A sporadic blueberry disease caused significant problems for Georgia producers in 2020. Though management options are non-existent with yeast rot, Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, believes timely harvesting and handling of ripe fruit will help minimize instances in 2021. “It was a major problem for our rabbiteye growers. Kind of the last half, …
Crop Rotation in SE Vegetable Production
According to the Southeastern U.S. 2021 Vegetable Crop Handbook, crop rotation is key in preventing the buildup of soil-borne pathogens. Specialists from universities across the Southeast implore producers to consider an effective rotation sequence that consists of crops from different families that are poor or non-hosts of these pathogens. The longer the rotation the better the results will be. A …
Vegetable Weed Management a Complicated Practice for Producers
Weed management in vegetable crops across the Southeast remains a diverse and complicated practice that all producers need to be reminded of. “There are so many components that a vegetable grower has to consider, especially when it comes to weed control. Some production systems you can use tillage. Some you can’t. Some you have plasticulture in a fumigant system. Some …
COVID Forces Farmers to Consider Alternate Marketing Opportunities
COVID-19 altered the marketing plans of Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers in 2020. Restaurants closed, which crippled certain sectors of the fruit and vegetable industry. Farmers must continue to adjust as a new season approaches while the pandemic continues. Jessie Boswell, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, believes the pandemic’s …
Georgia Vegetable Growers to Vote to Continue Assessment
Georgia vegetable growers will vote Feb. 1 through March 2, 2021 to determine the continuation of the Georgia Vegetable Commission marketing order which allows assessment of one cent per marketing unit of vegetables as described in the current marketing order. The marketing order applies to growers with 50 acres or more of total annual production of the following crops – …
2021 Southeastern Vegetable Crop Handbook Now Available!
According to N.C. State Extension, the new Southeastern Vegetable Crop Handbook is now available online. Extension vegetable specialists across the Southeast come together annually to update this handbook. In addition to vegetables, garlic, some culinary herbs and hops are also included. There will be a limited number of hard copies available. Due to the lack of in-person vegetable grower meetings …
SE Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Concludes Today
This year’s virtual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference ends today with hopes of returning to an in-person format in 2022. Charles Hall, Executive Director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, believes the educational sessions that were offered over the course of the three-day event are invaluable for producers this year and moving forward in upcoming growing seasons. …
Syngenta Showcases Multiple Vegetable Products
Syngenta had a chance on Tuesday during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference to showcase several new vegetable products that are sure to benefit vegetable and specialty crop growers in the Southeast. Prevail Prevail is a popular new beans variety that’s adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. It produces slim, very dark green pods. In trial data, …
Virtual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Underway
The 2021 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is underway. The conference, which is normally held in January in Savannah, is being held virtually this year due to COVID-19 concerns. The three-day event will be held through Thursday, Jan. 7. For more information, or to register for the event, click here. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag …
Natural Habitat for Birds, Safe Produce Co-exist?
With an interest in wildlife while possessing an expertise in food safety, Kristin Woods is concerned about risks bird populations have on fruit and vegetable production in the Southeast. “It is possible to do both, have safe produce and maintain habitat for birds and other wildlife. But it really is an area we need more research in to know how …