Ag News: California Cherry Harvest
**Harvest of the California cherry crop, estimated at 7 million 18-pound boxes, is underway in southern growing regions near Bakersfield and Fresno.
Thepacker.com reports, with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting markets globally, California cherry growers will be relying more on domestic sales this year.
According to the California Cherry Board, as much as 25% of the California crop is exported annually.
The industry is focused on adjusting harvesting and packing practices to prevent spread of the virus among the workforce.
**Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue is applauding the safe reopening of critical meatpacking facilities across the country.
These facilities have resumed or plan to resume operations following President Trump’s Executive Order directing them to implement the CDC and the Department of Labor’s OSHA guidelines.
Perdue says the USDA, the CDC, and state and local health officials have been working around the clock to ensure a safe and stable supply of protein is available for American consumers all while keeping employees safe.
**The Trump administration has bowed to concerns from livestock producers and fruit and vegetable growers and will modify the limits for the upcoming COVID-19 relief payments.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue tells agrimarketing.com USDA had been trying to "mimic" the payment limits on farm bill commodity programs, but agreed with farm groups that the limits were too low at $125,000 per commodity and $250,000 per person.
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