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Most of the Southeast region has sufficient moisture. The only abnormally dry conditions are seen in part of Florida and North Carolina, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Multiple counties in southern Florida are abnormally dry. The dry conditions start as far north as Brevard, Osceola, Polk and Hillsborough counties and stretch southward to Charlotte, …
Ever since Florida farmers have been producing tomatoes, they’ve picked them by hand or hired laborers. It’s painstaking work that might be made easier soon with machine-harvestable tomatoes developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers. Now that the varieties are available, growers in Florida’s $400 million-a-year industry hope they can use mechanized harvesting, but doubts …
WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Friday a final rule to strengthen protections for farmworkers. The rule targets vulnerability and abuses experienced by workers under the H-2A program that undermine fair labor standards for all farmworkers. “H-2A workers too frequently face abusive working conditions that undercut all farmworkers in the U.S.,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “This …
Strawberry diseases are devastating Georgia’s strawberry crop, which could lead to one of the worst production years ever, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Many strawberry sites are now suffering substantial plant mortality as the season progresses. Losses are not uniform, and some sites look pretty good. But unfortunately, many do not,” Brannen wrote …
By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers are in the midst of harvest season. One industry expert is optimistic with this year’s crop. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, said his growers have avoided extreme weather events this season which helped production. “We did have some big rains earlier before harvest, but that really didn’t create …
By Clint Thompson Two straight seasons of spring freeze events has one Alabama blueberry farmer ready to modify how he manages his blueberry crop. Jimmy Ferguson said this year’s late-season freeze impacted between 30% and 40% of his rabbiteye crop and about 20% of his highbush. That followed the freeze in 2023 that completely wiped out his 25-acre farm. “We’ve …
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers have enjoyed a prosperous season so far, though that prosperity could come to a halt once neighboring states start harvesting their crop. That could soon be the case, explains Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “I think it’s been good production. A number of folks …
Southeast strawberry growers continue to be threatened by fresh strawberry imports from other countries, mainly Mexico. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report, fresh strawberry import volume increased 4% in 2023, from 564 million pounds to 589 million pounds. It marked the fifth straight year that import volumes have increased. The nominal value of …
By Clint Thompson El Niño flexed its muscle during the winter and early spring. Cold, wet conditions have been prevalent across the Southeast. But how much longer will it last and what exactly are neutral conditions that weather experts project El Niño to transition into? Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, provides an answer. “Think of it …
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Jhessye Moore-Thomas Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Christiana Huss Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins
