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ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia Department of Agriculture Law Enforcement Division is warning Georgia’s agricultural community to be vigilant after receiving multiple reports of sophisticated online scams targeting farmers searching for farm equipment. Investigators have identified fraudulent schemes in which scammers create highly convincing websites and online advertisements that appear to represent legitimate farm equipment dealerships. In many cases, the dealerships …
By Clint Thompson The July 4 holiday has come and gone, which means Georgia’s watermelon season is nearing its conclusion. The summer holiday provides a key harvesting window for Georgia producers. This year was no different. Some of the crop is still being picked this week, says Tim Coolong, professor and Extension specialist in the University of Georgia College of …
By Clint Thompson Bacterial spot is currently affecting peach orchards across the Southeast region. But it may not be the only disease to impact the trees during the final few weeks of this season. According to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, anthracnose disease could become problematic on untreated trees, if the rainy conditions continue across …
By Clint Thompson Pecan estimates have been released for Georgia’s crop this year. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, said estimates are for 115 million pounds. But growers must take that with a grain of salt considering how the bearing acreage remains “in flux.” “You know, we’ve got more young trees coming into production every year. We lost …
ATLANTA, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper signed a proclamation officially declaring July 2026 as “Georgia Grown Watermelon Month,” celebrating one of the state’s signature summer crops and the Georgia farmers who grow it. With approximately 35,000 acres dedicated to watermelon production and a 2024 farm gate value of $220.5 million, Georgia is a national leader in watermelon …
By Clint Thompson Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), has only conducted blackberry research since 2022 but has quickly realized how vital pruning is to successful blackberry production in the Southeast. “Pruning is very critical because if you will keep the branches, which give you the fruit, it will …
By Clint Thompson Soil moisture sensors are used by most large-acre farmers in Florida, according to one industry expert. Extension personnel can help growers use the technology more effectively, says Jay Capasso, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Water Resources Regional Specialized Agent for Northeast District Capasso was a featured speaker during the recent Georgia-Florida Irrigation …
By Clint Thompson Ryan Atwood may be one blueberry farmer in Florida, but he speaks for many Southeast specialty crop growers who believe change needed to be made to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). That change could be on the way. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer issued a statement on July 1 that indicated the United States did not agree to …
By Clint Thompson Weed management is a vital part of specialty crop production every year for growers in the Southeast. No matter how control strategies evolve with artificial intelligence (AI), current tactics will still be implemented to some degree, according to Lynn Sosnoskie, assistant professor with Cornell University. She talked about smart sprayers, lasers and AI during the Southeastern Specialty …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is one of the many ag-based organizations praising the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, recently introduced by U.S. Representative GT Thompson. Chris Butts, GFVGA executive director, highlighted the bill’s far-reaching impact. “We have to have this. It’s a solid bill. It was a bipartisan bill,” Butts said. “It was written …
