Today was our FBGA marketing seminar. I think it was well received by the growers.

My take on the meeting was Florida is well positioned in the short term for continued success. The long term (5 years) is not as great. Our prices will probably decline slightly over the next few years but nothing we can't live with. Our market window has probably let us put more lower quality fruit into the stores. As supply goes up there will be more pressure to pack a higher quality product. That's not a bad thing.

Food safety and high quality need to go hand and hand.

There was a lot of talk about higher per acre production. This will be a challenge. We are in Florida, low chill and very high disease pressures normally limit our production.

Overall I am very optimistic. Of course time will tell.

Bud progression

it appears emerald buds are swelling rapidly and will be in flowers in the next week, i am not seeing as much movement in jewels. spring wides are at 10% flowers as are spring highs. very slight amount of vegetative break on a few jewels but i haven't seen any on any other varieties.
looks like for the moment we are on track to a more normal season.

anyone out there seeing much different?

Jan 18 meeting

If you have not gotten your registration form for the Jan 18 meeting pls let me know. It should be a very interesting event specifically geared to marketing Florida blueberries. The location is the Trinkle Center in Plant City.

Chilean blueberry crop on track to exceed 2009-10
shipments Sizeable volumes of high-quality Chilean blueberries continue to arrive at all points of entry into the U.S., leading industry experts to predict that this year’s crop will substantially surpass 2009-2010 shipments. According to current numbers, Chilean blueberry exports are set to exceed last year’s numbers – a total of 49,793 tons – by more than 22%. The Chilean Blueberry Committee reports that actual blueberry shipments to date are running nearly 4% ahead of estimates, with one-third of the total crop, or 20,862 metric tons, now shipped. The U.S. is expected to receive about 82% of the current export crop. The fresh blueberries come at a perfect time for U.S. consumers, bringing a burst of summer freshness in the middle of the winter season. In addition to American markets, the CBC is also targeting Europe and Asia this season. Blueberry harvest has ended in the northern areas and is nearly complete in Chile’s central zone. The south-central regions are shipping the majority of the current berries, and harvest is just beginning in the southern zone. The Chilean Blueberry Committee was formed in May 2009 by the leading Chilean blueberry exporting companies within the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX). Currently the CBC is comprised of 28 exporter organizations, representing more than 87% of last season’s total fresh blueberry exports. The CBC works with the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association to boost Chilean fresh blueberry sales around the globe. Contact: Tom Tjerandsen Chilean Fresh Fruit Association Tel: (707) 938-8400 mailto:tomtj@ix.netcom.com

Cold Weather

Bitter cold here in Polk County this a.m. Cold spots in the county went down to 22- 24 degrees last night. The good news it's very early in the bud stage for blueberries so there is no need to run water for freeze protection. There have been some growers running water and I don't know why unless they are protecting snowchaser. Can anyone enlighten me as to the purpose of running water all night at this point in time? I have some fruit on emeralds but it is not something we are going to sell therefore not work protecting.

Upcoming Events

Take a look at the FBGA website if you haven't recently. It is getting better day by day. We now have a calendar of events which lists most relevant upcoming events.

Speaking of events we have a marketing seminar planned for Jan 18. It will be in Plant City at the Trinkle Center on the HCC campus. The purpose of this meeting is to further growers education regarding the marketing of Florida blueberries. We will cover where Florida fits into the global picture. Numerous marketers will give their point of view as to where our market is heading. Their will also be speakers discussing the formation of cooperatives and exchanges. Retailers will give their thoughts on our market as well. The meeting will end with a discussion on post harvest physiology and the importance of quality to the retail buyer. I have not formalized the details but will in the next couple of weeks. Once we have the agenda set it will be posted on the FBGA website.

Fall Grower Association Meeting

The date of the next meeting is October 21. It will be at the Sumter County fair grounds, the same place as last year's fall meeting. Booth space is limited. If you are interested in having a booth please contact Teresa Steffey as soon as possible. Her email address is: testeffey@aol.com

Upcoming Events

July 31-Aug 1 Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference
www.smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu

September23-25 The Landscape Show
www.fngla.org

September 19-21 FFVA Annual Convention
www.ffva.com

September 29- Oct 1 FFVA Annual Ag Labor Seminar
www.ffva.com

October 13-15 Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

October 15-16 USHBC Fall Meeting
www.blueberry.org

October 15-18 Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit
www.pma.com/freshsummit

October 19-21 Sunbelt Ag Expo
www.sunbeltexpo.com

October 21 Florida Blueberry Growers Fall Meeting
www.floridablueberrygrowers.com

November 10 Florida Ag Expo
www.floridaagexpo.com

November 29-Dec 1 Southeast Vegetable and Fruit Expo
919-334-0099

December 5-7 The Irrigation Show 2010
www.irrigationshow.org

January 6-9 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
www.gfvga.org

February 8-10 World Ag Expo
www.worldagexpo.com

February 16-19 National Farm Machinery Show
www.farmmachineryshow.org