The United Fresh Produce Association is proud to announce the launch of the United Fresh Virtual Marketplace, the first 24/7 search engine for produce industry products and services associated with a North American produce event.
The United Fresh Virtual Marketplace lists detailed product information in hundreds of categories from over 220 companies, including exhibitors at the upcoming United Fresh 2009 convention in Las Vegas, April 21-24. While the Virtual Marketplace was launched to coincide with United Fresh 2009, the site will continue to add new products and companies all year long.
The new database is built on a state-of-the-art product search platform, allowing visitors a completely free service to search for products of interest in a variety of ways. For example, visitors can search by product category for food safety equipment, packaging materials or new fresh produce items, or they can search for specific companies to see the array of product offerings from each.
The site also provides for an interactive user experience, allowing visitors to send messages to companies requesting additional information or personal meetings, and to create personalized lists of products and companies of interest.
Here’s my group here in my presentation that’s taking place still at the WSSA meeting in Orlando.
The 
John Deere has introduced a large volume of new tractors this year, ranging from 45 to 105 hp, to fit just about any need. I talked with Keith Hendrix with Deere who told me all about the new tractors that are part of the Drive Green caravan that Chuck has been busy following around the country.
The 
While Cindy is looking at machinery, I’ll be talking weeds here in Orlando at the 49th meeting of the Weed Science Society of America and 69th meeting of the Southern Weed Science Society.
Rob Rippchen, division marketing manager at John Deere seed in Moline, IL says this 120 foot planter is the next generation planter building off the DB90 introduced five years ago. “This planter will plant somewhere between 90 and 100 acres an hour,” Rob says. “Most growers will remember last spring when it was so wet and one of the easiest ways to improve productivity is to increase your working width.”