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By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests are underway across South Georgia. One crop scout attributes an uptick in disease pressure in watermelons this year to the increased rainfall experienced throughout the region in the spring. Tim Flanders, who scouts watermelon fields in the Tifton, Georgia, area, also said producers experienced some diseases sooner in the production season than normal. “We’ve got …
By Clint Thompson The current lawsuit against the Department of Labor (DOL) is a last resort for Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), a plaintiff in a case that is challenging new worker rules proposed for the H-2A program. Chris Butts, executive director of the GFVGA, explains his organization’s position in joining a lawsuit against the DOL. This is …
Research has shown that grafting or choosing the right watermelon cultivar is more important than fungicide applications in managing fusarium wilt, according to one Clemson scientist. Plant pathologist Tony Keinath reported in his experiment at the Coastal Research and Education Center in Charleston, South Carolina, Cracker Jack had more diseased plants (5.8%) than Fascination (0.2%). Twelve of the 13 diseased …
The long-range weather forecasts call for an extremely active tropical season. Much of that potential for increased activity this summer is due to warmer-than-normal water temperatures, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “If you look at the longer range (forecast), we do see a pattern shift that is going to allow more likely (storm) development, probably …
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable season is wide open across Alabama. Crops are being harvested and sold in counties all over the state. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), discussed the current situation facing his state’s specialty crop producers. “It’s wide-open peach season. The peach crop seems to be doing well, definitely …
PALISADE, Colo. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $50 million to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico, through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program), reaching 177 unique agricultural operations and more than 11,000 workers. The awards will help improve the resiliency of the …
By Clint Thompson Snails are already impacting citrus in Florida. Georgia vegetables experts are concerned their crops could be next. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, talked about the dangers that snails pose to all vegetable crops in South Georgia. “It’s a growing concern, absolutely,” Sparks said. “We’ve got some in the squash fields over in …
Many craft brewers prefer to make their product using hops pellets because of several advantages they provide over whole cone hops. To address a request by Tampa Bay-area craft brewers, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are converting the crop they grow into pellets. “Brewers use several forms of hops to make beer, including pellets, …
Atlanta, Ga – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced on Tuesday that the Georgia Department of Agriculture Agricultural Inputs Division has issued a “Stop Sale” Order on Midash Forte Insecticide (EPA Reg. No.83529-6) manufactured for Sharda USA, LLC. Lab test results indicate Batch TX433 is contaminated with herbicides and could potentially cause crop damage. Midash Forte is a commonly used …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Fresh From Florida program is celebrating the more than 1 million consumers who follow Fresh From Florida on social media, signed up for the Fresh From Florida newsletter and joined the Fresh From Florida Club. Since January 2023, Fresh From Florida’s online followers have grown from a little more …
