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By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan growers will soon have a new variety at their disposal. University of Georgia pecan breeder Patrick Conner discussed the ‘Golding’ variety at last week’s Georgia Pecan Growers Association Conference in Perry, Georgia. “It’s selected for having exceptional quality, good yield and good scab resistance. We think it’ll be a general use cultivar for growers who …
By Frank Giles For BJ Wilkerson, farming is all he’s every known, and he would not have it any other way. As a fourth-generation farmer, he says his family is working hard to ensure there is a place for the fifth generation to continue the legacy. “We have about eight family members involved working on the farm, along with 11 …
By Clint Thompson The House Ag Committee did its part in the farm bill process with its passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on March 5, 2026. House Republicans are eyeing a floor vote for the farm bill legislation during the last week in April, according to Politico. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs …
By Clint Thompson The interim final rule (IFR) revising the methodology used to determine H-2A’s adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) was a win for specialty crop growers. The industry will score an even bigger victory once the rule becomes permanent. John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), discussed the interim final rule and what …
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year makes for one Alabama tomato producer. Chad Smith, who grows tomatoes in St. Clair County in the central part of the state, is preparing this year’s crop amid unusually dry conditions. It has created a challenging environment to plant tomato plants, though it’s still much better than 2025. “Take last year, it …
By Frank Giles In 1862, President Lincoln signed the Morrill Act into law. The legislation created the land-grant university system that was intended to teach about farming practices and serve agriculture. That mission continues to this day, and you see land-grant universities in the Southeast cited often in this magazine. Those institutions have played a vital role in the advancement …
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin Amid calls for increased dedicated financial aid for specialty crops, Stephen Vaden, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary, emphasizes that additional appropriations cannot be made possible without congressional approval. In an interview with Dale Sandlin, Ag News Director for Southeast AgNet, Vaden was asked about the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which allocated $12 …
Georgia’s specialty crop growers are reminded that the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) Hurricane Helene Block Grant application period closes Monday, April 27. Georgia farmers, ranchers and foresters in eligible counties who suffered losses due to the 2024 storm, including timber, infrastructure, poultry, beef cattle, dairy cattle, milk loss, dairy feed, pecans, blueberries, citrus, nursery, plasticulture and bare ground practices, …
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s devastating impact on cotton last year has industry experts alert on when the insect will emerge as a threat this season. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, emphasized that the insect has not been detected in multiple weeks, which is a positive sign heading into planting season. “We’ve got some …
By Clint Thompson Early-season peaches will be sporadic this year thanks to a late-season freeze event in mid-March. The quality and quantity of early peach varieties is in doubt as a result. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources (ANR) agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed the situation facing his growers. “It depends on location. …
