Citrus production in the 2020-21 season dipped in California, Florida, Texas and Arizona compared to the previous season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) recently reported that total U.S. output of 6.9 million tons of citrus was down 12% from 2019-20. Florida Florida’s total utilized production was down 21%. Oranges were off 22% and grapefruit dipped …
GFVGA to Offer Labor Forum
By Clint Thompson One of the main topics impacting Georgia fruit and vegetable producers will be the focus of a two-day forum in Tifton, Georgia on Nov. 9-10. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will present the annual Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center the second week of November. The …
GFVGA Set to Host Webinar
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will host a webinar on Tuesday, Sept. 28 that addresses rising input costs in an uncertain economy. From pallets to chemicals, input costs have increased by as much as 25%. Which asks the question, how can growers compete? A panel discussion that includes Jeffrey Dorfman, University of Georgia economist; …
Will Pecans Be Ready for Chinese New Year?
By Clint Thompson A delay in pecan production this year could have a ripple effect that costs growers the opportunity to take advantage of the exports market to China. There is renewed optimism from Southeast producers about this year’s harvest season. It stems largely from the fact that China has increased its interest in purchasing U.S. pecans. However, supply may …
UGA Plant Molecular Diagnostic Lab Offers Free Sampling for Citrus Greening
By Clint Thompson The University of Georgia (UGA) Plant Molecular Diagnostic Lab is a key resource for Georgia citrus growers hoping to stay sustainable. The lab is located on the UGA Tifton Campus. While it is a fee-based service lab for the UGA Department of Plant Pathology, it provides free testing for citrus producers concerned about citrus greening, says Jonathan …
Alabama Extension Provides Tips for Controlling Pestalotia in Strawberries
Alabama Extension provides tips to strawberry growers looking to protect their crops this year against Pestalotia, a leaf spot and fruit rot disease caused by the fungus Neopestalotiopsis. The disease that has recently wreaked havoc on strawberry producers in Florida and Georgia is a threat to Alabama strawberries. It affects the plant roots, crown, leaves and fruit and eventually leads …
Watermelons Produce Sweet Results for North Georgia Farmer
By Clint Thompson Drew Echols’ north Georgia experiment with late-season watermelons produced sweet results. If not for excessive rains, it could have been a lot sweeter. “We went pretty hard for a couple of weeks, and then probably with about a third of the crop left, we got about seven inches of rain in about a day and a half …
All Things Considering: Georgia Pecan Crop Good Amid High Scab Disease Pressure
By Clint Thompson The earliest pecan varieties are a couple of weeks away from harvest. As Georgia growers and industry leaders take stock of this year’s crop, fortunately, it is not as bad as it could have been, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “It’s certainly worse than we’d like it to be. Really, considering all …
USDA NASS to Issue Pecan Survey
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will soon be sending pecan producers a survey to forecast pecan production for the upcoming season. Growers will have the option to respond to the survey online. Producers who have not responded by Sept. 29 will be contacted for a telephone interview by a NASS representative. Survey results will be published on Oct. …
Georgia Pecan Producer: Spray Like We’re Going to Have Terrible Scab Every Year
By Clint Thompson It was better safe than sorry for one Georgia pecan producer. In a year filled with wet weather, scab disease has been a major problem for pecan farmers. But Eric Cohen was prepared and is expected to reap the fruits of his labor during harvest season. “I’ve been real fortunate. I’ve been on an intensive spray program,” …