By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable growers should be aware that access to workers in the H-2A program is being delayed. John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, acknowledged that H-2A processing delays are currently being experienced. “What we’re seeing are some challenges with the program and getting folks in on a timely manner,” Hollay …
Drought Monitor Update: Conditions Not Improving
By Clint Thompson Drought conditions did not improve over the past week. In fact, conditions only worsened across most of the Southeast region, according to the March 26 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida The driest part of Florida remains in the northern and southern regions of the state. Exceptional drought has expanded in North Florida to include Calhoun, …
Plant Source Remains Best Management Tactic for Strawberry Growers Against Neo
By Clint Thompson Plant source remains the best way for Southeast strawberry producers to manage neopestalotiopsis (Neo). Growers who obtained plants from nurseries with histories of Neo contamination have observed the disease this year. Those producers who got plants from disease-free nurseries out west have enjoyed Neo-free production seasons, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease …
Cold Temperatures’ Impact on North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson Cold temperatures last week had an adverse effect on recently-planted watermelon plants in North Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region. Growers are determining how to best help their young plants recover. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided advice for producers who are making chemical …
Scouting, Early Detection Key to Watermelon Disease Management
By Clint Thompson Scouting and correct diagnosis of diseases will be key steps in North Florida watermelon growers managing this year’s crop. Because watermelons can be impacted by a plethora of diseases, producers to know exactly what they’re dealing with and apply appropriate fungicides as quickly as possible. That’s the message shared by Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of …
Southeast Alabama Strawberry Producers ‘Cautiously Optimistic’
By Clint Thompson Strawberries are nearing harvest season in Southeast Alabama. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, provided an update on the current season and what growers are doing now in preparations for harvest time. “What we’re trying to do right now is stick all of our blooms from this point forward. We start at the middle …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Ag Interests Eye Truck Driver Rules
By Frank Giles Recent high-profile stories of tragic accidents involving truck drivers who are not citizens of the United States have heated up the immigration debate. In August, a truck driver made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike resulting in an accident that took three people’s lives. The driver obtained a commercial driver’s license in California and Washington, despite having …
Diversification Taking Root in Georgia Citrus
The Georgia Citrus Association celebrated its 10th anniversary at its recent annual meeting. Much has changed in the industry over the past decade, specifically how growers have diversified their production to include more than just satsuma mandarins. “The industry was initially built on satsumas, being that they’re cold hardy, so that is still the majority of the varieties in Georgia,” …
Kula Bio Launches New Soluble Powder Products
Kula Bio has announced the commercial launch of Kula-N and Kula-Next, which are two shelf-stable, soluble powders that deliver efficient nitrogen-fixing bacteria directly to the root zone. Kula Bio’s soluble powder product line builds on the agronomic performance of its liquid formulations introduced in 2024, translating that success into a dry, soluble powder engineered to simplify operations, eliminate cold storage …
Freeze Impact: Florida Blueberry Growers Assessing Damage
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry farmers are busy assessing damage sustained from last weekend’s winter storm. While it may not be for some time that growers get a clear picture of how much damage occurred from low temperatures and high winds, it is certain that there was impact. That is according to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food …



















