Hot and Dry: Weather Conditions Favorable for Buildup of Whiteflies, Spider Mites

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pests

By Clint Thompson The current hot and dry weather conditions have one University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist concerned that whitefly and spider mite pressure will soon intensify in vegetable crops. Stormy Sparks, UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, talked about both insects during a vegetable training with Extension agents last week. “Right now, we’re worried about whiteflies building up. They’re very, …

drought

Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Worsening in Southern Florida

Dan CooperDrought, Weather

The lack of rainfall continues to be observed in the central and southern regions of Florida, while Georgia and Alabama are mostly enjoying sufficient moisture, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate and severe drought conditions dominate the central and southern areas of Florida. Severe drought starts as far north as Hillsborough, Manatee, Hardee, Highlands, Osceola and …

Georgia Citrus Growers Pass Commodity Commission Market Order

Clint ThompsonCitrus, Georgia

Atlanta, Ga – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced on Friday that Georgia citrus growers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the marketing order proposed by the Georgia Citrus Commodity Commission. Established in 2023 to support Georgia’s burgeoning citrus industry, the Citrus Commodity Commission will collect a two-tenths-of-cent-per-pound assessment on marketed Georgia citrus. It will be used to fund research, education …

hops yard

Figuring Out the Right Hops “Recipe” in Florida

Dan CooperFlorida, Hops, Specialty Crops, Varieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center hosted a hops field day in early June. The event included a tour of the center’s hops yard and educational presentations on growing the crop. Much of the hops used in brewing beer is grown in Washington and Oregon. Shinsuke Agehara, UF/IFAS associate …

USTR, USDA Announce Appointments to Advisory Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, USDA

WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have announced appointments to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.  Members from Georgia and Florida were selected to the committee, including Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Mike Joyner, president of …

Alabama Peach Growers Enjoying Strong Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Peaches

Peach harvests are currently being held across the Southeast. Like neighboring Georgia, Alabama is experiencing a strong crop this year due to adequate chilling and the lack of a late-spring freeze event. AgNet Media’s Will Jordan spoke with Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, about this year’s peach crop.

What’s Happening? 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 Lacy Barnette and Jhessye Moore-Thomas, Climate-Smart Grown in SC Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins

Gummy Stem Blight a Problem for North Florida Watermelon Crop

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon crop continues to be impacted by increased disease pressure, though gummy stem blight remains the most difficult to control. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, reported in his weekly email that gummy stem blight is causing the greatest concern among …

Couple of Weeks Away: Georgia Melon Producers Eyeing Mid-June Harvests

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon harvests are still a couple of weeks away, according to one industry expert. The fact that this year’s crop is not slated to be picked until mid-to-late June is on par with what growers have experienced in recent years, says Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. …