By Clint Thompson The new University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable specialist in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is no stranger to the vegetable and specialty crop industry and the challenges it currently faces. That’s why Ted McAvoy should be a wealth of knowledge and experience for South Georgia producers. McAvoy joined UGA after working at Syngenta …
Georgia Hemp Licenses: New Producers/Processors Can Apply in January
Georgia hemp producers and processors who were licensed this year can now apply for a license for the 2022 season. The 2022 Georgia hemp grower license and processor permit window will reopen in January for all new applicants. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, believes hemp acreage will not increase next …
Alternative Approach: Grape Producers Use Mating Disruption Treatment for Pest
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to ban the use of chlorpyrifos (lorsban) means grape producers need an alternative treatment for grape root borers. According to the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Viticulture Blog, an effective treatment is pheromone-based mating disruption. The dispensers should be set out prior to the adult emergence of the borer. This is usually in …
Heat Standard Impact: Comment to OSHA Before Dec. 27
By Clint Thompson Potential rules protecting indoor and outdoor workers from hazardous heat could have significant ramifications for vegetable and specialty crop producers. Imagine 35-to-45-minute paid rest breaks every hour if the temperatures are high enough during the summer. Ellen Hendley, vice president at AgWorks H2, LLC, can’t fathom it, either. That’s why she encourages growers to be as vocal …
Pecan Production Could be Worse Than Originally Projected
By Clint Thompson Pecan production could be worse this year than previously projected across the Southeast. According to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan blog, UGA Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells estimates that Georgia’s production will not exceed 60 million pounds, and that number may fall even further, below 50 million pounds for the first time since 2006 when …
Georgia Farmer: It’s Not Sustainable Right Now
By Clint Thompson The recent spike in input costs has forced farmers to plead with their customers on renegotiating their current contracts. South Georgia vegetable farmer Jaime Patrick has implemented this strategy and seen mixed results. “Especially on contract business that we have, year by year contracts or multiple year contracts, we’re having to go back now and say, ‘Hey, …
Georgia Farmer: Not Going to Replace All These Truckers Overnight
By Clint Thompson One Georgia farmer believes there are changes that could be made to the current truck driving system that would attract more drivers. The first is reducing the minimum age required to drive on the roads, says Kent Hamilton, owner and CEO of Southern Valley in Norman Park, Georgia. “Some things I’ve heard is reducing the age requirement …
GFVGA Applauds Court’s Stay, Says Vaccine Mandate Brings More Uncertainty
By Clint Thompson Count the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) as one organization pleased with a federal appeals court ruling, granting an emergency stay against the new requirement by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that businesses with 100 or more workers be vaccinated. The Biden Administration attempted to curtail the COVID pandemic’s impact by implementing a …
Blueberry Referendum: Voters vote in Favor of U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
U.S. highbush blueberry producers and importers approved a national referendum that will continue the national research and promotion program. The referendum was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). In the referendum, 84% of those voting, which represented 93% of the volume of highbush blueberries, voted in favor of continuing the program. “Since joining the USHBC …
Georgia Vegetable Grower: Supply Chain Crisis a Strain That Will Get Worse
By Clint Thompson The current supply chain crisis is putting a strain on vegetable farmers in the Southeast. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. That’s the message that Jon Schwalls, Executive Officer at Southern Valley, sent to the U.S. House Ag Committee during testimony last week. Crop protection products that growers utilize and take for granted …