Foreign Agricultural Service

Planet Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, December 7, 2023

Third quarter gross margin was 47%, compared to 50% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Third quarter gross margin was 47%, compared to 50% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.
  • Third quarter Non-GAAP Gross Margin(1) was 52%, compared to 54% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023.
  • (1) Please see “Planet’s Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a discussion on how Planet calculates the non-GAAP financial measures presented herein.
  • The actual amount of these expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2024 will have a significant impact on Planet’s future GAAP financial results.

Blue Diamond Growers applauds USDA's Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP)

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 23, 2023

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned almond cooperative, applauds United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement of the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), which will provide much needed investment in U.S. agricultural export promotion initiatives with direct benefits to California almonds. Nearly 70 percent of California almonds are exported worldwide.

Key Points: 
  • SACRAMENTO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned almond cooperative, applauds United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement of the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), which will provide much needed investment in U.S. agricultural export promotion initiatives with direct benefits to California almonds.
  • Blue Diamond has been involved in export promotion for over 100 years.
  • "Opening and accelerating markets is essential to sustaining California almond growers, who face some of the highest agriculture production costs in the country," said Alicia Rockwell, Chief Government Affairs Officer for Blue Diamond Growers.
  • Blue Diamond appreciates the priority USDA continues to place on this important partnership and continued support of California almond growers.

USDA and Cooperators Boost Reduction and Re-utilization of Food Loss and Waste in Asia

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

The aim of this forum was to boost reduction of escalating FLW across the globe and potential re-utilization through innovative technologies.

Key Points: 
  • The aim of this forum was to boost reduction of escalating FLW across the globe and potential re-utilization through innovative technologies.
  • USDA's Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Guangzhou launched this forum and hopes to hold similar discussions in the future.
  • The last two presentations focused on food waste, where an average of 17% waste in total food supply chain was estimated to occur post-retail.
  • Recycling of nutrients from food waste from selected sources (i.e., food supermarkets) via industrialized husbandry of black soldier fly appears a more viable solution to food waste re-utilization  than general composting and direct animal feeding.

Bangladesh Lifts Fumigation Requirements on U.S. Cotton Following CCI-Sponsored U.S. Cotton Tour

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 18, 2023

Bangladesh's Agricultural and Commerce Ministries' decision to lift the fumigation requirements came after six Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture delegation members joined a CCI-sponsored U.S. cotton tour coordinated with the National Cotton Council (NCC).

Key Points: 
  • Bangladesh's Agricultural and Commerce Ministries' decision to lift the fumigation requirements came after six Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture delegation members joined a CCI-sponsored U.S. cotton tour coordinated with the National Cotton Council (NCC).
  • Although there is some domestic cotton produced in Bangladesh, it accounts for 1% or less of total demand.
  • Bangladesh was a Top 10 export market for U.S. cotton in 2022, with exports valued at $477.07 million ( https://www.fas.usda.gov/regions/bangladesh ).
  • Cotton Council International (CCI) is a non-profit trade association that promotes U.S. cotton fiber and manufactured cotton products around the globe with our COTTON USA™ Mark.

Bangladesh Lifts Fumigation Requirements on U.S. Cotton Following CCI-Sponsored U.S. Cotton Tour

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 18, 2023

Bangladesh's Agricultural and Commerce Ministries' decision to lift the fumigation requirements came after six Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture delegation members joined a CCI-sponsored U.S. cotton tour coordinated with the National Cotton Council (NCC).

Key Points: 
  • Bangladesh's Agricultural and Commerce Ministries' decision to lift the fumigation requirements came after six Bangladesh Ministry of Agriculture delegation members joined a CCI-sponsored U.S. cotton tour coordinated with the National Cotton Council (NCC).
  • Although there is some domestic cotton produced in Bangladesh, it accounts for 1% or less of total demand.
  • Bangladesh was a Top 10 export market for U.S. cotton in 2022, with exports valued at $477.07 million ( https://www.fas.usda.gov/regions/bangladesh ).
  • Cotton Council International (CCI) is a non-profit trade association that promotes U.S. cotton fiber and manufactured cotton products around the globe with our COTTON USA™ Mark.

The Worldwide Wood Pellet Industry is Expected to Reach $29 Billion in 2027 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 31, 2023

According to international standards, product requirements for energy density, moisture, abrasion resistance, particle size, and shape for wood pellets are defined, turning wood pellets into a commodity.

Key Points: 
  • According to international standards, product requirements for energy density, moisture, abrasion resistance, particle size, and shape for wood pellets are defined, turning wood pellets into a commodity.
  • With the rising production of wood pellets, there has been a significant rise in the trade flows of wood pellets across the globe.
  • There are different applications of wood pellets that are boosting their demand worldwide.
  • Industrial wood pellets are used as a substitute for coal in power plants while premium pellets are used in pellet boilers and pellet stoves for heating.

Outlook on the Wood Pellet Global Market to 2027 - Europe is the Largest Consumer and the Largest Producer of Wood Pellet

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 31, 2023

DUBLIN, Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Wood Pellet Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • DUBLIN, Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Wood Pellet Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • With the rising production of wood pellets, there has been a significant rise in the trade flows of wood pellets across the globe.
  • All these factors are anticipated to fuel the growth of the global wood pellet market during the next five years.
  • Major players in the global Wood Pellet market have been covered along with their relative competitive positions and strategies.

University of Phoenix alum Dr. McCarthy Ijiebor receives Cochran Fellowship

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 4, 2023

University of Phoenix is pleased to share that alum McCarthy Ijiebor, Ph.D./HEA, has been selected to receive a Cochran Fellowship by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service.

Key Points: 
  • University of Phoenix is pleased to share that alum McCarthy Ijiebor, Ph.D./HEA, has been selected to receive a Cochran Fellowship by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agriculture Service.
  • Ijiebor has been a self-employed entrepreneur since 2000 and now owns a chain of restaurants in Nigeria.
  • “Being selected for the Cochran Fellowship was a wonderful opportunity to expand my knowledge of the global food supply chain,” shares Ijiebor.
  • Ijiebor also holds a Master’s in Public Administration, a Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master's in Education from Imo State University in Owerri, Nigeria.

USSEC Highlights Sustainability, Reliability, Quality of U.S. Soy to Global Audience During Soy Connext

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 25, 2022

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol (SSAP) has earned Silver Level Equivalence when benchmarked with the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform (SAI Platform)'s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0, a major takeaway from Soy Connext, the global soy summit hosted by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), with support from the soy checkoff.  After two days of expert speakers and connection building in San Diego, more than 600 buyers and sellers of U.S. Soy are leaving with a better understanding of the value and advantages delivered by the U.S. soybean industry.

Key Points: 
  • Soy Connext provides an excellent forum to collaborate so companies can leverage U.S. Soy's superior quality, reliability, and sustainability in response to these challenges."
  • The benchmark eases the process for food and beverage sector to assess, improve and validate on-farm sustainability in their supply chains with U.S. Soy.
  • Conference participants from 64 countries were in attendance for Soy Connext, learning of U.S. Soy's status of providing superior quality and having the lowest carbon footprint versus soy of other origins.
  • This news release was partially funded by U.S. Soy farmers, their checkoff and the soy value chain.

MEDFORD COOPERATIVE ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 24, 2022

MEDFORD, Wis., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medford Cooperative is pleased to announce a key appointment to its senior leadership team.

Key Points: 
  • MEDFORD, Wis., Aug. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Medford Cooperative is pleased to announce a key appointment to its senior leadership team.
  • Jake Korzeniewski is joining the organization as the new Director of Agricultural Services.
  • Medford Cooperative has over 110 years of expertise in serving agricultural producers.
  • Medford Cooperative is currently one of the fastest growing Cooperatives in Wisconsin, with a long history in serving the agricultural community.