Ag Secretary Testimony: Application Portal for Disaster Relief to Open Soon

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop farmers can expect the portal to apply for federal disaster relief assistance to open in the next couple of weeks, no later than the end of the month. That is according to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who testified before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and …

Georgia Strawberry Production Perseveres Despite Neopestalotiopsis

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis disease has been problematic in some Georgia strawberry farms this year. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, was not immune to the disease’s impact in North Georgia. However, he has a better outlook on this year’s crop compared to earlier in the season. “I’ve got too many gaps in the field. But the …

Grand Farm Groundbreaking: UGA Perry Site to House Innovative Research

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The groundbreaking for the University of Georgia (UGA) Grand Farm was held on Friday in Perry, Georgia. Located adjacent to the Perry Fairgrounds, the 250-acre research site will serve as a breeding ground for ag innovation. Ag research, representing row crop commodities to specialty crops, and companies from across the world, will help put Georgia on the …

Peach Insect Pests to Watch Out For

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Peach harvest season is just a few weeks away for Southeast growers. But before producers start picking this year’s crop, they need to be managing this season’s insect pests. Two come to mind, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “Now that we are really in the …

Warmer, Wetter Conditions Expected in Early Summer

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Early weather projections indicate a summer pattern that shows warmer and wetter conditions than normal. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, noted in the UGA Extension Climate Blog that, “the early summer pattern does show a continuation of warmer than normal temperatures due to the influence of rising temperatures caused by global warming, but rainfall is showing …

Dry Weather Preferred for Georgia Watermelon Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson South Georgia’s dry weather conditions are not a bad thing for the region’s watermelon production. In fact, it is what specialty crop producers prefer. They want to be the ones applying the water, says Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. “As far as vegetables go for sure, we’d …

Westward Bound: Georgia Citrus Association Learns New Varieties in Trip to California

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson and Nick Papagni The Georgia Citrus Association’s trip to California last week allowed the state’s industry leaders to look for opportunities to advance citrus in the cold-hardy citrus region. One of the focuses was learning about the different varieties produced in California that could have a potential future in the Southeast. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the …

Georgia Pecan Grower: No. 1 Issue is Capital

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson The grower panel at this year’s Georgia Pecan Growers Association meeting in March allowed the state’s producers to address trending issues like low prices and potential export markets like India. One of the main topics highlighted were current concerns felt by growers. Low prices were one, and the lack of working capital was another. It was addressed …

Vidalia Onion Harvests Underway Following Weather Challenges

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Harvest season is well underway for Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop. Vidalia onion producers encountered numerous weather challenges this year leading up to harvest season. Shane Curry, executive director of the Vidalia Onion Committee, discussed those challenges, which included Hurricane Helene last fall and the historic snowfall in January. “Everything looks good as of right now. We were …

EPA’s Uncertain Future Will Impact Mancozeb’s Availability for Southeast Grape Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson A reduction in force could mean a delay in action by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with regards to mancozeb use in grapes. The Trump administration has stated in the past its intent to fire more than 1,000 scientists in the EPA’s research arm. That could significantly impact its ability to follow through on items that are …