Posted August 23, 2013
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) recently
issued two marketing order final rules affecting cranberry and avocado growers,
handlers, and consumers.
According to the Federal Register notice, available here, the
final rule, “Cranberries Grown in States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington,
and Long Island in the State of New York; Revising Determination of Sales
History” modifies sales history calculations so they are “applicable for future
seasons and adjusts the number of years that can be considered when determining
the highest four years of past sales.”
The rule was changed to improve the accuracy of representing grower
sales because “calculated sales history impacts the amount of allotment
received under volume regulation.”
The second final rule, “Avocados Grown in South
Florida; Change in Minimum Grade Requirements,” increases the minimum grade
requirements currently prescribed under the Florida avocado marketing
order. According to the notice,
available here,
the rule increases the current minimum grade requirement form a “U.S. No. 2 to
a U.S. Combination grade for avocados shipped to destinations outside of the
production area.” This change “aligns
marketing order regulations with current industry practices the benefit of
growers, handlers, and consumers.”
For more information on
federal marketing orders, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center website, here. 
