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By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers eagerly await a new farm bill. With the current piece of legislation set to expire on Sept. 30, fruit and vegetable growers, along with other farmers across the U.S., are hopeful a new farm bill will be passed sooner rather than later. Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist, provided an update on the farm …
Chilli thrips plague farmers worldwide, but new research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has found two strawberry varieties that show less harm from these pests. The finding comes through research funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch program. That’s encouraging news for growers in …
By Clint Thompson Strawberry season has already brought a wide range of emotions to one Alabama producer. Taylor Hatchett, a grower in Chilton County, discussed this year’s crop at the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Conference and Trade Show in Gulf Shores, Alabama. “This is going to be an interesting strawberry year. This year we had problems with the …
By Clint Thompson A substantial amount of rainfall that impacted North Florida last weekend should have minimal impact on watermelon acreage being planted in the Suwanee Valley. That’s mostly because the majority of acres have already been planted, says Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I think in the last 10 days, we’ve probably gotten …
Florida vegetable farmers should be wary that late blight disease has been confirmed in tomato in Southwest Florida. Craig Frey, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hendry County Extension Director Craig Frey, reported via email that Glades Crop Care confirmed the detection, though the race identification is ongoing. The disease can spread quickly and devastate a …
Georgia’s legislative session continues in Atlanta. Georgia Agribusiness Council President Will Bentley spoke with Dale Sandlin, Ag News Director for Southeast Ag Radio Network, about recent developments that could impact the state’s specialty crop production.
By Clint Thompson and Frank Giles Specialty crop growers gathered in Savannah in January for the annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Concurrent seminars allowed growers to choose their educational topics. Here are a few highlights from the educational program. New Pesticide Regulations Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension weed scientist, believes 2025 will be a pivotal year …
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers are on the cusp of harvesting this year’s crop. In fact, some have already started to do so, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. He discussed this year’s harvest season which is starting later than normal. “It depends on the portion of the state …
By Clint Thompson Southeast strawberry producers must be wary that spider mites could make the neopestalotiopsis disease problem worse, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “I think growers need to be looking for spider mites more aggressively, scouting and definitely you need to be aware of that. They could exacerbate or increase the problem,” Brannen …
A low volume of fruit in the cold-hardy citrus region is being produced for the juice market. With the current market prices for juiced citrus, that number could increase in the near future. This topic was discussed during the recent Georgia Citrus Association annual meeting in Tifton. “With the prices today, there is a future for it,” said grower Kim …
