2022 Hurricane Season off to Slow Start, but Keep Your Guard Up

Web AdminCitrus, Fruits, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

By Frank Giles The main hurricane prognosticators both predicted the 2022 season would be above normal. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted 20 named storms. Colorado State University also predicted an above normal season with 19 named storms. But, so far, this hurricane season has been slow. In fact, for the first time since 1997, the month of August …

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Lays Out Priorities

Web AdminCitrus, Fruits, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has released its statement of principles for consideration of the 2023 farm bill. The SCFBA was established to advocate for broad-based farm bill policy initiatives to address the unique …

The Road to Ramping Up More Truck Drivers

Web AdminCitrus, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

By Frank Giles Alix Miller, president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, told attendees of the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo held in August in North Fort Myers, Florida, that the trucking industry in Florida and nationally has a problem. Supply chain disruptions and clogged ports spurred by COVID-19 made logistical challenges more apparent to the public, but Miller …

GFVGA Executive Vice President: Price Challenges are Still There

Web AdminSpecialty Crops

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s specialty crop producers are in the process of planting this year’s fall crops. It comes on the heels of one of the most challenging spring/summer seasons they have ever experienced. The changing weather patterns of persistent rains to hot and dry conditions were a small part of this year’s challenge. The biggest hurdle remains diminished market …

Understanding Fumigation and its Benefits

Web AdminSpecialty Crops

By Clint Thompson A better understanding of fumigation would allow specialty crop producers a better chance to succeed with their upcoming production season. Different products accomplish different objectives, says Nathan Boyd, University of Florida (UF) associate center director and professor of horticulture/weed science at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. If they are used in combination with each other, …

Recent Rains Could Delay Fumigation Process

Web AdminFumigation, Specialty Crops, Weather

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall across the Southeast in recent weeks could delay fumigation progress from specialty crop farmers preparing to plant their fall crops. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses how heavy rain events could keep producers from getting into their fields at a key point in the season. …

Building a More Heat Tolerant Plant Starts with Genes

Web AdminResearch, Specialty Crops, Weather

Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are looking for ways to help specialty crops beat the heat. A new study has identified genes that may help plants cope with stress from high temperatures. It could set the stage for developing crops bred for enhanced heat tolerance, said Bala Rathinasabapathi, senior author of the …

Clemson Extension Provides Weekly Crop Updates

Web AdminGeneral, South Carolina, Specialty Crops

Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 7/25/22 Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “In a wide range of crops, insect and disease pressure is high, with gummy stem blight across all cucurbit crops. Downy mildew is also very active. Fruit …

AFBF Asks for USDA Help with Fertilizer Supplies

Web AdminSpecialty Crops

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take steps to ensure America’s farmers continue to have access to fertilizer supplies. AFBF submitted comments on USDA’s “Request for Information on Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns.” AFBF outlined various factors that have combined to create shortages and increase fertilizer costs including …

Clemson Extension Provides Weekly Crop Updates

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Specialty Crops

Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various specialty crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath reports, “With the wet weather the past two weeks, gummy stem blight is spreading rapidly on watermelon. Because of widespread resistance to tebuconazole and the need for systemic fungicides, growers …