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By Clint Thompson Fruit rots are an annual concern for Georgia blueberry producers. But fungicide resistance is gaining traction as a worry for farmers moving forward. Blueberry farmers have the fungicides needed to manage fruit rots every year. But they need to be mindful of not putting all their effort into one specific mode of action, explains Jonathan Oliver, University …
By Clint Thompson Watermelon plantings are starting earlier and earlier in the Suwanee Valley Region of North Florida. That’s concerning to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, though he understands why producers are putting plants in the ground at the end of February. “These watermelon farmers, …
By Clint Thompson Last week’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference served as a celebration of what’s right with specialty crop production in the region, explains Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “It’s been such an eventful year, everything from the hurricane to our continued struggles with imports, this is really a chance …
Drought continues to linger across certain regions of the Southeast, but it is dissipating in some areas. This is according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida is suffering through mostly dry conditions with moderate drought remaining in the northern part of the state. An area in the Florida Panhandle, including Holmes, Washington, Bay, Gulf, Franklin, …
By Clint Thompson Pyrethroid resistance in corn earworm is a threat to the sweet corn industry in South Georgia. Among all the other insect pests that impact sweet corn production in Georgia, none compares to the impact of corn earworm. Corn Earworm The usual chemical applications that growers have depended on to control corn earworm have become less reliable. This …
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers are on the brink of planting this year’s crop. One lingering problem that still concerns growers is fusarium wilt, says Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agent in Levy County. “I think one of the things that scares our guys the most is this topic of …
The Tri-State Fruit and Vegetable Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 28 at the Jackson County Extension Peanut Hall Auditorium in Marianna, Florida. That means fruit and vegetable producers from the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama and South Georgia are invited to attend. The meeting will begin with registration at 7:15 a.m. (CST), with the conference slated to begin at 8 …
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report, shipment volumes of sweet corn decreased by almost 10% year-to-date, but 2024 shipments (84% domestic) were 14.4% higher in October-November compared to those two months in 2023. Import volume was up 9.2% from January through October compared to a year earlier, reaching 181 million pounds. …
Regular registration remains open for those interested in attending this year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show. This year’s event will be held on Feb. 5-7 at The Lodge at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Early bird registration ended on Jan. 1, but regular registration is currently underway and will continue until …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan season has come to a close. Between devastation from Hurricane Helene and market prices that did not reflect diminished supply this year, morale is low for growers, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “It was just disappointing all the way around,” Wells said. “It wasn’t the worst year we’ve had, by far. …
