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By Clint Thompson Alabama pecan quality and quantity was down this year. The prolonged drought is the main reason why, says Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. “Numbers are way down. That drought hurt us pretty good. They were as small as they’ve been in a long time. Wasn’t a good year,” Wilkins said. “We were wet, but when it …
By Clint Thompson Budget was the theme of the second week of the 2026 Georgia Legislative Session. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley highlighted the budgetary focus. “We just wrapped up week two of the legislative session. The second week is always budget week, joint House and Senate Appropriation Committees met where they heard from Gov. (Brian) Kemp and …
Several cold fronts have kept Florida blueberry growers busy protecting their plants from freezing temperatures. Most reports from growers are positive, showing that they have been successful in their efforts. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences blueberry Extension coordinator in Wimauma, said he has been communicating with several growers throughout Florida and has not heard …
(Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching a new online portal to streamline reporting of transactions involving U.S. agricultural land by foreign persons, which can include businesses and governments, under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA). The new online portal is part of a broader effort to strengthen enforcement and protect American farmland …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s chill hour accumulation is currently lagging behind last year’s totals, due to a slow start in January. The state is still in good shape, however, according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “We were 80 hours ahead and then after the Southeast Regional Fruit …
By Clint Thompson The 2025 calendar year was warmer than normal for most of the Southeast region, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. Knox noted the weather conditions in the UGA Climate Blog. “There are obviously variations across the state. I would say almost the entire state, with the exception of areas right around Macon, …
WASHINGTON — Specialty crop leaders this week renewed their calls for urgent economic support for U.S. growers and shared their disappointment after the U.S. House released final spending bills on Tuesday that did not include aid for America’s specialty crop producers. “At a time when producers face rising costs, domestic labor shortages, and severe market and weather challenges, this omission …
By Clint Thompson Inclement weather predicted for this upcoming weekend and into early next week should prompt North Alabama strawberry producers to initiate a specific management practice. At least that’s what Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, is advising his growers when they call asking him what to do. “I said I’m covering if I’m you,” Schavey said. …
By Clint Thompson The fear of the unknown is what makes chilli thrips a dangerous threat to Georgia blueberries. Chilli thrips were first confirmed in Georgia four years ago and have been observed in multiple counties since then, though Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, believes the list of counties is much larger. Sial highlighted chilli thrips and their …
The vector of citrus greening disease remains in low numbers in Georgia. University of Georgia (UGA) researchers are hoping the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) stays that way. Led by UGA entomologist Apurba Barman, UGA Extension is monitoring for the insect in hopes of limiting its migration throughout South Georgia. “The good thing is, so far, we’ve found ACP in only …
