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By Clint Thompson Pecans are a staple during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. One industry expert believes they can be an important part of Americans’ diets year-round. That will be key in ensuring pecans remain a sustainable crop for growers in the Southeast region, according to Serena Schaffner, chief marketing officer for American Pecan Council and American Pecan Promotion Board. …
By Clint Thompson Watermelon growers should be on high alert for potential disease buildup in fields in the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discussed what diseases his producers must be wary of, with the first harvests just days away. …
Despite recent rainfall, exceptional drought conditions continue to be observed across the Southeast region. According to the May 7 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought remains prevalent in North Florida and South Georgia. In the Florida Panhandle, exceptional drought starts in Bay and Washington counties and expands eastward to Nassau, Baker, Bradford, Alachua and Levy counties. Exceptional drought …
Registration is underway for this year’s Florida Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Aug. 12-14 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. This year’s 52nd annual forum is presented by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation and educates farmers, ag employers, shippers, farm labor contractors and other employers on compliance with labor laws. It will feature multiple …
By Clint Thompson The focus on scab disease remains a vital part of pecan breeding research at the University of Georgia (UGA), says UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner. He discussed the ‘Golding’ variety at this year’s Georgia Pecan Growers Association Conference in Perry, Georgia. Golding has good scab resistance. “Scab is a primary determinant of whether a selection will be …
By Clint Thompson The potential future of specialty crop production was on display this week at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. UGA hosted the Southeastern Specialty Crop Technology Conference & Show on Tuesday and Wednesday. It attracted ag companies featuring technologies on the market and those still in the production phase. Luan Oliveira, …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s vegetable growers are in need of non-traditional crops to supplement their normal farming operations. Ginger and turmeric are two specialty crops that could help producers remain sustainable. University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta said consumers are more aware of where their food comes from, desiring fresh, locally grown ingredients. Ginger and turmeric fit …
By Clint Thompson Peach diseases have been mostly non-existent so far this year for Southeast growers; attributed to the prolonged drought. But there’s still time for this year’s crop to be impacted by certain diseases, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “If it starts raining, we’ll still have potential for disease. It will probably …
By Clint Thompson Pecan industry leaders are currently discussing the possibility of the industry enrolling in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) Program. The program is administered by the Farm Service Agency and offers loans to farmers of eligible commodities to help manage cash flow needs and provide marketing flexibility. Georgia grower Justin Jones was part …
By Clint Thompson The April 30 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor paints a grim view of the drought conditions being experienced across the Southeast. Almost all of Georgia is observing either extreme drought or exceptional drought. Nearly all of South Alabama is seeing extreme drought conditions, while the northern and southwestern parts of Florida are observing either extreme drought …
