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Production for 26 estimated vegetable and melon crops totaled 758 million cwt in 2023, an increase of 6% from 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The three largest crops were tomatoes, onions and sweet corn. They combined for 54% of all the vegetables total. The value of utilized production for vegetable crops in …
Georgia’s citrus industry started with the help of University of Georgia (UGA) Extension. Research assistance from UGA could help the industry flourish. Georgia citrus growers will have an opportunity to vote on a marketing order that will help fund potential research, explains Ken Corbett, chairman of the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Citrus Fruits and a producer at Corbett Brothers …
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop is progressing this season despite a potentially devastating cold snap in late January. Cliff Riner, chairman of the Vidalia Onion Committee, said multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures stalled the plants but failed to have a catastrophic impact. “We’re doing okay. We’ve had weather, but we’ve come through the weather surprisingly well,” Riner said. …
By Clint Thompson Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) remains a threat to Georgia blueberry production. If growers stray from their spray programs, it could have devastating results, believes Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist. “Some growers, if they don’t see populations or don’t see activity in the field, especially when the weather is hot and dry, (they think) these flies …
By Clint Thompson A La Nina weather pattern looms on the horizon. Just how quickly the pattern transitions from the current El Niño remains a question mark, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “The models do not all agree on how fast it’s going to change from an El Niño, go through neutral (conditions) to …
By Frank Giles Specialty crop farms across the Southeast have faced myriad challenges over the past few decades, but many farms have embraced new market opportunities and enjoyed growth. One of those operations is L&M. The farm was founded in 1964 by Joe McGee in Johnston County, North Carolina. In the years since its founding, L&M has grown into a …
By Mike Joyner In agriculture, there is never a shortage of challenges, and 2024 will present its share. At the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA), we work every day to effectively advocate for our members to assure their voice is heard and that outcomes reflect their input. Here is a look at how that work will come to life …
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers need to either decrease their costs of production or increase their yields to improve their sustainability. University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells believes the best option for producers, especially in the short term, is to reduce costs. “We can increase yields, but that’s going to require having the varieties that have …
By Clint Thompson The calendar may say Feb. 20 but for some watermelon growers in North Florida, it says it is planting time. “I believe that there are some that intend on starting around (Feb. 20) if the weather looks good during that period of time,” said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional …
