Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tony Keinath (Extension Plant Pathologist) Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King

Georgia’s Peach Production Nets 85% to 90%

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Peaches

By Clint Thompson What a difference a year made for Georgia’s peach producers. One year after experiencing the lowest of lows with regards to peach production, most of the state’s growers enjoyed the highest of highs with this year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, described how different this year’s yield production was. “I think …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Pacific Tomato Growers Gets Grant to Enhance Labor

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson A $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection pilot grant program will continue to help Pacific Tomato Growers be a destination workplace for H-2A workers. “When we applied for the grant, we had an extensive list of things we were going to use it for. The H-2A program is …

Alabama Citrus Grower Sees Success With Local Marketing

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Citrus

By Clint Thompson An Alabama citrus grower credits the surging population in Baldwin County for his success at marketing his satsuma crop. In retirement, Craig Goolsby has established a small but effective citrus operation. He has approximately 360 mature trees and planted another 150 last year.  Goolsby is hoping to continue a strategy that’s focused largely on local marketing. Goolsby …

Debby Aftermath: Florida Strawberry Producer Discusses Excessive Rains This Week

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry, Weather

By Clint Thompson When Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida earlier this week, it dumped excessive amounts of rainfall. One strawberry producer experienced the torrential downpours in Plant City, Florida. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, highlighted how devastating the rains were on Monday and the impact he’s experiencing as he readies for the upcoming …

Survey Says: Florida Ag Sector Asked to Share Impacts from Hurricane Debby

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida specialty crop producers impacted by Hurricane Debby are asked to complete a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program survey on agricultural losses and damages. UF/IFAS will use the survey in its on-going research to track effects of severe weather on the state’s agricultural industry. Participants will be asked to assess their …

Rep. Scott Frustrated at Lack of Support for American Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) expressed frustration at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Much of that was centered at the lack of momentum in getting a farm bill finalized and the wishes of some to steer more funding away from production agriculture. “We’re used to in America walking in a gas station or a grocery …

Pyrethroid Resistance: Corn Earworm Concerning Sweet Corn Producers

Clint ThompsonCorn, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Pyrethroid resistance in corn earworm is a major concern for sweet corn producers across the Southeast. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said other insecticides are more costly and have to be applied more regularly in sweet corn. It could lead to a decrease in acres across the Southeast. “It doesn’t take a …

Positive VIBE: UGA Program Helps Farmers Make More Money

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson For some specialty crop producers, production is no longer confined to a specific season. If growers are to achieve financial success and stay sustainable for the foreseeable future, they need programs like the Value-Addition Institute for Business Expansion (VIBE) to help extend their farming operations to include new products via process development. The University of Georgia (UGA) …

Dry Weather a Positive for Specialty Crop Producers Heading into Fall Planting Season

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor paints a dry picture for specialty crop producers in Georgia, especially in the central and northern regions of the state, where abnormally and moderately dry conditions are prevalent. That’s beneficial for fruit and vegetable growers who are preparing for their fall crops and are challenged by increased disease …