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By Robin Loftin In 2023, when the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was forced to leave the Lee Civic Center and Fort Myers, AgNet Media shared your disappointment. Like many of you, we hoped and prayed that one day we would have the opportunity to return. Today, we are thrilled to announce that those prayers have been answered. The 2026 …
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt remains a challenge for watermelon producers in North Florida and South Georgia. Grafting is a way for growers to navigate its challenge, says Josh Freeman, regional sales manager with TriEst Ag Group. “If you take markets aside, markets come and go, but fusarium, that’s not going to change. In my opinion, varietal resistance is not …
By Clint Thompson Vegetable producers and cotton growers are anxiously playing the waiting game with regards to the cotton jassid. If and when the new insect threat arrives this spring could have a ripple effect on growers’ management plans. Producers controlled the jassid last fall with sprays they were already applying for whiteflies. Growers usually do not apply insecticides for …
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin The Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program is allotting $12 billion in one time bridge payments to farmers in response to trade market disruptions and increased input expenses that are still impacting producers. While $11 billion will be used to provide relief to row crop farmers, the remaining $1 billion will be used for commodities …
By Frank Giles Editor’s Note: This article is part of a series featuring state marketing programs in the Southeast. South Carolina is home to a diverse array of specialty crop growers. Those growers have access to a marketing program called Certified South Carolina to help promote their products and bring exposure to their farms. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture …
By Clint Thompson The end of this year’s tropical season officially ended on Nov. 30. It marked the end to an unexpectedly quiet season for Southeast producers who, thankfully, did not have to brace for a tropical storm or hurricane. It was a surprising development, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “I’m a little bit surprised …
The second major freeze event of the season occurred this week in the cold-hardy citrus region. It is still too early to gauge the long-term impact of temperatures dropping to the mid-20s in the early morning hours on Monday and Tuesday. However, if growers did not implement freeze-protection measures, this event could be more serious than the first freeze that …
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan producers are nearing an end to a frustrating harvest season. Yields did not match growers’ expectations. Neither did market prices. It added up to another frustrating season, says Mary Bruorton, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association (GPGA). “We are nearing the end of it. Some growers could be done in the next week …
By Clint Thompson University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are continuing their studies in paper mulch with respect to watermelon production in the Southeast. Its development is important for a region that depends heavily on watermelon production. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, …
By Clint Thompson One Florida watermelon industry expert believes South Florida’s production succeeded this fall, due in large part to minimal whitefly pressure and zero tropical system impact. Laura Land, member of the executive council of the Florida Watermelon Association, talked about South Florida’s season during the Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute on Dec. 4. “I think they had a good …
