COVID-19 altered the marketing plans of Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers in 2020. Restaurants closed, which crippled certain sectors of the fruit and vegetable industry. Farmers must continue to adjust as a new season approaches while the pandemic continues. Jessie Boswell, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, believes the pandemic’s …
Auburn Extension Specialist Encouraged by Chill Hours Accumulation
Cooler temperatures so far in 2021 should be an encouraging sign for Alabama fruit producers who need chilling hours to make a crop this year. “I’m a little more encouraged,” said Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “We did accumulate more and more than we originally thought by the end …
Friday Deadline for Alabama Farmers Following Zeta
The deadline is Friday for Alabama vegetable and specialty crop farmers seeking financial assistance from Hurricane Zeta. Producers who suffered losses related to Hurricane Zeta need to submit an application to the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation for assistance from a Hurricane Relief Fund by this week. According to the alfafarmers.org, the relief fund is designed to help offset farmer losses …
Southeast Agriculture Well Represented on House Ag Committee
Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., believes the 117th Congress yields a positive outlook for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Prominent Georgians are represented on the House Ag Committee. The committee is empowered with legislative oversight relating to the U.S. agriculture industry, forestry, nutrition …
Peach Varieties Susceptible to Bacterial Spot Disease
Susceptible peach varieties make bacterial spot disease a problem that continues to linger for growers in the Southeast. That was a message that Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, presented during last week’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. “A lot of the varieties that people really want the fruit from are susceptible. Unfortunately, that’s the reality. …
Latest Pecan Prices
According to the USDA Federal-State Market News Service, pecan prices remain low throughout Georgia. Growers are picking up what is left in the orchards and bringing in what they have not put into cold storage. Rain and wet orchards have left some areas with excess moisture and damage from rot. Growers are working those lots harder to clean them out …
Alabama Irrigation Questionnaires Due Jan. 31
The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) continues to encourage producers who performed agriculture irrigation upgrades in the 2020 calendar year to complete the required irrigation questionnaire. While ADAI is responsible for collecting completed irrigation questionnaires from producers seeking a tax credit in 2020, the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) will issue any irrigation tax credits to eligible applicants. …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Morale is Really Low Right Now
The pecan harvest season is in the books. When farmers and industry experts reflect on the 2020 season, what will be the story? Will it be an overwhelming crop that produced record yields for some farmers? Or will it be the low market prices that discouraged producers and forced many to store this year’s crop? University of Georgia Cooperative Extension …
Natural Habitat for Birds, Safe Produce Co-exist?
With an interest in wildlife while possessing an expertise in food safety, Kristin Woods is concerned about risks bird populations have on fruit and vegetable production in the Southeast. “It is possible to do both, have safe produce and maintain habitat for birds and other wildlife. But it really is an area we need more research in to know how …
Know What Sanitizers to Use and How to Apply Them
In the age of COVID-19, sanitizer applications are essential for producers to keep their workforce healthy. Laurel Dunn, Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia, offers several guidelines for using sanitizers and other cleaning products in facilities where vegetable and specialty crops are cleaned and packaged. Not All Sanitizers are Appropriate The …