Dec 30, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Forget the party in Times Square - many countries and cultures around the world will soon celebrate the arrival of 2010 with food and lucky meals. From eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight in Spain and Mexico, to dining on herring in Scandinavia, food often serves as a way to bring good luck starting New Year’s Day. Data shows that it is the crop protection products such as those produced by the member companies of CropLife America (CLA) which help to keep an abundant food supply and low costs, so revelers can kick off a lucky new year with an affordable meal.
It is a popular tradition in the American South to eat collards and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, which is often considered a lucky meal. Collards currently grow on over 11,000 acres, creating 168 million pounds of crop valued at $36,000,000. Mostly produced in Georgia, Alabama, California, North Carolina and South Carolina, collards are often impacted by diseases such a black rot and downy mildew which, if not treated, can result in 100% crop loss for farmers.
Yet with the responsible application of crop protection products, much of the yield can be saved and farmers can maintain a solid supply of the leafy vegetable. To ensure maximum production, 78% of all acres of collards are treated with fungicides, resulting in 65% of the American yield being attributed to crop protection technologies.
“The figures yet again demonstrate the impact that crop protection has on the yield of American crops and its valuable use to farmers and consumers alike,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “These innovative products are integral to the agricultural community and the everyday benefits are often overlooked. It is not just some extra luck in 2010 which will keep food prices low, but modern agriculture to help keep America fed.”
