By Clint Thompson The annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is just days away in Savannah, Georgia. While regular registration ends Tuesday, Jan. 7, on-site registration will still be available from Jan. 9-11. The yearly conference caters to fruit and vegetable production in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. The production seminars, scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, will …
Warm Winter Temperatures Not Favorable for Peach Insects
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures this winter would be a positive development for the region’s peach producers, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It would help manage the pest populations, including borers and stink bugs; any insect that overwinters. “If there’s not food when they’re going into their overwintering, …
Georgia’s Defense Against Spotted Lanternfly: Documentation is Essential
By Clint Thompson The spotted lanternfly is currently not in a Georgia county that’s heavy into grape production. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, wants to keep it that way. Part of Georgia grape producers’ defense against the invasive species is reporting it every time it is observed. Industry experts …
La Niña Weather Pattern Expected At Any Time
By Clint Thompson A weak La Niña weather pattern is expected any time now, according to a University of Georgia Climate Blog post from Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. She said the predictions are from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. “The conditions are there, but they’re just not quite strong enough. One of the things about La …
Disaster Relief Assistance Response Much Quicker This Time Around
By Clint Thompson Disaster relief assistance took too long for Southeast growers impacted by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) ensured his farmers that history would not repeat itself following Hurricane Helene, which moved through the region on Sept. 26-27. Ossoff’s bipartisan push helped spur the Senate to pass legislation last weekend that included $21 billion agricultural disaster …
Spotted Lanternfly a Concern for Southeast Grape Producers
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s recent revelation that the spotted lanternfly has been observed in Georgia should have the Southeast region’s grape producers on high alert. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discussed the insect’s potential threat to the grape industry. “Unlike the brown marmorated stink bug, …
Chill Hour Update: Low Temperatures Helping Georgia Peach Producers
By Clint Thompson Chill hours in Georgia are ahead of where they were last year at this point in the season. That’s positive news for the state’s peach producers who need cooler temperatures to make next year’s crop. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Byron, Georgia, received 241.5 chill hours from Nov. 10 to Dec. 16, compared to …
UGA Advice: Georgia Strawberry Growers Should Maintain Good Fungicide Program
By Clint Thompson Disease buildup is starting to concern Georgia’s strawberry growers; one disease in particular. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, discussed Neopestalotiopsis and its impact already amid the current growing season. “We are starting to see some (diseases) here and there. The one that’s coming up again is this Neopestalotiopsis, but so far …
AEWR Increases Renews Pleas for Transparency
By Clint Thompson Next year’s increases of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is further evidence transparency is needed from the Department of Labor about how it justifies substantial pay increases for H-2A workers. Georgia and Alabama are experiencing 9% increases to $16.08, while Florida’s new AEWR is estimated to be $16.23, a 10% increase from the $14.77 rate in …
Helene Impact: Georgia Vidalia Onion Farmers Suffered Plant Loss
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion industry was not immune to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene when it moved through the region in late September. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, said plant stands were impacted; especially those planted right before the storm’s arrival on …


















