 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
By Frank Giles America’s farm and food policy is a complicated business. It is a constantly shifting landscape, especially under President Trump’s tariff-driven approach. To stay up to date on these matters, I recommend following the work of Daniel Munch, economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). He has spoken at a couple of AgNet Media events and always …
By Clint Thompson Heavy rains during the Dec. 6-7 weekend reduced some of the drought being experienced across the Southeast. According to the Dec. 11 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, there are not any exceptional drought areas across South Georgia and North Florida. Those areas are still highlighted by extreme drought designations. Georgia Extreme drought in South Georgia includes …
By Clint Thompson Row covers are an effective management strategy for strawberry production in the Southeast. Especially as temperatures drop below freezing in some areas across Georgia and Alabama, producers need to protect their young plants from frost damage. Growers also need to continue their management strategy for Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) if they are contemplating applying row covers at any point. …
By Clint Thompson It is a mostly quiet time of year for specialty crops in Southwest Alabama. Citrus production is extremely down this year, due to the lack of satsuma mandarins in the region. With the prolonged dry spell during the fall across the Southeast region, vegetable growers cut back spray applications. Christmas tree research is in full swing for …
The Last WordBy Hugh E. Weathers Two areas in which specialty crop growers often tell us they want more assistance with are finding new markets and scaling up production. In South Carolina, we’re rolling out a new market opportunity called Certified SC Cafeteria. I think it will address both of these grower needs. Certified South Carolina, our state’s agricultural branding …
Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) is observed in Georgia strawberry fields. Fortunately for producers, it is not being reported at levels that were seen a year ago, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “I don’t know how bad it is, but we do have some. Again, it depends on the source of the plants and …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s legislative session next year is set to begin in about a month. Agricultural organizations are ready to advocate for their priorities. One of those organizations is the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC). GAC President Will Bentley was at the Georgia Farm Bureau Convention on Dec. 8 and discussed what some of his organization’s top priorities are. Not …
By Clint Thompson The Christmas season is a time for food, family and fellowship. An integral part of that annual tradition is putting a Christmas tree or two in your home. Many are cut from a Christmas tree farm before Thanksgiving and erected in homes throughout the Christmas holidays. Some homeowners prefer artificial trees, though, that would be a mistake, …
By Shinsuke Agehara University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows that intermittent sprinkler irrigation has great potential to establish Florida strawberries more efficiently — saving water while potentially boosting yield. Most Florida strawberries are established from “bare-root” transplants. They are dug out of nursery fields, often in northern California or Canada, and shipped to Florida …
By Clint Thompson Watermelon acreage in the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida could see a reduction in 2026. According to one industry expert, it needs to decrease. Reduced acres could benefit the industry in North Florida and South Georgia. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talked …
