Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Update

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 Tom Bilbo, Extension Entomologist Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Sarah Scott Upstate Andy Rollins

Dry Areas Decreasing Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonDrought

By Clint Thompson The extensive dry conditions that were prevalent across areas of the Southeast for months have mostly dissipated thanks to the current El Niño weather pattern. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, areas across North Alabama are mostly abnormally dry, as are some counties in North Georgia, while a small portion of western Florida is dry as well. …

Citrus Health Forum Helps Cold-Hardy Growers

Dan CooperCold Hardy

Production in the cold-hardy citrus region is still in its infancy. Growers and industry leaders need events like the Citrus Health Forum to obtain the necessary information to help this young industry continue to flourish. The latest forum took place at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy …

Can’t Depend on China: Country’s Own Pecan Production Progress a Concern for SE Growers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson China’s presence as an export destination for U.S. pecans is a thing of the past. Southeast (SE) producers should not rely on China continuing to import substantial amounts of pecans, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “From this point on, I would not count on China anymore. We may see years where they …

Nematodes a Threat to Southeast Pecan Trees

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Nematodes may be silent pests, but they can wreak havoc on pecan trees if left unchecked. Tim Brenneman, a plant pathologist with the University of Georgia, said the microscopic pests are common in pecan orchards across Georgia. Growers may not think much about them because they are underground. But they have a proven track record to devastate …

UGA Expert Provides Input Concerning Vidalia Onion Fertilization

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Vidalia Onions

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research into the use of poultry litter as a fertilizer source for Vidalia onions shows it is a potential carrier for E. coli, a surrogate for Salmonella. Laurel Dunn, University of Georgia Extension coordinator and assistant professor in food science and technology, discussed her research at the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in …

Artichokes Make for Pretty Plants

Clint ThompsonArtichoke, Florida

Did you know you can plant artichokes in your garden or landscape as well as eat them? The artichokes you eat are, in fact, immature flower buds. “Many home gardeners love artichokes, mostly as edibles,” said Shinsuke Agehara, a University of Florida (UF) associate professor of horticultural sciences who harvests the vegetable from January through March at the UF Institute of …

USDA NASS: Findings for Vegetable Production

Clint ThompsonUSDA

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 …

vote

Georgia Citrus Growers to Vote on Marketing Order to Fund Research

Dan CooperGeorgia, Research

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 …