The PEN

USDA releases 2012 Floriculture Crops Summary

The USDA has released the 2012 Floriculture Crops Summary, which shows that the 2012 wholesale value of floriculture crops is up 1 percent from the 2011 valuation. The total crop value at wholesale for the 15-state program for all growers with $10,000 or more in sales is estimated at $4.13 billion for 2012, compared with $4.08 billion for 2011.

California continues to be the leading state with crops valued at $985 million, down 3 percent from the 2011 value. Florida, the next largest producer, is down 3 percent from the prior year to $812 million in wholesale value. These two states account for 44 percent of the 15-state total value. For 2012, the top 5 states are California, Florida, Michigan, Texas and North Carolina, which account for $2.72 billion, or 66 percent, of the 15-state total value.

The number of producers for 2012, at 5,419, is down 6 percent in the 15 states, compared with the 2011 count of 5,763. In the 15-state program, total covered area for floriculture crop production was 702 million square feet, down 1 percent from the 2011 area of 712 million square feet. The average peak number of hired workers employed on operations in the 15-state program in 2012 is 19. A total of 4,184 operations hired workers during 2012. Overall, 77 percent of operations used some hired labor during 2012, up 1 percentage point from 2011.

Read the rest of the report at 1.usa.gov/15sSEu7.
 

International Energy Code Development Committee unanimously approves NGMA’s proposal CE-24

On April 26, National Greenhouse Manufacturers Association (NGMA) President Matt Stuppy and Codes & Standards Committee Chair Craig Humphrey (along with Intercode Incorporated) represented the NGMA in Dallas at the International Code Council’s Code Development Committee Hearings. NGMA’s proposal CE-24 to the International Energy Code Development Committee was approved unanimously. This proposal added a definition for greenhouses and an exemption for the thermal envelope to the International Energy Code.

The Committee’s recommendation for approval is the first step in making this part of the Energy Code, according to NGMA. The next step is a period of public comment, followed by final action hearings in October. NGMA states it expects to see some opposition to the proposal at the final action hearings.

During the next five months, NGMA will be working with ICI to educate building officials about this issue. If you are interested in assisting NGMA in this endeavor, please contact the office at info@ngma.com.

 
2013 Michigan Garden Plant Tour starts July 29

The 10th Annual Michigan Garden Plant Tour will take place July 29 to Aug. 9. The objective of the tour is to educate growers and industry professionals about new and existing plant selections and how they perform in different settings.

Greenhouse growers, landscapers, garden center and nursery operators are invited to visit each of these participating tour sites during the two-week period.

Expect to learn about a wide range of ornamental crops, including popular commercial brands of annuals, perennials, and shrubs, and to observe plant performance at different locations and grown under various conditions, both in the ground and in containers.

Take a day trip to visit a couple of sites, or complete the entire loop for the full tour. The Michigan Garden Plant Tour is completely free, but growers would appreciate a call ahead to know you’ll be coming. 

Attendees are also invited to participate in the MSU Plant Trial Field Day in the Horticulture Gardens on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2013. You’ll hear the latest on new annuals and perennials, see unbiased garden performance of ornamentals and hear directly from many of the breeding companies about their favorite plants. Dr. Art Cameron (MSU Gardens Director) and Katie McCarver (MSU Trials Manager) will present the top-performing plants in this year’s MSU trials. Check back in May for more information.

BloomaPalooza will also take place during the Plant Tour at the Raker Trial Gardens in Litchfield Aug.1 to 3. This event brings together independent garden retailers with breeders, growers, educators and suppliers from throughout North America.

For more on the Michigan Garden Plant Tour, please contact tour coordinators Jennifer Sweet 517-355-5191 x1339) or Erik Runkle (517-355-5191 x1350), or visit planttour.hrt.msu.edu.
 

The Haifa Group, MGS Horticultural to purchase Plant Products Co. Ltd.

MGS Horticultural, a full-service supplier of fertilizers, pest-control products, seeds and substrates in North America, together with Haifa Chemicals, a global supplier of potassium nitrate for agriculture and industry, specialty plant nutrients and food phosphates, today announced a plan to purchase Plant Products Co. Ltd. Plant Products is a Canadian supplier of fertilizer and pesticides in the specialty horticulture market. The deal was anticipated to close 60 days from when the companies announced it at the end of April.

“This sale will ensure that the marketplace continues to receive world-class customer service as well as leading-edge products,” says Neil Dolson, president of Plant Products Co. Ltd.

MGS will acquire Plant Products’ Canadian distribution business, sales force and name. MGS plans to use both names (MGS Horticultural and Plant Products) in all communications going forward. MGS will maintain locations in Leamington, Ontario; Brampton, Ontario; Laval, Quebec; St. Hyacinthe, Quebec; and Detroit, Mich. As part of the deal, MGS has signed multi-year agreements with Haifa to maintain exclusive distribution of Plant-Prod Soluble Fertilizers, Acer Controlled Release Fertilizer, Stim-Root and potting soil premix fertilizers for distribution in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Eastern Canada.

Read more: bit.ly/ZLKSY7.