By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers are always at risk for natural disasters in the Southeast. Especially in the late summer and early fall when conditions are ripe for a potential hurricane or severe thunderstorm, growers need to be prepared. Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist, discusses the importance of government-assistance programs. “I think in particular in this area we experience …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Crops are generally looking good in the area. Strawberries are coming to harvest with good volumes. Keep scouting for spider mites and thrips. Thrips were found late last week in low numbers. …
March Freeze Wipes Out Georgia Farmer’s Greens Production
By Clint Thompson The mid-March freeze and subsequent rain events continue to wreak havoc on South Georgia specialty crop producers. Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, said the sub-freezing temperatures devastated his vegetable greens production. “It’s pretty tough right now. We’ve got a lot of damage from that cold weather on all of the greens,” …
Fungicides to Manage Cercospora Leaf Spot on Beets
Cercospora leaf spot disease, the most damaging disease on beet greens and bunch beets, can be managed just as equally with either conventional or organic fungicides, according to The South Carolina Grower, Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath. Based on previous research in New York with processing beets, Keinath evaluated the best conventional program – Tilt alternated with Quadris – and …
Reminder: Specialty Crop Block Grants Deadline is April 12
Commodity groups, agricultural organizations, colleges and universities, municipalities, state agencies and agricultural nonprofits are reminded that the deadline for the specialty crop block grants through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is April 12 at 5 p.m. CST. The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is accepting Specialty Crop Block Grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness …
Sneak Peek: April 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
By Clint Thompson The April issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights watermelon production. It looks at the current trends and the future of anthracnose disease while also spotlighting new viruses to watch for in watermelons and other cucurbit crops. Severe anthracnose outbreaks have occurred in cucurbit-growing counties along the East coast, including in Florida and Georgia. University of Georgia …
Keeping You Informed: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “The first of this season’s strawberries are coming to market with good quality. Growers still need to be very mindful that spider mites populations are around in the area but are variable. …
Oversaturated Soils Delaying Specialty Crop Plantings in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains and oversaturated soils have delayed plantings for some specialty crops in North Alabama. “A lot of rainfall is delaying planting dates. Like (Monday), I visited a couple of growers in central to North Alabama and they were saying, ‘We have all of our seedlings ready for transplants, but our soils are too wet,” said Andre …
Mite-y Big Concern: Mites a Problem for South Florida Producers
Mites are widely present in crops across the South Florida region, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Spider mites have increased in cucurbits, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and potatoes around Southwest Florida. Some fields have even required treatments by farmers. Spider mite populations are also high in some cucumber, pepper, tomato and eggplant in fields on the east …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Dr. Matt Cutulle reports, “I saw my first nutsedge plants this year pop up in the plastic mulch of a fellow researcher’s trial last week in Charleston. Soil temperatures in plastic mulch systems are going …