Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It finally feels like spring in the fields. The strawberry crop is really behind schedule this year. Most farms have plants with 3-to-4 crowns on them. In most years, we have …
Budgeting for Specialty Crop Success
By Clint Thompson At a time when input prices are historically high and availability a serious concern for specialty crop producers, growers need to ensure budgeting is a priority for the spring season. Jessie Rowan, Alabama regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, discusses the importance of understanding and planning for the different expenses. …
Improving Pre-emergent Herbicide Use in Vegetable Row Middles
By Ramdas Kanissery, Ruby Tiwari and Nirmal Timilsina Weeds are problematic in vegetable production as they compete with crops for nutrients, water and other resources. Weeds that emerge in the spaces between the raised beds (row middles) not only serve as hosts for pests and diseases but can potentially interfere with farm operations (Figure 1). Weeds can negatively affect field …
PRVCGA: Florida Growers Score Wins During Legislative Session
By Frank Giles Members of Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association gathered in Arcadia last week for its annual meeting and dinner. Updates were provided on association business, orange juice marketing and citrus Extension activities. Matt Joyner, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, also gave an update on the 2022 state legislative session. He said the citrus industry scored …
USDA Seeks New Members to Serve on Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it intends to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). It is also seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the FVIAC. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2022. USDA is set to reestablish the committee’s charter for two years as required by the Federal Advisory …
2022 Florida Women’s Leadership Conference Focused on Outreach
The Florida Farm Bureau Federation (FFBF) hosted more than 100 women from across the state for the 2022 Women’s Leadership Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Melbourne, March 24-26. The conference featured keynote speakers, an awards banquet, breakout sessions and farm tours. Keynote speakers included Lorenda Overman, vice-chair of the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee; national speaker Betty …
Alabama Extension to Host Vegetable Production Meeting
Vegetable producers in Alabama know It is spring planting season. Growers need to be aware of what to expect before plants are put in the ground. Alabama Extension will host a vegetable producers production meeting on Wednesday, April 6. Extension specialist Andre da Silva and Extension agents Shane Harris and Chip East will lead the meeting, which will begin at …
Florida Peach Producer: I’m Surprised We’ve Got a Peach at All
By Clint Thompson The weather was so unpredictable this winter in Florida that one peach producer was shocked he had a crop this year. Not only does Mike Graham have peaches, he has quite a bit. “It looks really good for me. I’ve had other people tell me they don’t have any, a light crop. But no, we’ve got a …
March Freeze Wipes Out Georgia Farmer’s Greens Production
By Clint Thompson The mid-March freeze and subsequent rain events continue to wreak havoc on South Georgia specialty crop producers. Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia, said the sub-freezing temperatures devastated his vegetable greens production. “It’s pretty tough right now. We’ve got a lot of damage from that cold weather on all of the greens,” …
Fungicides to Manage Cercospora Leaf Spot on Beets
Cercospora leaf spot disease, the most damaging disease on beet greens and bunch beets, can be managed just as equally with either conventional or organic fungicides, according to The South Carolina Grower, Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath. Based on previous research in New York with processing beets, Keinath evaluated the best conventional program – Tilt alternated with Quadris – and …