By Clint Thompson One University of Georgia (UGA) peach specialist is confident about this year’s crop despite falling short of chill hour accumulation. Dario Chavez, UGA assistant professor with an emphasis in peach physiology and breeding, discussed Georgia’s crop at the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. “In Georgia we’re …
Fallout from Freeze Still being Assessed for Cold-Hardy Citrus
Southeast citrus trees were undoubtedly impacted by multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas week. An exact understanding of the impact will not be known for another couple of months, believes Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “The freeze was significant, but you never really know for sure until the plants start to flush out …
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Excitement for the 2023 Florida Grower Citrus Show is rising for many, including Doug Bournique, executive director of the Indian River Citrus League. “The show has been a cornerstone for the Indian River region since its inception back in the 1940s,” says Bournique. It was originally called the Indian River Citrus Seminar. The event has been presented as the Florida …
India’s Reduction of Pecan Tariffs a ‘Huge Deal’ for Producers
By Clint Thompson India’s reduced tariffs on U.S. pecan exports is a huge win for producers in the Southeast. “It’s a huge deal. It’s going to potentially open up another huge market that we desperately need. It may take a little while to get it going, but the first hurdle has been cleared any way,” says Lenny Wells, University of …
Buchanan, Soto, Rubio, Scott Introduce Legislation to Protect Florida’s Seasonal Growers
WASHINGTON – Unfair trade practices with Mexico continue to be at the forefront of Florida’s specialty crop producers. Legislators are doing what they can to protect seasonal producers. Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Congressman Darren Soto (D-Fla.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation earlier this month to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat Mexico’s unfair trade practices. “Illegal seasonal dumping and …
Freeze’s Full Impact on Cold-Hardy Citrus Still Unknown
Southeast citrus trees were undoubtedly impacted by multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures during Christmas week. An exact understanding of the impact will not be known for another couple of months, believes Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist. “The freeze was significant, but you never really know for sure until the plants start to flush out …
Farm Income Down Despite Higher Prices at Grocery Store
Farm sector income is expected to drop in 2023. Net farm income is forecast to decrease by $25.9 billion or 15.9% from 2022 to $136.9 billion in 2023. Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease to $150.6 billion in 2023, a decrease of $39.4 billion or 20.7% from 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service …
Facing Tomato Disease Throughout South Florida
One tomato disease remains prevalent in South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Target spot (Corynespora cassiicola) is being observed at moderate to high levels in tomato fields across the region. It is also extremely high in older plantings in fields on the east coast. Target spot symptoms can be confused easily with bacterial spot and early …
Farm Income to Drop in 2023
Farm sector income is expected to drop in 2023. Net farm income is forecast to decrease by $25.9 billion or 15.9% from 2022 to $136.9 billion in 2023. Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease to $150.6 billion in 2023, a decrease of $39.4 billion or 20.7% from 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research …
Alabama Strawberry Producer: Row Covers ‘Knocked Wind Off’ During Christmas Freeze
By Clint Thompson North Alabama strawberry producer Jeremy Calvert believes implementing row covers during the Christmas freeze event saved the majority of his crop. “Everything that I’ve got looks pretty good considering the cold event that we had in December. All of our berries were covered. Anywhere that the row covers might have blown up or were at the short …