By Clint Thompson Mexico has its advantages over U.S. growers in tomato production. Wages are much lower. Government subsidies help support Mexican producers being able to ask for low market prices. But technological advancements and consumer awareness may be the game changers that help Florida producers survive this onslaught of tomato imports that have only increased over the past decade, …
All Things Considering: Georgia Pecan Crop Good Amid High Scab Disease Pressure
By Clint Thompson The earliest pecan varieties are a couple of weeks away from harvest. As Georgia growers and industry leaders take stock of this year’s crop, fortunately, it is not as bad as it could have been, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “It’s certainly worse than we’d like it to be. Really, considering all …
USDA NASS to Issue Pecan Survey
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will soon be sending pecan producers a survey to forecast pecan production for the upcoming season. Growers will have the option to respond to the survey online. Producers who have not responded by Sept. 29 will be contacted for a telephone interview by a NASS representative. Survey results will be published on Oct. …
Valor Watermelon: Syngenta Variety Pays Tribute to Veterans
By Clint Thompson Syngenta’s newest watermelon variety pays tribute to veterans while providing growers a product for the upcoming season with some disease resistance. Valor should quickly become a highly sought-after variety for growers in the Southeast. It has a dark red, crispy flesh with a rind thickness that allows it to be transported from farm to the market without …
FFVA Convention: Timely Issues at Forefront of Three-Day Event
By Clint Thompson This week’s Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) convention was filled with timely topics and educational insight into how to help the vegetable and specialty crop growers remain sustainable. Maybe most importantly, though, it was three days of reunion with friends and colleagues within the industry, says Mike Joyner, FFVA President. “People are just so ready to …
Fumigation a StopGap Measure for Fusarium Wilt, Nematodes in Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson Fumigation remains a key component of a Florida tomato grower’s management program for nematodes and fusarium wilt disease. It is just not the silver bullet. Gary Vallad, professor of Plant Pathology at the UF/IFAS GCREC, stresses that fumigation programs that producers implement are just a stopgap measure until resistant varieties are developed. “This is something we’ve been …
Lingering Impact: Pecan Production in Two Alabama Counties Remains Low Following Hurricanes Sally and Zeta
By Clint Thompson The impact from a pair of devastating hurricanes that wiped out pecan production in two Alabama counties last year is still being felt today. Bryan Wilkins, Alabama Extension Research Associate, discusses what percentage of this year’s pecan crop should be expected in Baldwin and Mobile counties. “Baldwin and Mobile counties are pretty slack. Sally hit a year …
Georgia Pecan Producer: Spray Like We’re Going to Have Terrible Scab Every Year
By Clint Thompson It was better safe than sorry for one Georgia pecan producer. In a year filled with wet weather, scab disease has been a major problem for pecan farmers. But Eric Cohen was prepared and is expected to reap the fruits of his labor during harvest season. “I’ve been real fortunate. I’ve been on an intensive spray program,” …
Onion Growers Stay Vigilant Against Diseases
By Clint Thompson The management strategies for onion diseases remain the same for Georgia’s Vidalia onion growers heading into next season. Growers need to stay vigilant in their spray programs against fungal and bacteria diseases, says Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable disease specialist. “Onion is a six-month crop, and Vidalia onions are also stored for a few …
Asian Citrus Psyllid Management Key for Georgia Producers
By Clint Thompson The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is not yet well established in Georgia. University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist Jonathan Oliver wants to keep that way. The psyllid vectors citrus greening disease (HLB), which has decimated Florida’s citrus production. Oliver encourages producers to scout their orchards regularly to avoid a similar fate happening in …