By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop is progressing nicely with strong plant stands, believes Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “Right now, we have a good-looking crop. So far, going out and looking at fields, I’m seeing really good plant stands everywhere. On everybody’s …
Georgia Peach Producer: Quality of Chill Hours Has Been Good
By Clint Thompson This year’s Georgia peach crop is off to a strong start with regards to chill hours. How the early months of spring will affect this year’s crop remains to be seen, however, says peach producer Lee Dickey. “I think we’ve had a cool fall in our area and started to accumulate a good amount of chill, and …
USDA to Kick off National Agricultural Classification Survey
WASHINGTON – Already preparing for the 2027 Census of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) starting Wednesday, Jan. 24. The survey, an important step in determining who should receive a 2027 Census of Agriculture questionnaire, will be distributed to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they …
Increased Rains Putting Pressure on Producers Needing to Apply Plastic
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall during December and January is placing added pressure on producers trying to prepare for their spring plantings. If conditions stay saturated, growers will be unable to complete time-sensitive tasks, says Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties. “I spoke with a couple of different growers (last Wednesday) …
Drought Monitor Update: Dry Conditions Persist in Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson Drought remains in areas across Florida, Georgia and Alabama. But the amount and severity of those conditions continue to decline due to a rainy winter, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry conditions are still observed in Escambia and Santa Rose counties in the Florida Panhandle. Severe dry conditions are seen along the west coast of …
Pecan Production Meetings to Be Offered Across Georgia
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan producers should make plans to attend one of the production meetings held over the next couple of months across pecan-producing counties. The meetings are hosted by University of Georgia Extension, including pecan specialist Lenny Wells. “Like all of the commodity meetings that the university does every year, we just go from county to county to …
Georgia Ag Forecast Scheduled for Jan. 26
By Clint Thompson Registration is ongoing for the upcoming Georgia Ag Forecast event, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 26 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. Growers and industry leaders are invited to come here about the latest research and information from UGA specialists to help agriculture remain the state’s No. 1 industry. Ben Campbell, associate …
Southeast Regional a Specialty Crop Success
By Clint Thompson The 2024 edition of the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is in the books. Thousands attended the annual event in Savannah, Georgia. How to keep specialty crops sustainable was the underlying theme behind presentations given by university, Extension and legislative personnel. The three-day conference and tradeshow was dubbed a success, believes Chris Butts, executive vice president …
Sweet Strawberry Season So Far in Florida
By Clint Thompson The Florida strawberry season has already been deemed successful with its sensational quality. That sweet success is likely to continue as the market continues to support strong supply. “Beautiful, absolutely beautiful,” said Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA_, regarding this year’s crop. “I would suggest that the cooler temperatures have definitely been …
Tickets on Sale for Fla. Ag Hall of Fame Banquet
Tickets remain on sale for the Florida Ag Hall of Fame banquet, scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. The banquet will honor three inductees who have made significant contributions to Florida agriculture – John L. Hoblick, Eugene J. McAvoy and John O. Schlechter. Tickets are $85 per person, and tables of eight are …