By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is helping host an issue briefing and roundtable in Washington D.C. on Feb. 24. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, discussed the meeting’s importance and its message. “We’ll have growers and representatives from 39 organizations and nine states that now make up the …
Thiram Shortage in Strawberry Production
By Clint Thompson Southeast strawberry growers should be mindful that there appears to be a shortage of Thiram this spring. This is according to a blog post made by Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. He confirmed the news after consulting with Natalia Peres, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of …
Extreme Drought Expanding in South Georgia, North Florida
By Clint Thompson The Feb. 12 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows extreme drought conditions expanding in South Georgia and North Florida and in parts of Alabama. Florida Extreme conditions in North Florida stretch from Washington and Jackson counties in the Panhandle, eastward to Duvall, Saint Johns and Flagler counties and as far south as Citrus and Sumter counties. …
Postfreeze Psyllid Populations Reduced
Southeast citrus growers hoping that the Feb. 1 freeze would wipe out the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) population are going to be disappointed. “What we do know about freezes is a lot of time they will reduce or delay the buildup of many of the populations of pests that we worry about,” said Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of …
Chilli Thrips Impact Blueberries Post-Harvest
By Clint Thompson Blueberry growers managing the threat of chilli thrips are protecting next year’s crop. That’s because the insect’s impact is usually seen after harvests have concluded. That’s part of the message that Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, conveyed to producers about the threat of chilli thrips during a presentation at the 2026 Annual Blueberry Update in …
Pecan Recap: East Georgia Struggles; Hit and Miss In Other Places
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests have concluded. Some growers fared better than others. East Georgia producers struggled the most, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “Certainly, east Georgia, I think, was really light. I’ve heard from others, further to the west, it’s hit and miss. It seems to be people that have a lot of young trees …
Looking Ahead: What to Expect in an El Niño
By Clint Thompson The current weak La Niña weather pattern is forecast to be transitioning to neutral conditions during the Jan.-March timeframe. It should linger through the summer before giving way to an El Niño weather pattern. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, highlighted what that transition means for the Southeast with respect to potential tropical systems and …
Industry Leader: AEWR Had Adverse Effect on American Producers
By Clint Thompson The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) was designed to avoid having an adverse effect on American farmers. That has not been the case, however. It’s a message that those in the agricultural industry voiced to legislative leaders amid spiraling AEWR wages used to pay workers in the H-2A program. It ultimately led the Department of Labor to …
Georgia Citrus Grower Optimistic After Freeze
A South Georgia citrus producer is upbeat after last weekend’s winter storm, which brought plunging temperatures and blistery wind conditions, threatened his grove. Jaime Patrick of Patrick Farms in Omega admitted it would still be a few days before he had a clearer view of the overall impact from the freeze. But he is optimistic. “It’s going to take us …
UGA Extension Hosting Pecan Meetings
By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) Extension is currently hosting its annual pecan meetings, which follow last season’s harvests. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed what UGA experts are highlighting during the meetings held at various pecan-producing counties across South Georgia. “We’ll be talking about what happened last year. We’ll be talking some about the normal …



















