By Clint Thompson Georgia’s strawberry crop emerged unscathed last week amid low temperatures, according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “Everything looks fine. Nothing really got burnt. It doesn’t even look like anything happened,” Cook said. He discussed what growers should be mindful of right now at this …
Alabama Pecans High on Quality, Low on Price
By Clint Thompson Like pecans in other parts of the Southeast, Alabama’s crop is high on quality and quantity this season. Their market value remains low, however. That’s not what growers were hoping for with their first full crop following Hurricane Sally. Bryan Wilkins, Alabama Extension research associate, discussed the crop’s progress this year. “It was a little slow getting …
Strawberry Research Essential to N.C. Production
By Clint Thompson The future of strawberry production in North Carolina lies in Gina Fernandez’s research lab at North Carolina (N.C.) State University. The strawberry breeder is responsible for developing the newest strawberry variety adaptable to the state’s environment. “California has beautiful climate, nice day length and temperatures, cool temperatures that strawberries like to grow in. Florida has a breeding …
Whitefly Populations Increasing Across South Florida
Florida’s vegetable producers should be wary that whitefly infestation numbers are increasing across the southern part of the state, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Reports indicate that whiteflies in southwest Florida re moderate and increasing on tomato, pepper, eggplant, squash, cucumber and watermelon. High numbers are reported to have been moving into young fields from mature …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates on Crops
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “A little welcome rainfall over the weekend along with some warmth and sunshine has improved the growth of strawberries. I believe it will be worthwhile for growers to utilize row covers for …
Florida H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate Up Nearly $2
By Frank Giles The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the results of its Farm Labor Survey. This data is used by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to determine the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR), which establishes the minimum wages for H-2A workers in states. The survey results indicate the new AEWR in 2023 is estimated to be $14.33, …
New USDA Aid Packages Announced
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Nov. 15 announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). The two programs help offset crop and revenue losses for growers. USDA is sharing early information to help …
Drought Continues Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Drought-like conditions have worsened in certain areas of the Southeast, especially in north Georgia, south Alabama and northwest Florida, according to last Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. All of Alabama is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry, except for a small area of counties located along the Alabama-Georgia state line; specifically, Lee, Russell …
Thinking Outside the Box: Citrus Growers Need to Diversify to Remain Sustainable
If cold-hardy citrus growers diversified their crops and not put all of their eggs in the satsuma basket, it would provide them a better chance at long-term sustainability. It would allow producers an opportunity to combat the negative national stigma concerning citrus juices, says Jude Grosser, a professor of plant cell genetics at the University of Florida Institute of Food …
Melon Producers Plan Early to Protect Against Gummy Stem Blight
It is never too early for watermelon producers in the Southeast to start thinking about management options for gummy stem blight disease. As Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist Tony Keinath puts it, “Early is on time.” He reminded growers in The South Carolina Grower that they should allow time to purchase the right fungicides in case of potential shortages. What Worked? …