Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: The Last Word

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

It’s Time to Compete -Fairly By Robert Guenther The termination of the U.S.–Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement isn’t just the end of a flawed trade deal. It’s a turning point for American tomato growers and, more broadly, for how this country chooses to defend its agricultural backbone in a global economy. For nearly 30 years, domestic producers operated under suspension agreements …

insect pests

Insect Pests To Watch for in Georgia

Dan CooperGeorgia, Pests

Georgia citrus growers are a couple of months away from harvest season. If producers are going to maximize this year’s crop, they need to protect it from insect pests. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia assistant professor of entomology at the Tifton Campus, discussed insect pests during the Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on July 24. He focused on a …

Scab Infection of ‘Avalon’ Pecan Variety in Northeast Georgia

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The appeal of the pecan variety ‘Avalon’ is that it produces high yields and has excellent scab resistance in University of Georgia research trials. But its recent susceptibility to scab in some Georgia orchards is a key development for growers contemplating planting the variety in the future. UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner noted in the UGA Extension …

N.C. State Extension Strawberry Meeting Scheduled for Aug. 21

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

By Clint Thompson North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension reminds the state’s strawberry growers the Western North Carolina Strawberry Preplant Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the N.C. Extension, Wilkes County Center in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Matthew Clay, N.C. State Extension agent, talked about the importance of the meeting with planting season looming. …

Alabama Pecan Leader: Looking for Good Year

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson One Alabama pecan industry leader is confident in this year’s crop, though it may not live up to last year’s total yields. Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate, attributes that to an expected decrease this year in Elliotts, a popular variety produced in the Southeast. “We’re looking for a good year. It’s going to be a little …

Fall Vulnerability: Any Tropical Activity Can Be Devastating This Time of Year

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson A tropical storm or hurricane in the fall can be more devastating to farmers than if it occurred earlier in the year. Just look at Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Or Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Two of the most impactful storms in the Southeast in recent memory impacted fruit and vegetable crops, along with cotton and …

Preregistration Deadline for Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is Aug. 15

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers are reminded that Friday, Aug. 15 is the deadline to preregister for the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. Those interested can click here for the conference agenda. The trade show will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. …

Lifetime Achievement Award

John Baxter Honored with FFAA Lifetime Achievement Award

Dan CooperEvent, Fertilizer

The Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association (FFAA) presented its highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, to longtime industry leader John Baxter during the association’s Annual Meeting in July. The award was presented by FFAA Chairman Eric Johnson, recognizing Baxter’s enduring contributions to Florida agriculture and the agrichemical industry. A Florida native, Baxter’s agchem journey began in 1989 and reached new …

citrus greening

Preventing Citrus Greening Establishment in Georgia Groves

Dan CooperDisease, Georgia, HLB Management

Citrus greening disease has yet to find its footing in Georgia. But that doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t eventually. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the ramifications of citrus greening during the recent Southeast Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia. “If we get greening established here, we’ll start seeing lower and lower production on …

Attention Fall Vegetable Farmers: Whitefly Populations Increasing Throughout Region

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia vegetable farmers must be aware that whitefly populations have spiked in recent weeks, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. It’s a concern for producers preparing their fall crops. “Whiteflies really jumped (recently). (This week’s rain) may slow them down. I had a patch of soybeans there on the station where …