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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Georgia”
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers and industry leaders that have not registered for the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference are reminded that the deadline for regular registration ends Jan. 9. The annual event, scheduled for Jan. 11-14, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia, attracts growers and industry experts from Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas. Educational sessions focus on …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers rely on industry supporters like Will Bentley, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, to be a voice at the state and federal levels. It is a responsibility that Bentley does not take lightly. “For us at the Agribusiness Council, we feel like our role is to take that fight to the capitol; whether that’s …
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) bell pepper research centered on phytophthora resistance is a focus of Ted McAvoy’s studies on the UGA Tifton campus. The UGA Extension vegetable specialist explains that resistant varieties exist but in other parts of the country not suited for South Georgia producers. He hopes to change that. “Phytophthora is the No. 1 soil-borne …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers and farming operations should be prepared for strict heat regulations that loom on the horizon, according to Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Butts stresses the importance of producers having plans in place for how to prevent heat illness and how to treat it. They would be …
By Clint Thompson Pecan prices were less than desirable for Southeast producers. But they could have been a lot worse, explains Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. He said prices, while low, have stayed steady throughout the harvest season. It is mainly due to China being a buyer again this year. “This year we haven’t seen a …
By Clint Thompson A newer pesticide called Nurizma could be a potential replacement for chlorpyrifos. But vegetable producers should be wary that it is labeled only for an in-furrow application, says Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “We did a lot of work with it foliarly, and it’s a really good product as a foliar. But …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers are free to use chlorpyrifos again. The concern now is its lack of availability. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to revoke tolerances of chlorpyrifos (lorsban) on food crops. However, many of the main manufacturers stopped making chlorpyrifos, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) …
By Clint Thompson The idea that an adversarial country owning land in Georgia is unacceptable to Tyler Harper, Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner. He hopes to take steps next year in ensuring countries like China and Russia are unable to purchase land in the state. “It’s important that we protect agricultural land in Georgia for producers in Georgia and those that are …
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests are nearing an end in Georgia. This year’s harvest season is concluding quicker than normal, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He estimated that 90% of the crop has been harvested. “Probably those that are not finished are about to wrap up their second harvest, or either they waited until they …
By Clint Thompson Automation could be the key to a specialty crop producer remaining sustainable. The more tasks that artificial intelligence (AI) can perform on the farm, the fewer responsibilities that would be needed via the H-2A program. But the reality of an automated harvester being made available on a commercial scale for all growers may present more of a …
