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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 …
By Clint Thompson The Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo, slated for Aug. 21-22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, appeals to fruit and vegetable growers from across the Southeast, including those from Georgia, Alabama and North Florida. It will offer seminar sessions that highlight specialty crop production while also offering opportunities to discuss business with the many vendors that …
The production of the top five fresh vegetables, not including potatoes, increased 2% from the prior season, though the national supply of fresh-market vegetables dropped by 1.2% in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The production increase was instigated by expansions in planted acreage, improved weather conditions and increased yields. Increases …
By Clint Thompson Thrips management is an annual challenge for specialty crop producers. One University of Georgia Extension entomologist is hopeful a new insecticide will be registered in the fall to help manage the tiny but destructive pest. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, talked about his latest research pertaining to thrips management. “We do something …
This spring a multistate outbreak of Salmonella (Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup) occurred, and the ensuing investigation indicated that the illnesses were potentially linked to cucumbers. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported their finding on July 2. The investigation update named a Florida grower as a possible source of illness for this outbreak. …
By Clint Thompson Florida mango production has a benefit that other countries lack and is a big reason the industry is enticing for potential producers. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, highlighted how domestically produced mangoes are selling high when compared to mangoes that are imported into the U.S. …
By Clint Thompson Gummy stem blight’s presence in North Florida watermelons this year was expensive to manage. It could be even costlier to growers’ sustainability in the future. “Are we going to start losing effectiveness of chemistry?” pondered Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “That’s the …
By Clint Thompson An increased nut drop of one of Georgia’s older and more established pecan varieties will impact volume this year. But growers should know this is a common occurrence with Desirable varieties, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “There was a big drop of Desirables this year. Desirables always have a drop in June. This …
By Clint Thompson The lack of younger pecan growers in Alabama concerns the president of the Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA). Bran Futral, APGA president, discussed the current state of the industry with harvest season just a couple of months away. “I think if there was a significant concern, and this worries me the most as I spend my time …
WASHINGTON – Nominations are currently being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees. These committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2024. …
