The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries reminds producers that the 2021 Irrigation Income Tax Credit is available and covers costs for irrigation equipment, fuel conversion and reservoirs. The deadline to submit is Jan. 31, 2022. For more information, see agi.alabama.gov/irrigation. The Alabama Department of Revenue requires farmers to complete a precertification process before they can claim the Qualified Irrigation …
Georgia Farmer: Not Going to Replace All These Truckers Overnight
By Clint Thompson One Georgia farmer believes there are changes that could be made to the current truck driving system that would attract more drivers. The first is reducing the minimum age required to drive on the roads, says Kent Hamilton, owner and CEO of Southern Valley in Norman Park, Georgia. “Some things I’ve heard is reducing the age requirement …
Alabama Extension Touts Crop Rotations
By Clint Thompson Vegetable farmers hoping to reduce input costs should implement crop rotations. This management system helps protect against unwanted pests and diseases while reducing fertilizer and insecticide inputs, said Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama during the Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Webinar Series. “The main goal in crop rotations is to reduce the amount of the …
Georgia Vegetable Grower: Supply Chain Crisis a Strain That Will Get Worse
By Clint Thompson The current supply chain crisis is putting a strain on vegetable farmers in the Southeast. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. That’s the message that Jon Schwalls, Executive Officer at Southern Valley, sent to the U.S. House Ag Committee during testimony last week. Crop protection products that growers utilize and take for granted …
‘Light’ Crop: Weather Impacts SE Pecans
By Clint Thompson Early observations from this year’s pecan harvests indicate what growers feared throughout the summer and early fall – pecan quality and yields are down this year across the Southeast. “Now we’re starting to see in these mid-season harvest varieties, we’re seeing them come out of the orchard a little light. Where it looks like they had a …
Around the Clock Care: Peach Tree Management a Year-Round Process
By Clint Thompson Peach tree management is a year-round process for Alabama producers. How growers take care of their trees after harvest and during the dormant season will impact production next year. That’s the message David Lawrence, Alabama Regional Extension Agent in central Alabama, hopes to convey to producers. “Peach production is hard in June, July and into August. The …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Persist Across Southeast
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions continue to persist in certain areas across the Southeast. In Florida, abnormally dry conditions are detected in the northeast part of the state, along the Atlantic coast. These range from Nassau County to Volusia County. Dry conditions are also being experienced in Southeast Georgia, along the Atlantic coast in Richmond County, …
Federal Help Needed with Truck Driver Shortage Crisis
By Clint Thompson The current truck driver shortage that is plaguing the U.S. may not be rectified without help at the federal level. That’s the feeling shared by Tra Williams, owner and president of Fleetforce Truck Driving School in Winter Haven, Florida. With as many truck drivers that retire every week, there’s considerably less that are applying to take their …
Industry Leader: Truck Driver Shortage Not Surprising
ATA Anticipates 1.1 Million Truckers Needed Over Next 10 Years By Clint Thompson The truck driver shortage in the U.S. that is disrupting vegetable and specialty crop operations and causing increased freight costs is not a surprise to one industry leader. It just came to light during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Tra Williams, owner and president of FleetForce Truck Driving …
Excitement Builds Toward Upcoming S.E. Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is two months away for those in Georgia, Florida and Alabama interested in attending. After last year’s conference was held virtually due to COVID-19, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is excited about the show’s return in Savannah, Georgia on Jan. 6-9, 2022, says Charles Hall, GFVGA executive …