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By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson The freeze that struck Florida in late January and early February brought the coldest air to the state in more than a decade. Freezing temperatures caused significant damage to specialty crops across the state. In many areas, the frigid temperatures held for hours, exacerbated by high winds that thwarted freeze-protection efforts many growers tried …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia pecan industry is going back to the basics with the University of Georgia Pecan Beginners Class, held in conjunction with the Georgia Pecan Conference this year on March 31 in Perry, Georgia. University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells highlighted the topics scheduled to be covered in the class, which will be held at …
By Clint Thompson Cold temperatures last week had an adverse effect on recently-planted watermelon plants in North Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region. Growers are determining how to best help their young plants recover. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, provided advice for producers who are making chemical …
The March 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows exceptional drought in North Florida and South Georgia, the part of the region that is the driest in the Southeast. Georgia Exceptional drought conditions in South Georgia are located in parts of Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Lowndes and Echols counties, while the remaining region is still suffering through extreme drought conditions. …
By Clint Thompson Last week’s sub-freezing temperatures over multiple days impacted Georgia’s early peach varieties. To what extent remains to be seen, explains Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “What I saw initially, it’s going to be an impact on some early stuff. It really depends on where you …
By Frank Giles Last month’s cover story featured the potential benefits the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement could have for specialty crop growers. The recommendation to eat “real food,” which includes fruits and vegetables, could improve sales for farmers while benefiting Americans’ health. There’s a lot that is good about MAHA, because it has focused the conversation on how …
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be starting their fungicide applications. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasized that message during his weekly email to growers in the Suwanee Valley Region. “I’d say we are usually looking for gummy stem blight. That would probably …
By Clint Thompson Economic relief was a focus during last week’s session in the Georgia Legislature. One of the main impacts was seen on Friday when Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation (HB 1199) which suspends the state’s gas and diesel taxes for 60 days. The suspension was needed amid the conflict in Iran which has led to gas prices …
The Florida Citrus Show provided an opportunity for Citrus Research and Field Trial Foundation (CRAFT) Executive Director Steven Hall to share the organization’s accomplishments and future plans. Hall moderated a panel discussion and spoke about the organization’s work. “Thanks to Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Senate President Ben Albritton, the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, we’ve been able to …
By Clint Thompson Choanephora rot is a fungal disease that causes a soft, wet rot on plants. It thrives in warm, humid conditions and is recognized by a fuzzy, “hairy” or pinhead-like fungal growth on infected areas. Where Is It? Choanephora rot is native to tropical and subtropical Asia and parts of Africa. The disease was first documented in the …
