the biggest hit from freezing temperatures this year. At one time is was looking to ship 985 million pounds. Apple tonnage now is forecast at only 105 million pounds.
Washington state, which on any given year shipments about as many apples as the rest of the other states combined, also lost tonnage a few weeks ago from hail storms. However, it was on course to have record shipments. Even though that will not now happen, it still will be loading as much fruit on average, as it has over the past five seasons.
Washington’s Yakima and Wenatchee Valley apples – grossing about $5300 to New York City and Hunts Point.
Xata Corp.’s Xata Turnpike management software is now integrated with TMWSuite transportation management software from TMW Systems.
The Xata Turnpike and TMWSuite integration provides a cost-effective solution that combines the driver and fleet management tools, according to a news release.
“Our relationship with TMW Systems is very important, and we look forward to continue working with them across their various products serving the transportation industry to bring customers more cost-effective integrated solutions,” said Kirsten Lester, Xata senior integration program manager, in the release.
The Xata Turnpike and TMWSuite combines driver and fleet management tools to emphasize productivity.
TMWSuite can detect site arrival and departure events and update loads in dispatch without manual intervention, according to the release.
Xata Turnpike’s data also assists dispatchers with load planning by organizing driver availability based on available hours.
More than 2,000 Total Quality Logistics employees are using the company’s new mobile app, according to a news release.
The app gives employees of the Cincinnati -based company the ability to monitor the movement of freight from a smartphone or tablet.
The On-the-Go app was in development for several months, according to the release.
The sales staff also played a role in the design and delivery of the application.
“Our employees suggested features and functionality that really improved this app,” said George Rewick, chief information officer in the release. “It will give each and every one of them an edge because they will be able to serve their customers faster and more completely than ever before.”
California continues to work its way through the peak summer shipping season 
as much of the middle part of the country stays in the weather’s frying pan. While this may not be good for crops and livestock in the Mid-west, it is contributing to strong, steady shipments off of the West Coast.
For example, tomato shipments from USA areas such as Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina have been hit hard by the heat wave. This is resulting in more demand and better California loadings, whether it is tomatoes from the San Joaquin Valley, Ventura County, San Diego County, or even from Mexico’s Baja California.
Meanwhile, California should be shipping 4 to 5 million trays of strawberries weekly right on through August — mostly from the Watsonville District. During September, loading are still expected to remain strong — in the 3.5 to 4 million-tray range. While quality of strawberries has been a little up and down this year, some observers are predicing the berries will be much better the latter part of the season. That would be great not only for strawberry lovers, but for the guys and gals hauling them. Better quality should mean fewer claims or rejected loads.
There also remains mostly steady shipments of Salinas Valley vegetables, plus fruits and vegetables from throughout much of the San Joaquin Valley.
Salinas Valley produce grossing – about $7500 to New York City.
Carrier Transicold’s PrimeLine unit is the first container refrigeration system with a UL Environment validation for recyclability.
The PrimeLine unit, which is 93% recyclable, is validated by UL Environment’s Environmental Claims Validation Procedure 2789, according to the release.
PrimeLine units are made almost entirely of recyclable materials and are listed in the UL Environment’s Sustainable Product Database.
“Just as energy efficiency is important to our customers seeking the most sustainable container refrigeration solutions, so too is the recyclability of the units when they reach the end of their service life,” said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold in the release. “The UL Environment validation assures that the PrimeLINE unit leads in recyclability, while maintaining its reputation for industry-leading performance and efficiency.”
The PrimeLine units were introduced to the market four years ago and more than 100,000 units are in service globally, according to the release.
Some of the most reasonably price fruit items in local supermarkets now are strawberries, raspberries and grapes. Apples will be 
an interesting item to watch this fall.
Strawberries have been a frustrating item at best this summer. No one likes to waste their hard earned dollars on something that doesn’t have the taste or durability (shelf life). My purchase of strawsberries have been all over the board, ranging from good (not great) to very disappointing. I tend to think labels or brands can be a bit over rated. A top brand may or may not be better than a generic fruit or even a lesser known brand. However, this year I have found Discroll brand strawberries have been more consistently good. My big disappointement has been with the Red Blossom brand. More often than not, it has left me wishing I’d left it on the supermarket shelf.
The fall strawberry crop out of California is projected to stronger this year, and growers are predicting improved quality and flavor through August and September. I hope they are right!
Another favorite of mine are raspberries. Even with the Driscoll brand, “razz” is so perishable you really need to check the clamshell package for excessive moisture from the berries — and for mold. Still, no one does a better job with raspberries than Driscoll.
Table grapes from California’s San Joaquin Valley are available and a possible record setting crop is translating into attractive retail prices. Just bought some red grapes and the high sugar content makes them oh so sweet!
Finally, apple lovers are looking forward to the new crop which is now arriving at stores. On July 20 hail storms did some significant damage to some orchards in Washington state. Still, there will be plenty of apples because Washington was poised to have a historic crop. Even though the weather damage may reduce the crop by as much as 25 percent, it was so huge, that there will still be plenty of the fruit.
Something to keep in mind. Some orchards were hit much harder than others. To save as much of their crop as possible, you could be seeing some “high grade” bags of apples in your stores. This is simply a fancy name for some fruit that is less than fancy. It is apples that have some “dimples” from minor hits by hail. These dimples will turn brown and have a russetted look. They should have a lower price because they aren’t as “pretty,” although the eating quality should still be fine.
While Washington state apple shippers are wringing their hands over the crop 
and profits that could have been, apple haulers probably won’t notice a lot of difference this 2012-13 season, since even after a hail reduced crop, shipments will be right in there with the average for the past five years.
One difference however, are the possibilities truckers may face with claims, unless you make sure the buyers know what is being delivered. There could be some hail damaged apples shipped to market this year; ones that look a little roughed up on the outside, but the quality is supposed to be good on the inside.
The apples with damage from hail will have “dimples” that turn brown and have a russetted look.
Some orchards totally escaped damage from the July 20 hail storm, while others were hit with varying amounts of damage. Much of the hits were taken by the Red Delicious variety.
The five-year average for Washington state apple shipments has been 100 to 110 million cartons. Before the hail storm, shippers were looking to move as much as 120 million cartons of apples this season. Loading opportunities are still expected to be good, despite the predictions of 10 to 25 percent of the crop being lost.
Updates on the amount of damage to apples from the hail storm are expected to come out within the next week.
Much of the USA is sizziling in triple digits and number 2 diesel prices, while not at record levels, are still high enough to make it difficult for 
a lot of owner operators and small fleet owners to make ends meet.
For example, the Flying J Truck Stop here in Grand Forks, ND has number 2 diesel fuel for $3.83 per gallon. That is above the national average for diesel this week, which is at $3.79 per gallon.
Duane Riendeau, 65, was an owner operator for 32 years. Five years ago he became a company driver for Troy Pecka Trucking Co. Inc. of East Grand Forks, MN. He sold his equipment stating trucking has become “too costly” with all of the government regulations and with the price of diesel fuel pushing $4 per gallon. He knows several owner operators personally who are just barely making it, because freight rates are not keeping up with costs of operation.
Although Randy Boushey of A&L Potato Co. Inc. in East Grand Forks, MN still has his CDL and continues to own three 18 wheelers, he only uses his trucks for deliveries within a 300-mile radius. His potato packing and shipping company has customers well beyond the 300-mile radius and he sees more late deliveries due to aging equipment with mechnical problems. He cites high fuel costs as one of reasons truckers are delaying replacement of tractors and trailers.
It seems there’s alway excuses for diesel fuel being higher than it should be, despite Americans reducing their fuel consumption. Whether it is problems with refineries in Illinois and Indiana cutting their out put, or economic woes in Europe, crazies in the Middle East pulling their stupid terrorist stuff, or any number of other factors – the reasons seem very few for prices to drop.
The experts and observors of oil prices are genenerally saying diesel prices will only go up until after Labor Day, before it starts dropping; unless of course some idiot in Syria, Timbuktwo, or someplace else does something which may not even be remotely connected to the price of oil. But that doesn’t seem to matter.
California apple and pear shipments have started, joining bell peppers and host of other veggies, stone fruits and grapes being 
shipped. Across the country, summer produce shipments also are moving in good volume as well, although few can match the volume coming from California.
California apples for the new shipping season are under way from the San Joaquin Valley, while the new pear crop is providing loads from the San Joaquin Valley as well as the Sacramento District. Both items join a host of San Joaquin Valley produce items ranging from peaches, plums and nectarines to veggies such as sweet corn, and bell peppers, among others, as well as table grapes and melons.
Looking ahead to fall citrus shipments, California volume is forecast to be pretty normal. Mandarin loadings get underway by mid October, while navel oranges should start shipping in Novemember and continue through May 2013. The 2011-12 navel crop amounted to 88 million 40-pound cartons being shipped. The Valencia orange loadings are winding down and about 28 million cartons will have been shipped by the end of the season.
Michigan
Michigan is a leading shipper of blueberries, which are moving in good, steady volume. There’s also a wide array of vegetables such as sweet corn, bell peppers and squash being loaded on trucks.
New York
Cabbage loads are now coming out of Western and Central New York. Other vegetables will soon be available for hauling.
Eastern Shore
The tri-state area of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia have had a good growing season and steady shipments of vegetables and melons are now occurring.
Eastern Shore produce is grossing – about $1700 to Chicago.
Michigan produce – about $2700 New York and Hunts Point.
California’s San Joaquin Valley produce – about $7500 to New York City.
I made my first trip to the Red River Valley, the nation’s largest red potato growing area, in December 1996. I thought when this southern 
boy who found himself in -40 degree F wind chills, I was going to freeze to death! Located on the North Dakota, Minnesota border, I have been back every year since, only in the summertime.
Whether I’m spending time with potato shippers, or truckers up here, there are no friendlier people to be found anywhere.
Getting to the Red River Valley with a load, whether going to Fargo on the southern end of the valley, or a small town located near the Canadian border, or any location found between the eastern edge of valley in far Western Minnesota, or approximately 100 miles to the other side of the valley in North Dakota, often isn’t easy. It can be as challenging as getting a load of freight from the Midwest to the West Coast.
Right now, grain haulers are taking center stage as the harvest in the valley is well underway. However, shortly after Labor Day, the huge combines will give away to digging potatoes from the region’s rich, black soil.
The only potatoes in the region currently being harvested are out of Big Lake and Long Prairie, MN. While the spuds are grown in Minnesota, many, if not most of them are actually being sold by the larger shippers in the Red River Valley such as Associated Potato Growers, Grand Forks, ND; NoKota Packers, Buxton, ND; and A&L Potato Co., East Grand Forks, MN. These companies often arrange the transportation as well.
The harvest of Red River Valley potatoes typically lasts from September into October, or until the first hard frost kills off the remaining potatoes in the fields.
Patrick Sammons of St. Joseph, MO is a driver for Grand Forks based Britton Transport. “It’s tough sometimes getting loads into the valley,” he admits.
Driver Jerry Smedly of Staples, MN says he hauls more french fries out of the valley than he does fresh red potatoes. He hauls for Attendorf Express Inc. out of Minto, ND.
Dave Moquist grows and ships red potatoes out of Crystal, ND. His company, O.C. Schulz & Sons, has found truck supplies to be adequate the past couple of years. However, potato shipments also have been down, requiring less equipment for hauling.
Paul Dolan of Associated Potato Growers, large potato cooperative based in Grand Forks, ND, says trucks were in tight supply last fall. He believes part of the reason is the oil boom taking place in the Western region of North Dakota. It is taking drivers that normally would be hauling other things.
Overall, red potatoes from the valley for the 2012-13 shipping season, are expected tobe normal at best. Warmer weather and less rain are expected to cut total shipments this season. — Bill Martin
Looking across the USA, there will be a lot of loading opportunities for apples, particularly in the west, although fewer than a several months ago before weather factors hit some orchards.
In the East, there actually should be a few more loads available for the 2012-13 season from both Pennsylvania and Virginia. No word on the New England states, but volume from there is relatively light even in good years.
New York state, particularly the central and western shipping areas took a significant hit from freezing weather earlier in the year. The Hudson Valley apparently escaped pretty much unscathed. Overall, New York state apple shipments will be down around 50 percent, estimated to be about 590 million pounds. Before the freeze, the state was looking at about 1.2 billion pounds of apples.
Poor ole Michigan took the biggest hit from freezing temperatures this year. At one time is was looking to ship 985 million pounds. Apple tonnage now is forecast at only 105 million pounds.
Washington state, which on any given year shipments about as many apples as the rest of the other states combined, also lost tonnage a few weeks ago from hail storms. However, it was on course to have record shipments. Even though that will not now happen, it still will be loading as much fruit on average, as it has over the past five seasons.
Washington’s Yakima and Wenatchee Valley apples – grossing about $5300 to New York City and Hunts Point.
Xata Corp.’s Xata Turnpike management software is now integrated with TMWSuite transportation management software from TMW Systems.
The Xata Turnpike and TMWSuite integration provides a cost-effective solution that combines the driver and fleet management tools, according to a news release.
“Our relationship with TMW Systems is very important, and we look forward to continue working with them across their various products serving the transportation industry to bring customers more cost-effective integrated solutions,” said Kirsten Lester, Xata senior integration program manager, in the release.
The Xata Turnpike and TMWSuite combines driver and fleet management tools to emphasize productivity.
TMWSuite can detect site arrival and departure events and update loads in dispatch without manual intervention, according to the release.
Xata Turnpike’s data also assists dispatchers with load planning by organizing driver availability based on available hours.
More than 2,000 Total Quality Logistics employees are using the company’s new mobile app, according to a news release.
The app gives employees of the Cincinnati -based company the ability to monitor the movement of freight from a smartphone or tablet.
The On-the-Go app was in development for several months, according to the release.
The sales staff also played a role in the design and delivery of the application.
“Our employees suggested features and functionality that really improved this app,” said George Rewick, chief information officer in the release. “It will give each and every one of them an edge because they will be able to serve their customers faster and more completely than ever before.”
California continues to work its way through the peak summer shipping season as much of the middle part of the country stays in the weather’s frying pan. While this may not be good for crops and livestock in the Mid-west, it is contributing to strong, steady shipments off of the West Coast.
For example, tomato shipments from USA areas such as Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina have been hit hard by the heat wave. This is resulting in more demand and better California loadings, whether it is tomatoes from the San Joaquin Valley, Ventura County, San Diego County, or even from Mexico’s Baja California.
Meanwhile, California should be shipping 4 to 5 million trays of strawberries weekly right on through August — mostly from the Watsonville District. During September, loading are still expected to remain strong — in the 3.5 to 4 million-tray range. While quality of strawberries has been a little up and down this year, some observers are predicing the berries will be much better the latter part of the season. That would be great not only for strawberry lovers, but for the guys and gals hauling them. Better quality should mean fewer claims or rejected loads.
There also remains mostly steady shipments of Salinas Valley vegetables, plus fruits and vegetables from throughout much of the San Joaquin Valley.
Salinas Valley produce grossing – about $7500 to New York City.
Carrier Transicold’s PrimeLine unit is the first container refrigeration system with a UL Environment validation for recyclability.
The PrimeLine unit, which is 93% recyclable, is validated by UL Environment’s Environmental Claims Validation Procedure 2789, according to the release.
PrimeLine units are made almost entirely of recyclable materials and are listed in the UL Environment’s Sustainable Product Database.
“Just as energy efficiency is important to our customers seeking the most sustainable container refrigeration solutions, so too is the recyclability of the units when they reach the end of their service life,” said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold in the release. “The UL Environment validation assures that the PrimeLINE unit leads in recyclability, while maintaining its reputation for industry-leading performance and efficiency.”
The PrimeLine units were introduced to the market four years ago and more than 100,000 units are in service globally, according to the release.
Some of the most reasonably price fruit items in local supermarkets now are strawberries, raspberries and grapes. Apples will be an interesting item to watch this fall.
Strawberries have been a frustrating item at best this summer. No one likes to waste their hard earned dollars on something that doesn’t have the taste or durability (shelf life). My purchase of strawsberries have been all over the board, ranging from good (not great) to very disappointing. I tend to think labels or brands can be a bit over rated. A top brand may or may not be better than a generic fruit or even a lesser known brand. However, this year I have found Discroll brand strawberries have been more consistently good. My big disappointement has been with the Red Blossom brand. More often than not, it has left me wishing I’d left it on the supermarket shelf.
The fall strawberry crop out of California is projected to stronger this year, and growers are predicting improved quality and flavor through August and September. I hope they are right!
Another favorite of mine are raspberries. Even with the Driscoll brand, “razz” is so perishable you really need to check the clamshell package for excessive moisture from the berries — and for mold. Still, no one does a better job with raspberries than Driscoll.
Table grapes from California’s San Joaquin Valley are available and a possible record setting crop is translating into attractive retail prices. Just bought some red grapes and the high sugar content makes them oh so sweet!
Finally, apple lovers are looking forward to the new crop which is now arriving at stores. On July 20 hail storms did some significant damage to some orchards in Washington state. Still, there will be plenty of apples because Washington was poised to have a historic crop. Even though the weather damage may reduce the crop by as much as 25 percent, it was so huge, that there will still be plenty of the fruit.
Something to keep in mind. Some orchards were hit much harder than others. To save as much of their crop as possible, you could be seeing some “high grade” bags of apples in your stores. This is simply a fancy name for some fruit that is less than fancy. It is apples that have some “dimples” from minor hits by hail. These dimples will turn brown and have a russetted look. They should have a lower price because they aren’t as “pretty,” although the eating quality should still be fine.
While Washington state apple shippers are wringing their hands over the crop and profits that could have been, apple haulers probably won’t notice a lot of difference this 2012-13 season, since even after a hail reduced crop, shipments will be right in there with the average for the past five years.
One difference however, are the possibilities truckers may face with claims, unless you make sure the buyers know what is being delivered. There could be some hail damaged apples shipped to market this year; ones that look a little roughed up on the outside, but the quality is supposed to be good on the inside.
The apples with damage from hail will have “dimples” that turn brown and have a russetted look.
Some orchards totally escaped damage from the July 20 hail storm, while others were hit with varying amounts of damage. Much of the hits were taken by the Red Delicious variety.
The five-year average for Washington state apple shipments has been 100 to 110 million cartons. Before the hail storm, shippers were looking to move as much as 120 million cartons of apples this season. Loading opportunities are still expected to be good, despite the predictions of 10 to 25 percent of the crop being lost.
Updates on the amount of damage to apples from the hail storm are expected to come out within the next week.
Much of the USA is sizziling in triple digits and number 2 diesel prices, while not at record levels, are still high enough to make it difficult for a lot of owner operators and small fleet owners to make ends meet.
For example, the Flying J Truck Stop here in Grand Forks, ND has number 2 diesel fuel for $3.83 per gallon. That is above the national average for diesel this week, which is at $3.79 per gallon.
Duane Riendeau, 65, was an owner operator for 32 years. Five years ago he became a company driver for Troy Pecka Trucking Co. Inc. of East Grand Forks, MN. He sold his equipment stating trucking has become “too costly” with all of the government regulations and with the price of diesel fuel pushing $4 per gallon. He knows several owner operators personally who are just barely making it, because freight rates are not keeping up with costs of operation.
Although Randy Boushey of A&L Potato Co. Inc. in East Grand Forks, MN still has his CDL and continues to own three 18 wheelers, he only uses his trucks for deliveries within a 300-mile radius. His potato packing and shipping company has customers well beyond the 300-mile radius and he sees more late deliveries due to aging equipment with mechnical problems. He cites high fuel costs as one of reasons truckers are delaying replacement of tractors and trailers.
It seems there’s alway excuses for diesel fuel being higher than it should be, despite Americans reducing their fuel consumption. Whether it is problems with refineries in Illinois and Indiana cutting their out put, or economic woes in Europe, crazies in the Middle East pulling their stupid terrorist stuff, or any number of other factors – the reasons seem very few for prices to drop.
The experts and observors of oil prices are genenerally saying diesel prices will only go up until after Labor Day, before it starts dropping; unless of course some idiot in Syria, Timbuktwo, or someplace else does something which may not even be remotely connected to the price of oil. But that doesn’t seem to matter.
California apple and pear shipments have started, joining bell peppers and host of other veggies, stone fruits and grapes being shipped. Across the country, summer produce shipments also are moving in good volume as well, although few can match the volume coming from California.
California apples for the new shipping season are under way from the San Joaquin Valley, while the new pear crop is providing loads from the San Joaquin Valley as well as the Sacramento District. Both items join a host of San Joaquin Valley produce items ranging from peaches, plums and nectarines to veggies such as sweet corn, and bell peppers, among others, as well as table grapes and melons.
Looking ahead to fall citrus shipments, California volume is forecast to be pretty normal. Mandarin loadings get underway by mid October, while navel oranges should start shipping in Novemember and continue through May 2013. The 2011-12 navel crop amounted to 88 million 40-pound cartons being shipped. The Valencia orange loadings are winding down and about 28 million cartons will have been shipped by the end of the season.
Michigan
Michigan is a leading shipper of blueberries, which are moving in good, steady volume. There’s also a wide array of vegetables such as sweet corn, bell peppers and squash being loaded on trucks.
New York
Cabbage loads are now coming out of Western and Central New York. Other vegetables will soon be available for hauling.
Eastern Shore
The tri-state area of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia have had a good growing season and steady shipments of vegetables and melons are now occurring.
Eastern Shore produce is grossing – about $1700 to Chicago.
Michigan produce – about $2700 New York and Hunts Point.
California’s San Joaquin Valley produce – about $7500 to New York City.
I made my first trip to the Red River Valley, the nation’s largest red potato growing area, in December 1996. I thought when this southern boy who found himself in -40 degree F wind chills, I was going to freeze to death! Located on the North Dakota, Minnesota border, I have been back every year since, only in the summertime.
Whether I’m spending time with potato shippers, or truckers up here, there are no friendlier people to be found anywhere.
Getting to the Red River Valley with a load, whether going to Fargo on the southern end of the valley, or a small town located near the Canadian border, or any location found between the eastern edge of valley in far Western Minnesota, or approximately 100 miles to the other side of the valley in North Dakota, often isn’t easy. It can be as challenging as getting a load of freight from the Midwest to the West Coast.
Right now, grain haulers are taking center stage as the harvest in the valley is well underway. However, shortly after Labor Day, the huge combines will give away to digging potatoes from the region’s rich, black soil.
The only potatoes in the region currently being harvested are out of Big Lake and Long Prairie, MN. While the spuds are grown in Minnesota, many, if not most of them are actually being sold by the larger shippers in the Red River Valley such as Associated Potato Growers, Grand Forks, ND; NoKota Packers, Buxton, ND; and A&L Potato Co., East Grand Forks, MN. These companies often arrange the transportation as well.
The harvest of Red River Valley potatoes typically lasts from September into October, or until the first hard frost kills off the remaining potatoes in the fields.
Patrick Sammons of St. Joseph, MO is a driver for Grand Forks based Britton Transport. “It’s tough sometimes getting loads into the valley,” he admits.
Driver Jerry Smedly of Staples, MN says he hauls more french fries out of the valley than he does fresh red potatoes. He hauls for Attendorf Express Inc. out of Minto, ND.
Dave Moquist grows and ships red potatoes out of Crystal, ND. His company, O.C. Schulz & Sons, has found truck supplies to be adequate the past couple of years. However, potato shipments also have been down, requiring less equipment for hauling.
Paul Dolan of Associated Potato Growers, large potato cooperative based in Grand Forks, ND, says trucks were in tight supply last fall. He believes part of the reason is the oil boom taking place in the Western region of North Dakota. It is taking drivers that normally would be hauling other things.
Overall, red potatoes from the valley for the 2012-13 shipping season, are expected tobe normal at best. Warmer weather and less rain are expected to cut total shipments this season. — Bill Martin