By Clint Thompson Yield and quality remain at the forefront of Vance Whitaker’s focus as University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder. But not far behind is Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. “We always have to pay attention to yield and quality, but we’re definitely shifting a lot of effort toward it for sure,” Whitaker said. “It certainly has leapfrogged, probably most traits, at …
Good Weather Contributes to Successful Vidalia Onion Season
By Clint Thompson A successful Vidalia onion season is nearing an end for producers in Southeast Georgia. Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, said his farm’s production should end between May 15-18, depending on how much rain the region receives this week and slows down harvests. Ironically, the lack of rain has helped producers enjoy …
Insecticide Resistance a Concern Against Diamondback Moths
By Clint Thompson Diamondback moths are a problem for Georgia vegetable producers. According to Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Vegetable Agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth Counties, the main concern is insecticide resistance. “I have periodically been taking samples, getting Stormy (Sparks) to come out and take samples of caterpillars. He’ll run a screen basically of all the …
Supply Shortage: ‘It’s Going to Get a Whole Lot Worse Before it Gets Better’
By Clint Thompson One Florida farmer dodged the supply shortage that’s running rampant across the vegetable industry. But the fall season is not that far away for Wade Purvis, who farms in Immokalee, Florida and is part of the Farmers Alliance. “I know guys that are literally buying sawmills and going out in the woods, cutting logs and starting to …
Waiting for Watermelons: North Florida, South Georgia Crop Delayed by Weather
By Clint Thompson A delay in harvest for North Florida watermelons would normally spell doom for producers in that region hoping to avoid a collision course with South Georgia producers. But that’s not the case this year. Branford, Florida producer Laura Land said most producers are expecting to harvest at least week than they normally would, due to cooler temperatures. …
Georgia Apple Production Hit Hard by April Cold Snap
By Clint Thompson A late cold snap in April is likely to have a devastating impact on fruit crops in north Georgia. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, says the apple, peach and grape crops were hit hard by sub-freezing temperatures, especially in Northwest Georgia. “In north Georgia, apples, that last cold was just devastating. It’s …
Georgia Farmer: Labor Shortage to Have Snowball Effect
By Clint Thompson Agriculture is not immune to the labor shortage epidemic in America. Farmers are struggling to obtain essential items that they once took for granted; pallets to ship the produce on; boxes to put the produce in; drivers to transport the produce. All can be attributed to the lack of a workforce, says South Georgia vegetable farmer Ricky …
Immigration Reform: ‘Agriculture Needs a Seat at the Table’
By Clint Thompson The H-2A program remains essential to agriculture’s future. With little to zero domestic options available to work in vegetable and specialty crop fields, Southeast farmers have no other alternative but to utilize the workforce program. But its needs adjusting. It’s a cumbersome process, says Florida farmer Matt Parke. “It needs to be simplified. It is just the …
USDA 2020 Summary: Georgia Pecan Crop Yields 147.5 Million Pounds
The quantity was there to make Georgia’s 2020 pecan crop one of its best. However, the prices that farmers received per pound were well below average, as evidenced by the USDA Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2020 summary. Georgia produced 147.5 million pounds in 2020; more than double its output in 2019 (73 million) and in 2018 (70 million). The value …
Georgia Producer: Growing Hemp is Not an Easy Process
By Clint Thompson Growing hemp is not for the faint of heart. It’s expensive and labor intensive. The market bottomed out last year with excess production. For those Georgia producers growing hemp for the first time this spring, they best be ready for long, unpredictable days, believes Dougherty County hemp producer Harris Morgan. “Growing hemp is not an easy process. …