In this month’s sneak peek, the August issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the skyrocketing input costs that are impacting day-to-day farming operations. Various growers across the Southeast speak up about the costs, relating to diesel, fertilizer and pesticide use. Those growers include Kent Hamilton and Jessica Kirk from Georgia and Tony DiMare from Florida, who said he has seen a 25% to 30% increase in production costs since COVID.
In his Up Front feature, editor-in-chief Frank Giles talked about the high input costs further. He added that consumers have felt the inflationary sting as well. But the higher prices paid at the stores don’t make it back to the farm.
In other news, University of Georgia weed scientist Stanley Culpepper discussed the challenging weeds that growers contend with. Nutsedge remains the most problematic weed in plasticulture production.
The Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group recently hosted a series of webinars addressing important viruses that pests like whiteflies and aphids may carry. The group’s goal was to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies that will mitigate virus threats to cucurbit production in the U.S.
Video Component
Don’t miss this month’s bonus video coverage in the interactive digital edition of Specialty Crop Grower magazine.
VIDEO: Hear more from producers about how inflation is impacting their businesses. (page 8)
VIDEO: Learn about Stanley Culpepper’s relationship with growers. (page 11)
VIDEO: Don’t miss the digital edition to see the webinar series presented by the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group. (page 13)
VIDEO: See a successful social media video of a child making orange muffins for his mom. (page 20)