A misconception between hemp and marijuana has Adam Rabinowitz concerned about how consumers view an up-and-coming agricultural commodity in the Southeast. Rabinowitz worked as an Extension economist at the University of Georgia before he moved to Alabama this summer to become an Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist. At UGA, Rabinowitz helped conduct a survey to gauge consumer knowledge …
Climate Outlook for the Southeast
University of Georgia Agricultural (UGA) Climatologist Pam Knox provided a climate outlook during a recent Georgia Citrus Update webinar. According to Knox, a strong La Niña is in place in the eastern Pacific Ocean, and the winds are now in sync with the ocean conditions. This signifies that La Niña is likely to continue through the winter months and into …
Citrus Advisory System Alerts Growers So They can Stem Post-Bloom Fruit Drop
October 22, 2020 By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu Beep. Beep. Beep. That’s the sound of the alert, telling a citrus grower it’s time to spray fungicide to help prevent fruit from falling off the tree. When the new fruit fall off a citrus tree, post-bloom fruit drop (PFD) can cause major losses for citrus growers. Infection of flowering citrus by the …
Harvesting and Storing Pecans This Fall
Posted by: Victoria Dee AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – According to Alabama Extension, as leaves begin to darken and pumpkins decorate every doorstep, pecans are ripe and ready for harvest as fall settles in in the Southeast. These nutritious nuts are members of the hickory family and grow on towering shade trees commonly found in yards, orchards and pastures throughout Alabama. …
South Georgia Farmer: Need to Buy Georgia Grown
One South Georgia farmer is hoping American consumers will buy more locally grown produce. After all, the future of the American farmer is at stake. Bill Brim, co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, implores consumers to truly consider who they’re buying their fruits and vegetables from. Not the retailer but the country of origin the blueberries and cucumbers …
Whiteflies Vary in Impact in Florida Vegetables This Fall
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whiteflies are varying in impact in vegetables in South and Central Florida. Around the Central Florida area, respondents report that whiteflies remain active in tomato and melons at mostly low numbers. Growers and scouts in Southwest Florida report that whitefly pressure has declined with recent rains. Scouts report finding mostly low …
Tomato Juice with UF/IFAS-Bred Garden Gem Pleases Palates
October 21, 2020 By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu Florida-grown tomatoes – particularly the UF/IFAS-bred Garden Gem – pack a tasty punch for tomato juice, new University of Florida research shows. By and large, the biggest market for Florida tomatoes remains food services. They’re not generally harvested for processed products, such as juice, paste and more. But they’re still fresh, whole tomatoes. …
N.C. Pecan Growers Expect Plentiful Crop
Contact: Dexter Hill, pecan marketing specialistNCDA&CS Marketing Division252-527-7125; dexter.hill@ncagr.gov RALEIGH – After several years of weather-related setbacks, North Carolina pecan growers are reporting a strong crop. That is welcome news for farmers such as Tim Haithcock, who has been growing pecans for over 25 years. “My trees have been heavy,” Haithcock said. “They are looking very, very good with plenty …
Alabama Hemp Growers Dealing With Low Quality Crop
Hemp harvest is under way in Alabama, but quality may not be what farmers had hoped for in their second year of production. It’s understandable, though, considering the challenges that producers dealt with during the growing season, says Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist. “It’s not fantastic. I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of good quality hemp …
UGA Research Aimed at Protecting Produce Packing Plants from Listeria
One University of Georgia (UGA) research project in 2021 will be aimed at protecting produce packing plants from Listeria, according to Francisco Diez, Director and Professor at the UGA Center for Food Safety in Griffin, Georgia. The lead investigator is Diez. The grant project is funded by the Center for Produce Safety and covers the entire 2021 year. His objective …