-January 6,2020-
Tulare County farmer now president of Sunkist
Sunkist Growers now have a Tulare County farmer as president and CEO with the retirement of Russ Hanlin this fall. Jim Phillips of Porterville Citrus has been selected to head up the citrus co-optive with a big presence in Tulare County.
Chairman of Sunkist Growers Tulare Co farmer Gerald Denni said: “Russ has made tremendous contributions to Sunkist Growers and the citrus industry overall. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Russ for his dedication to our growers, shippers, employees, and customers, and to welcome Jim to the executive leadership team at Sunkist Growers.”
Sunkist Growers also recently hired citrus-industry veteran Matt Shekoyan to serve as Vice President of Strategy for the 126-year-old citrus cooperative and Fruit Growers Supply (FGS). Both Phillips and Shekoyan worked at the Wonderful Company for years.
A look at corn and hog prices
Corn and hog price remain in lock step down from 2016 through 2019. Both farm commodities have been hurt by the tarrif war in the past two years.
Egg prices stay low
No indication that with the adoption of the California standard for hen houses that its hurt the consumer as egg prices remain lower in 2019 compared to 2018. Figures from USDA.
Citrus in Japan
A new USDA report says citrus acreage in Japan continues to decline amid decreasing consumption and aging rural population. In the 2019/20 marketing year mandarin production is forecast to hit a historic low of 740,000 metric tons. Japan’s rising demand for lemon-like citrus will be met through increasing imports and land use transition from mandarin to lemon production.
The new U.S.-Japan trade agreement includes a stepwise tariff reduction and increase in safeguard levels for U.S. orange exports to Japan. In response to reduced mandarin production and anticipated tariff reduction, Post forecasts a modest increase in U.S. orange exports to Japan in the 2019/20 MY.
Alfalfa acreage down
Central California used to be the alfalfa belt as dairymen prided themselves on raising feed near-bv in multiple cuttings for their own herd.
The Hoyt Report says California will set the record for the lowest alfalfa acres since record keeping began in 1921. The current estimate is 560,000 acres, down 10 percent. Washington state has been following that same trend as well, having the lowest acres (down 9 percent) since the mid-1970s.
The combination of fewer acres and lower yields in California this year will translate into the Golden State’s lowest production since the 1930s. Into the future California dairy operators will have to rely more on neighboring states for their alfalfa needs.
US dairy exports to China fall 50%
The US dairy industry tries to regain its mojo in the new year after losing a big export market in 2019.Exports of U.S. dairy products to China have declined over 50% in 2019.