 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
By Clint Thompson Harvest season is just around the corner for Southeast peach producers. For Lane Southern Orchards in Central Georgia, this means working round the clock this time of year. “The H-2A contracts start in February, so that’s when peach season starts,” says Tyler Wainwright, farm manager for Lane Southern Orchards. Wainwright oversees production practices in peach orchards west …
By Clint Thompson A South Georgia watermelon scout believes this year’s crop is still more than a week away from being harvested. “I feel like they are every bit of two weeks off,” said Flanders in an interview with AgNet Media on May 18. “So, I would say it’s going to be two weeks, maybe a little bit longer. And …
By Clint Thompson The cotton jassid’s lingering absence in fields across South Georgia is a win for vegetable producers in the middle of this year’s spring season. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said the insect hasn’t been detected since about February, though researchers and Extension agents have been closely monitoring traps set up across the region. …
By Clint Thompson The recent rainfall experienced across the Southeast has done little to alleviate the drought-like conditions being observed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Florida According to the May 21 edition of the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought conditions still persist across much of North Florida and Southeast Georgia. The driest conditions in North Florida start in Bay, Gulf …
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 Lowcountry Zack Snipes Pee Dee Brad Fowler Upstate Samantha Brown Andy Rollins
By Clint Thompson A springtime drought is abnormal. But considering the circumstances surrounding the drought’s buildup, dating back to last August, it should not be surprising for specialty crop growers in the middle of it. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the two main factors that contributed to a drought that has spanned over eight months. …
By Clint Thompson Georgia will always be known as the “Peach State.” But at this point, it may just be about maintaining production instead of growing as an industry. There are multiple reasons for that, believes Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “I don’t know that in the middle …
By Clint Thompson Florida’s increased reliance on the H-2A program has the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) appealing to legislators that necessary modifications be made. “Our two big policy asks are improved access to the H-2A program and wage stability,” said FFVA Director of Labor Relations Jamie Fussell during the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences …
Thrips Update in South Florida Thrips populations are building across the South Florida region, according to the most recent release of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. In Southwest Florida, scout reports indicate that thrips population levels are increasing. There is moderate pressure overall with localized hotspots. Along the …
By Clint Thompson An extended dry period this year led to little disease buildup in North Florida watermelons this production season. One disease has been noticeably absent this year, and that’s downy mildew. “The past few years, we have had downy mildew a lot earlier than this. So, we’re pleasantly surprised that we have not had any reports of it …
