By Clint Thompson The Georgia/Florida Irrigation Expo is slated for Wednesday, June 10 at the University of Georgia (UGA) Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. The UGA and University of Florida (UF) Extension Services are partnering with local RC&D councils and Soil & Water Conservation Districts to host the expo with a focus on irrigation. Cale Cloud, …
Drought Monitor Update: Not Much Improvement in Southeast
The May 14 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows exceptional drought and extreme drought conditions still prevalent across areas in the Southeast. The driest area remains in South Georgia, North Florida and Southeast Alabama. Georgia Exceptional drought in Georgia starts in the southwest corner of the state in Decatur County. It expands eastward to Charlton and Camden counties and …
Sen. Ossoff Introducing Legislation to Cut Taxes for Farmers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to cut taxes for Georgia farmers. Sen. Ossoff introduced the Farm Disaster Tax Cut Act this week to provide eligible farmers with a tax cut after natural disasters, revenue losses or pest outbreaks. The bill would exclude crop insurance indemnity payments, which are made to farmers after they face qualified …
Rep. Austin Scott Leads House Letter Urging Action on Mexican Specialty Crop Imports
Washington, D.C— U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) led a bipartisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer this week to emphasize the importance of fair trade measures for the U.S. specialty crop industry. “America’s growers and producers are the best in the world. Current …
Marketing Pecans: Focus on Establishing Nut’s Importance for Year-Round Consumption
By Clint Thompson Pecans are a staple during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. One industry expert believes they can be an important part of Americans’ diets year-round. That will be key in ensuring pecans remain a sustainable crop for growers in the Southeast region, according to Serena Schaffner, chief marketing officer for American Pecan Council and American Pecan Promotion Board. …
UGA Research: Scab Disease Remains Focus of Pecan Breeding
By Clint Thompson The focus on scab disease remains a vital part of pecan breeding research at the University of Georgia (UGA), says UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner. He discussed the ‘Golding’ variety at this year’s Georgia Pecan Growers Association Conference in Perry, Georgia. Golding has good scab resistance. “Scab is a primary determinant of whether a selection will be …
Technologies in Action: Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference Held at UGA
By Clint Thompson The potential future of specialty crop production was on display this week at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. UGA hosted the Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference & Show on Tuesday and Wednesday. It attracted ag companies featuring technologies on the market and those still in the production phase. Luan Oliveira, …
Spicing Up Georgia Agriculture: Ginger, Turmeric Potential New Crops for State’s Farmers
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s vegetable growers are in need of non-traditional crops to supplement their normal farming operations. Ginger and turmeric are two specialty crops that could help producers remain sustainable. University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta said consumers are more aware of where their food comes from, desiring fresh, locally grown ingredients. Ginger and turmeric fit …
UGA Peach Disease Specialist: Don’t Let Your Guard Down
By Clint Thompson Peach diseases have been mostly non-existent so far this year for Southeast growers; attributed to the prolonged drought. But there’s still time for this year’s crop to be impacted by certain diseases, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “If it starts raining, we’ll still have potential for disease. It will probably …
Marketing Assistance Loans Program a Possibility for Pecan?
By Clint Thompson Pecan industry leaders are currently discussing the possibility of the industry enrolling in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) Program. The program is administered by the Farm Service Agency and offers loans to farmers of eligible commodities to help manage cash flow needs and provide marketing flexibility. Georgia grower Justin Jones was part …



















