The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the comment period for the potential cancellation of organophosphate pesticides until Sept. 25, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Vegetable Blog. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said that if organophosphates are important to your production program, growers should submit their comments to the EPA. “If organophosphates …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 9/12/22 Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Fall watermelons are looking good. There is some disease around, so fungicide applications remain crucial. I am finding whiteflies in a few crops, too. As we move into …
Florida Ag Groups Praise Bipartisan Filing of Petition to Combat Unfair Trade Practices
Florida’s specialty crop organizations praised the bipartisan filing of petition to combat unfair trade practices. Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, was among those praising the congressional leaders that were part of the petition. “For too long, specialty crop growers across the U.S. have faced the devastating effects of unfair imports from Mexico,” said Joyner. “The …
Expo Specialty Crop Sessions Educate Growers
By Clint Thompson A highlight of the annual Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is the seminar program that focuses on the vegetable and specialty crop industry in Florida. This year’s sessions covered a range of topics, including pest management, alternative crops that growers can take advantage of, and various other research updates from University of Florida Institute of Food and …
TFI Urges Carriers, Unions to Reach Agreement to Avoid Consumer Pain
ARLINGTON, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) urged Congress to take action to avoid a freight rail shutdown on Sept. 16. TFI sent a letter to Congressional leaders on Sept. 7 pushing for intervention to prevent a stoppage from occurring. “A stoppage hasn’t yet happened, but we are already feeling the negative effects of non-resolution,” TFI President and CEO Corey …
Markets Attempt to Edge Back to Normalcy
It has been a wild ride for the U.S. and global economies since COVID-19 struck. Inflation and war in Europe have not helped matters. We asked Roger Cryan, chief economist for the American Farm Bureau, to weigh in on how recent events could affect agriculture. There has been some easing on pricing for inputs and fuel. Do you expect that …
Rubio, Lawson to USTR: “Untenable Situation Imposed by Mexico’s Practices and Policies”
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Al Lawson (D-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation to petition U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to initiate a Section 301 investigation of fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico and to secure trade relief for Florida growers. “The Biden Administration has affirmed its intention to protect and reinvigorate critical supply chains …
Rubio, Colleagues Petition USTR to Protect Florida Producers from Unfair Trade Practices
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Al Lawson (D-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation to petition U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to initiate a Section 301 investigation of fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico and to secure trade relief for Florida growers. …
Rains Spark Disease Fears for Pumpkin Growers in Northeast Alabama
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains in Northeast Alabama have sparked concerns about potential disease pressure among the region’s specialty crop producers, especially those pumpkin farmers. Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, discussed the impact that potential diseases could have on his area’s pumpkin crop. “That’s one thing we do start to worry about when we start getting rain …
Registration Ongoing for Upcoming Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum
By Clint Thompson Registration is ongoing for the upcoming Georgia Ag Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture in Tifton, Georgia. The event is tailored towards agricultural employers, human resource managers and administrators. It will provide discussions with leading experts on how to navigate the challenge of finding and maintaining a consistent workforce, says …