Vegetable crops are vulnerable to ant pressure this time of year. Alabama Extension encourages vegetable producers to implement management tactics as they begin planting this year’s crops. According to Alabama Extension, fire ants can protect aphids and other honeydew producers on vegetables, which makes their effects worse on the plants. Fire ants can also interfere with natural enemies. Ultimately, though, …
Vegetable Assessment: Georgia Growers Approve
Georgia vegetable growers have made their voices known: The Georgia Vegetable Commission marketing order has been extended for an additional three years. Producers overwhelmingly voted to extend the assessment of one cent per marketing unit by producers with more than 50 acres crops that include green beans, bell pepper, specialty pepper, carrots, broccoli, beets, eggplant, cabbage, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, cucumbers, …
Wacky Weather: Alabama Planting Season Nears Amid Excessive Rainfall, Drought
Planting season nears for Alabama vegetable producers. Once again, weather will play a key role as farmers prepare to plant this spring’s crops. Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist, implores producers to wait until soil temperatures increase above a certain level and stay that way for several days straight. That will be a better environment for seed to germinate and …
What’s Next? Georgia Producer Concerned About Future of American Farmer
Georgia vegetable producer Sam Watson may not be a blueberry farmer, but he had a vested interest in the International Trade Commission’s recent decision regarding the impact of blueberry imports. Watson, like his farming brethren, was disappointed that the ITC did not find that imports do have a significant injury to the domestic industry. “It’s just really frustrating and disheartening. …
Looming Deadline: GFVGA Survey Due Friday
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) wants Ag workers protected during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. As vaccinations continue to be administered across the country, the GFVGA is emphasizing the importance of essential Ag workers. This includes family, full-time employees and seasonal employees comprised of domestic, migrant and H-2A employees. GFVGA is administering a survey that will help inform …
Seed Facility: Bayer Opens Distribution Center in South Georgia
A new fruit and vegetable seed distribution center will provide seed to Southeast produce farmers in a timely and efficient fashion. Bayer Vegetable Seeds announced the opening of its new distribution center in Valdosta, Georgia, located about 10 minutes from the Georgia-Florida state line. It will provide access to its Seminis branded large seed portfolio. Currently, the distribution center is …
Essential Workers: Response Requested for Survey
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is actively working to be the voice of Georgia’s produce industry. Agricultural workers are essential. The Georgia Department of Public Health is working to create a plan to get your agricultural workers vaccinated. The GFVGA wants COVID-19 vaccines available to them at the earliest possible date and needs your help. Most of …
Decreased Results: Vegetable Production Down Slightly in 2020
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, vegetable production throughout the country decreased in 2020 from 2019. Production for the 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 720 million cwt, down slightly from 2019. Area harvested last year was 2.33 million acres, down 1% from 2019. The top three vegetables, relating to harvested areas, were sweet corn, tomatoes and …
March 2 is Deadline for Georgia Vegetable Growers to Vote on Assessment
Georgia vegetable growers have until March 2 to vote on a Georgia Vegetable Commission marketing order that allows the assessment of one cent per marketing unit of vegetables, which is described in the current marketing order. The order is applicable only to growers who produce at least 50 acres of the following crops: beans, bell pepper, specialty pepper, broccoli, beets, …
Bell Pepper Imports Continue to Increase
One vegetable commodity at the center of an investigation pertaining to its imports from other countries was highlighted during Georgia’s Ag Forecast meeting last Friday. Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia Agribusiness Extension economist, pointed out how significantly bell pepper imports have increased over the past two decades. Statistically Speaking In 2019, 68% of bell peppers that were consumed in the …