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By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon producers have begun harvesting this year’s crop. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, said while not all growers have started the harvesting process, it should pick up in the next week or so. Torrance discussed what his producers are seeing with this year’s crop. “I think …
By Mary Hartney In testimony delivered to the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee during the “Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a Stable and Affordable Supply for American Producers” hearing, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) offered some recommendations. TFI President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Rosenbusch prefaced his remarks by explaining how the fertilizer industry is caught up in the current geopolitical …
By Clint Thompson The next farm bill is closer than ever to becoming reality. The House version has already been voted on and approved. Now it is the Senate’s turn, and according to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the committee plans to release text of its version within the next week or two, according to …
For many Florida farmers and ranchers, “A Land Remembered” is a treasured piece of historical fiction. The novel chronicles the lives of three generations of the MacIvey family in Florida from the 1850s to the 1960s. There has been a lot of buzz about a new TV series that is being made based on the book. Todd Wiseman Jr., who …
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. Pee Dee Report Brad Fowler Upstate Report Samantha Brown
By Clint Thompson Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson’s (PA-15), attempt at modernizing the H-2A program has at least one specialty crop organization in his corner. The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) praised Thompson, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, for the draft legislation, which included improvements that make the program more predictable and flexible for farmers. The bill, “Securing Agriculture’s …
By Clint Thompson Mancozeb’s uncertain future as a fungicide option for Southeast grape producers has researchers, including those at the University of Georgia (UGA), currently studying potential alternatives. Phil Brannen, UGA Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, provided an update in the UGA Viticulture Blog and noted that mancozeb remains available for the 2026 season under current labels. “It is on …
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelons continue to be harvested across the Suwanee Valley Region. It won’t be long before growers can call it a season, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Various factors will impact how much longer producers will harvest this year’s crop. “I think the market will drive a lot …
By Clint Thompson U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ testimony at the June 4 hearing with the House Committee on Agriculture included a brief discussion with Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) about disaster assistance. Cammack and Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) introduced the bipartisan Freeze Disaster Assistance Act in early June that would provide $3.5 billion in disaster assistance to aid …
By Clint Thompson The looming El Niño weather pattern means a decreased chance for tropical systems to develop during the summer and fall. But all it takes is one to have an impact, explains James Spann, chief meteorologist at the Alabama Weather Network. “The consensus is very high that we are going into an El Niño phase. Traditionally, in an …
