By Clint Thompson The ongoing labor dispute that shut down the Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway on Sunday could have a ripple effect down to the specialty crop sector in the Southeast. Andrew Walmsley, senior director for congressional relations at American Farm Bureau Federation, said the shutdown means approximately 140,000 barrels of oil are not being shipped out daily. Fertilizer shipments, …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Dr. Matt Cutulle reports, “I saw my first nutsedge plants this year pop up in the plastic mulch of a fellow researcher’s trial last week in Charleston. Soil temperatures in plastic mulch systems are going …
AFBF Pleads with President Biden to Increase Domestic Energy Production
Count the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) as one organization hoping to see an increase in domestic energy production. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sent a letter on Tuesday to President Joe Biden asking him to take the necessary steps to address high energy costs impacting all Americans. Over the past 15 months, oil prices have increased by 130% to more …
Building a Brand for Cold-Hardy Citrus
A new brand name for citrus grown in Georgia, North Florida and Alabama should ensure consumers they are purchasing a quality product. Much like Georgia Grown and Fresh From Florida, Sweet Valley Citrus assures consumers and industry members that citrus grown and marketed under this label is high-quality produce. Kyli Lamar, who serves on the board of directors for the Cold Hardy …
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. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Starting with strawberries, the development of plants is taking off with little in the way of disease pressure currently. Flower formation and fruit set are beginning. Keep monitoring crops for botrytis development …
AFBF Fearful Vaccination Mandate Could Impact H-2A Program
By Clint Thompson The mandate that all non-U.S individuals entering the United States show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will impact specialty crop producers hoping to get H-2A workers into the country in time for the spring crop. That’s the fear anyway shared by American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Congressional Relations Allison Crittendon. “I think it could cause …
Georgia Economist: Farmers Will Get Through This
By Clint Thompson The great author Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” in his famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities. The current state of affairs can best be described as challenging times for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Consider how input costs have skyrocketed since last spring; how labor availability …
Clemson Beginning Farmer Program Assisting Next Generation of Growers
By Clint Thompson South Carolina producers interested in enrolling in the Clemson Extension South Carolina New and Beginning Farmer Program (SCNBFP) have until Feb. 20 to apply. The program is designed to help growers with zero to 10 years of experience, who are just starting their business or need help accelerating their farming operation, says Ben Boyles, SCNBFP director and …
Sanitation, Documentation Key Management Strategies for Food Safety
By Clint Thompson Sometimes one bad apple can spoil a bunch. For a specialty crop producer, it can mean their livelihood. Proper sanitation and documentation are essential management practices to the long-term sustainability of a farming operation. Growers need to regularly clean their packinghouse equipment while maintaining adequate records. This can prevent the recall of a large amount of produce, …
Supply-Chain Woes Continue for Specialty Crop Growers
By Frank Giles One of the many ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant supply-chain disruptions that have impacted the global economy. Agriculture has not been immune to these delays in shipping and availability of key tools growers need to produce crops. At the same time, prices are going up nearly across the board on products and inputs …