By Clint Thompson A microscopic pest is becoming a giant-size problem for pepper and eggplant growers in the Southeast. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, confirmed that broad mites are impacting vegetable producers significantly more than a decade ago. “I would say they’re becoming much more of a consistent pest than they’ve been in the past. …
Specialty Eggplants Yield Higher Value
By Karla Arboleda Clemson University researchers are studying the productivity of different specialty eggplants to determine their value over common eggplants. Anthony (Tony) Keinath, an Extension vegetable pathologist at Clemson University, is conducting fall trials on several eggplant cultivars. Their size and appearance determine their potential market success. “We are doing this with a minimal amount of pesticide inputs. The …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Report Tony Keinath, Extension Plant Pathologist Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Sarah Scott Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Report Rob Last Daniel Lyon Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to …
Corteva’s Transform Insecticide an Effective Option Against Jassid
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s impact on certain vegetable crops means Southeast growers need a management plan. Corteva’s Transform® WG Insecticide is that tool growers can count on, says Jared Walls, Corteva Technical Field Agronomist in Georgia, who also covers Alabama and Florida. “The good news is Transform is currently labeled on many of those specialty crops. When you …
Diverse Crops, Marketing Channels Yield Success for Alabama Grower
By Clint Thompson Alabama farmer Taylor Hatchett’s diverse approach in what she grows and how she markets her crop is a reason why Boozer Farms remains a successful farming operation in Chilton County. Some may connect Hatchett and Boozer Farms with the place to get strawberries; or blueberries; or vegetables. No matter what consumers come to purchase at Boozer Farms, …
Cotton Jassid Still Absent in Georgia Fields
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s lingering absence in fields across South Georgia is a win for vegetable producers in the middle of this year’s spring season. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said the insect hasn’t been detected since about February, though researchers and Extension agents have been closely monitoring traps set up across the region. …
Cotton Jassid’s Current Absence in Fields Positive Development for Vegetable Farmers
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s devastating impact on cotton last year has industry experts alert on when the insect will emerge as a threat this season. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, emphasized that the insect has not been detected in multiple weeks, which is a positive sign heading into planting season. “We’ve got some …
Attention Growers: Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline for 2025 is April 24
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the agency is reopening the 2025 crop acreage reporting period required for specialty crop producers who want to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program. Specialty crop producers now have until April 24, 2026, to report 2025 acres to FSA. The ASCF program is designed to help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging …