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By Frank Giles One of the critical elements in the specialty crop supply chain is transportation. Getting produce from the fields to the packinghouse and then to consumers is an important part of the process. Over the past couple of years, there has been increased scrutiny of trucking and those who hold commercial driver licenses (CDLs). This has been driven …
The work of Southeastern blueberry breeders is paying off with a lot of options for growers to diversify their plantings. Here are some of the newer selections being featured by two breeding programs. Florida Selections The University of Florida (UF) Blueberry Breeding Program has released many cultivars over the years with desirable characteristics, pleasing consumers and helping commercial growers be …
On the cusp of another harvest season, Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, believes there will be a bumper crop in the South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama areas. “I’ve not talked to a single person who has said, ‘I’m not going to have fruit this year’ — not with satsumas and not with Cara Caras. …
The 48th annual Sunbelt Ag Expo is back this week in Moultrie, Georgia, and farmers, industry leaders and agricultural enthusiasts are invited to attend North America’s premier farm show. It is scheduled for Oct. 20-22 and will host visitors from across the Southeast, specifically from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Arkansas and Virginia. The Southeast Farmer of the …
By Clint Thompson Georgia pecan growers, like Justin Jones in Lee County, are hopeful that weather conditions stay drier for the rest of October. It will help the crop avoid quality issues that might arise following the wet weather conditions to begin the month. “If it stays like this or if it stays like a dry October, like we’re kind …
Blood oranges are an enticing option to help cold-hardy citrus producers diversify their crop portfolios. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is researching the crop at the North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. Nothing has deterred him from recommending it to growers in North Florida, South Georgia …
By Clint Thompson Two straight weekends of rainfall, highlighted by last week’s Hurricane Isaias, have alleviated some of the drought being observed across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia Much of South Georgia is drought free, extending from Seminole and Early counties in the southwest corner of the state northeastward to Jenkins, Burke and Richmond counties. The …
By Clint Thompson Unprecedented diesel prices are the latest in a long line of challenges that threaten the sustainability of the family farm. “I mean we’re spraying like crazy,” said South Georgia vegetable farmer Sam Watson. “We’ve got whiteflies all over the place. We’re having to spray more and spend more on chemicals because the whiteflies are so bad. We’re …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced this week that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to restore, repair or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, …
By Clint Thompson Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease continues to threaten strawberry production across the Southeast. One of the most efficient ways to overcome the disease is to rotate the crop, in and out of a field. But that can be easier said than done, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “I tell producers, strawberry …
