Category Archive

By Clint Thompson It is the holiday season which means the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is just around the corner. Next year’s conference, which attracts producers and industry specialists from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and the Carolinas, will be held in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 8-10, 2026. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers …

By Clint Thompson Okra research remains a focus for scientists at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; more specifically, direct seed versus transplant. Ted McAvoy, UGA Extension vegetable specialist, highlighted the research in an interview with AgNet Media. McAvoy recommends transplanting, which provides multiple benefits for vegetable growers. “The historic method has been direct seed, …

By Clint Thompson Diamide insecticide resistance in beet armyworms has been reported in Georgia and detected in multiple locations. While it is not yet known how widespread the resistance is, growers should abstain from duplicating chemical applications if they do not achieve initial control, says Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “If they’ve got a product …

By Clint Thompson The lack of effective fungicide options targeting choanephora rot makes the disease a growing problem for pepper growers, according to University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta. “We have not found any effective fungicides that can control choanephora. The only fungicides that have shown some promise, I would say that’s Miravis Prime. But if you …

By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) management has taken center stage in recent years for Southeast strawberry growers. Producers must still be mindful of other disease issues that could arise this production season. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, highlighted phytophthora during an interview with AgNet Media. “We’ve gotten so concentrated on Neopestalotiopsis, we forget about …

By Clint Thompson One group, one shared message. That is what makes a 38-group coalition, including the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), stand out. It continues its unified pursuit for a fair and reasonable adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) within the H-2A. “There’s so much good work going on in this space by various groups across the industry, …

By Clint Thompson Vegetable producers and cotton growers are anxiously playing the waiting game with regards to the cotton jassid. If and when the new insect threat arrives this spring could have a ripple effect on growers’ management plans. Producers controlled the jassid last fall with sprays they were already applying for whiteflies. Growers usually do not apply insecticides for …

By Clint Thompson The end of this year’s tropical season officially ended on Nov. 30. It marked the end to an unexpectedly quiet season for Southeast producers who, thankfully, did not have to brace for a tropical storm or hurricane. It was a surprising development, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “I’m a little bit surprised …

By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan producers are nearing an end to a frustrating harvest season. Yields did not match growers’ expectations. Neither did market prices. It added up to another frustrating season, says Mary Bruorton, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association (GPGA). “We are nearing the end of it. Some growers could be done in the next week …