Ag News: Record Agricultural Exports and New Purple Tomatoes

**Record agricultural exports are contributing to favorable economic conditions for the U.S. farm sector.

That’s according to the Farm Credit Administration’s quarterly report on economic issues, as reported by www.agrimarketing.com.

The report also says exports to China have risen to record levels, with increases in soybeans, corn, wheat, and cotton.

High crop prices and strong producer margins are expected to bring more acreage into production, but continuing drought in much of the western U.S. is a concern.

www.agrimarketing.com/s/135778

**The new Oregon State University-developed tomato Midnight Roma follows in the steps of 10-year-old Indigo Rose, the first antioxidant-rich purple tomato available on the market.

Midnight Roma is the result of crossing Oregon Star, a big, fleshy tomato good for slicing or paste with excellent flavor, and Indigo Rose, a dark purple tomato that contains anthocyanins, the same healthy antioxidants found in blueberries.

Indigo Rose was bred by Jim Myers, vegetable breeder and professor in the OSU College of Agricultural Sciences.

**Availability of water remains a key factor in the value of California farmland.

Speakers at an annual conference said farmland with access to surface water generally commands higher prices than land served entirely by wells.

Experts say California farmland values remained relatively stable during the past year, despite the impacts of dry weather, the COVID-19 pandemic and frequently lower crop prices.