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The short timeframe when temperatures dipped below freezing this week in the cold-hardy citrus region appears to have not been problematic for trees. That’s the preliminary assessment shared by Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. Sutton emphasized that the few hours that temperatures dropped into the 20s early Tuesday morning was a lot better …
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion transplanting is either underway or about to be across Southeast Georgia, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent. Tyson said the prolonged dry spell this fall has allowed seedbeds to avoid disease buildup, a common concern if rains were persistent. “All of our seedbeds that we’re growing right now for …
By Clint Thompson Early bird registration is underway for next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) annual conference and tradeshow, scheduled for Feb. 4-6, 2026, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The cost for early bird registration is $175 and closes Dec. 31. Regular registration is $225. The conference will be held at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in …
The Florida Blueberry Growers Association recently hosted its annual meeting in Lakeland. The event drew a good crowd, and speakers addressed pest management, new varieties, labor issues and more. One highlight of the event was Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, presenting the results of his annual survey of Florida blueberry …
The anticipated disappointment has become a reality for cold-hardy citrus growers; satsuma mandarins are in short supply. The predominant citrus variety grown in the region will not have much of a crop this season as harvests have already begun across the cold-hardy region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. As expected, citrus volume will be short, mostly due …
By Clint Thompson Back-to-back nights of sub-freezing temperatures this week ended North Florida’s fall vegetable season for all practical purposes. While some growers may scavenge their fields for any surviving fruit, most of the remaining crop was devastated by plummeting temperatures. “The temperature on Tuesday morning was probably in the range of 31 (degrees Fahrenheit), plus or minus. There was …
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable growers in Southeast Alabama were subjected to sub-freezing temperatures earlier this week. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, expects minimal damage from the few hours of low temperatures, which varied from field to field. “I don’t think the freeze (this week) is going to be terribly rough on us. It dipped …
By Frank Giles The rapid pace of changes to the H-2A program continued in October when the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new interim final rule that modifies the methodology for calculating the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR). The interim rule was necessary because: Agricultural industry associations welcomed the announcement as a step toward greater stability in the …
By Clint Thompson Monday night’s sub-freezing temperatures in South Georgia impacted the region’s vegetable crop production. The effect of the impact varies from crop to crop, according to Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He discussed the early-season freeze event, which impacted crops planted in the summer and fall. “I think …
By Clint Thompson Multiple agricultural organizations, including the Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and Alabama Farmers Federation, were part of a coalition that sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), urging the USDA to halt new waivers that weaken Buy American requirements for school food purchases. “For our industries, school meals represent a …
