A Preview Of USApple’s 2013 Outlook Conference

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Attending this year’s Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, hosted by USApple, will be more important than ever. For the first time, the Conference will unveil the only 2013 U.S. apple crop national estimate.

USDA will not publish its much-anticipated August report on the size of this fall’s apple crop due to federal sequestration. In fact, USDA halted their entire non-citrus fruit, nut, and vegetable program analysis and reports. This includes the important 2013 apple new-crop estimate in July as well as the final August 2012 apple crop production report. New crop intelligence at Outlook will be especially valuable for marketing and business decisions.

The Outlook Conference is designed specifically for industry leaders from the U.S. and around the world from all segments of the apple industry, including production, packing, processing, sales, marketing, and new products. Every year, more than 300 of the industry’s best and brightest gather at the conference seeking answers.

Outlook 2013 is the industry’s premier one-stop source for high-level networking and learning opportunities where you will hear from industry experts about innovative marketing initiatives, retail sales trends, and how the changing U.S. population will drive future business growth.

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In addition, the unprecedented weather last year, combined with an optimistically good sized crop anticipated across the country, means that everyone in the apple industry has a vested interest in the market intelligence that Outlook 2013 will provide. This information is invaluable as you prepare for fall harvest and marketing this year’s apple crop, as well as deciding which varieties to plant next year and beyond.

Make plans today to join us August 22-23 in Chicago, IL, for this unprecedented opportunity to network with other growers, marketers, and leaders of our industry. Plus, leave with the only 2013 U.S. apple crop national estimate available. We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Register for Outlook 2013 by visiting www.USApple.org. For more information about the conference, USApple membership, or sponsorship opportunities, contact Jessa Allen, director of membership and communications at the U.S. Apple Association.

Update: Immigration Reform

At press time, the Senate is gearing up to begin debate on S.744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (comprehensive immigration reform). The legislation, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in May, includes strong agricultural provisions negotiated by USApple and our coalition partners in the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC).

The agriculture title includes an adjustment of status for current agriculture workers with significant incentives to stay in agriculture. It is estimated that just over 1 million agriculture workers will qualify for this program, which will provide stability to the industry for the first five years after enactment while the new program is established. For growers currently in the H-2A program, the transition should be relatively seamless, with the ability to hire the same returning workers but under a more streamlined and less bureaucratic system.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has pledged the month of June for consideration of the bill, and the debate promises to be vigorous as hundreds of amendments are expected to be filed, some designed to improve the bill and others aimed at stopping it. The bipartisan “Gang of 8” that developed the legislation has promised to stick together and vote against any amendments that might jeopardize overall chances of passage. This means that, in some cases, Senators will vote against amendments that they might otherwise support to ensure the “deal” is not broken. This also means that there might be amendments offered to the agriculture provisions that sound good on the surface but go against the deal. As a result, our Senate champions will vote against them, and that is better in the long run.

Support for the agriculture title is wide from grower groups like USApple and the American Farm Bureau Federation to the United Farm Workers, plus Senators from both sides of the “aisle” including some conservatives who are still contemplating their position on the larger bill. However, to get the legislation across the finish line, there needs to be support for the overall bill, and we are working to achieve this. USApple is joining forces with our AWC partners to educate key Senate offices about the agriculture provisions and to urge a “yes” vote on the legislation. It will be important to have a strong vote as the bill moves through the Senate, sending a strong message to the House that the time to act is now. If you have not done so already, send a message to your Senators in support of the legislation and urge others to do the same.

Note: this information is provided by Diane Kurrle, vice president of public affairs at the U.S. Apple Association.

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