Tagged News

• Valley farmers on alert as quarantine area for Mexican fruit fly grows Play Video

  January 28, 2020 6:42 PM

  MERCEDES – A quarantine on citrus trees in the Rio Grande Valley is growing. More than 400 square miles in Cameron and Willacy counties combined are under quarantine because of the Mexican fruit fly. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a quarantine area is triggered when five flies... more »

• CON MI GENTE: Valley Citrus and Vegetable Show Play Video

  December 31, 2019 1:33 PM

  MERCEDES – Some may remember the old Valley Citrus and Vegetable Show, where 4-H and FFA member would visit local farms, harvest some of produce and then exhibit them in competition. Well, the show it back and it’s found a new home at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show... more »

• Dry Conditions Causing Concern for Valley Growers Play Video

  November 5, 2019 8:08 PM

  MISSION – A year ago, the capacity levels at Falcon Lake were 48.2% full. Today, the percentage is almost cut in half and it’s causing concern for Rio Grande Valley farmers and growers. They’re keeping an eye on how dry the watershed is. When you think of a... more »

• USDA Grants $150M to Help Valley Farmers Impacted by Flooding Play Video

  September 16, 2019 5:36 PM

  MERCEDES – From too dry to too wet. Rio Grande Valley farmers and growers are saying too much rain can be a bad thing. Many local farmers are still recovering from losses due to flooding in June 2018 and June of this year. Right now, the Department of... more »

• Local Farmers' Harvest Affected by Cold Temperatures Play Video

  March 4, 2019 4:19 PM

  WESLACO – Local farmers say the recent cold weather is causing issues for their harvest. The senior vice president of business affairs, Bret Erickson, says the cold weather slows the harvesting process for growers throughout the Rio Grande Valley. "Some of our products like melons, which are in... more »

• Citrus Industry Working through Busy Season Play Video

  January 15, 2019 2:50 PM

  MISSION – The citrus industry is in the middle of a busy season. Oranges and grapefruits that are picked off of Rio Grande Valley tress have a process before getting to consumers. "Over the Christmas holidays, we worked 93 days straight. We were off on New Year's Eve,... more »

• Local Citrus Grower Seeks Options Due to Bad Harvest Season Play Video

  December 26, 2018 6:19 PM

  DONNA – A Rio Grande Valley citrus grower says weather conditions from drought to flooding have made this a bad year for business. Lawrence Revelle has been in the citrus industry for over half a century. He says he had hoped lower temperatures in the late summer would... more »

• USDA Offering Assistance for Farmers Impacted by China’s Tariffs Play Video

  September 5, 2018 4:42 PM

  WESLACO – Local farmers who were impacted by recent tariffs can now apply for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Earlier this year, President Trump announced a $12 billion relief package after China’s government imposed new tariffs on U.S. imports. To apply, growers must contact the Farm Service Agency.... more »