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By Clint Thompson Grafted watermelon plants remain a significant defense against fusarium wilt disease. They are just costly and cause a delay in harvests, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “It does appear that properly managed grafted watermelons can be very helpful in managing fusarium …
A saturated spring has North Georgia grape producers concerned about disease management with harvest season on the horizon. Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia viticulture Extension specialist, discussed some of the diseases growers have dealt with over the past few months. “Especially with how wet this year has been, we’re trying to keep on top of our downy mildew management,” Lowder …
In May, the final rule on pre-harvest agricultural water usage in produce cultivation under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was published. The FSMA was signed into law in 2011. Since its passage, regulations have been rolled out over time to allow farms both large and small to prepare for its implementation. The FSMA came after major foodborne illness outbreaks. …
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. Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help Georgia farmers export more pecans. Both are urging the USDA to provide adequate promotional resources for marketing Georgia pecans to the global market. The inquiry comes after the USDA announced the first tranche of funding under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 3, 2024. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint up to 25 individuals for two-year terms to succeed members whose terms will expire Oct. 28. Detailed information about the advisory …
Florida specialty crop farmer Matt Parke may still be a relative newbie when it comes to blackberry production. But he seems to have figured out a secret to blackberry success in Central Florida. “Here in Central Florida, we don’t get the chill hours required to make them flower good, so you’ve got to figure out how to trick them into …
Intense heat and lack of rainfall have contributed to moderate dry conditions expanding across the Southeast, including in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Northeast Florida is mostly moderately dry. The dry area starts as far west as Jefferson and Madison counties and expands eastward to Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties and southward to Marion …
Specialty crop producers are always looking for ways to increase their yields and boost the ability of their crops to resist pests, diseases and heat spurred by climate change. That’s particularly the case when you grow crops in a high-intensity production system, which farmers use to produce tomatoes in Florida. Such systems require a lot of water, nutrients and chemicals …
By Clint Thompson Those interested in attending next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) conference and trade show can mark their calendars for Feb. 5-7, 2025, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The annual conference returns to South Alabama for another year, with registration slated to open on Nov. 1. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, talked about the …
