By Clint Thompson A frigid weekend in the forecast for Southeast Georgia could impact the Vidalia onion plants in the ground. Chris Tyson, UGA Extension area onion agent, talked about what producers can expect with the looming sub-freezing temperatures. “Friday night is like the coldest it looks like. Right now, for Reidsville (Georgia), they’re calling for 18 degrees (Fahrenheit) and …
Alabama Extension to Host Annual Hemp Production Meetings
Alabama hemp producers should mark their calendars for 2023, as Alabama Extension will host a series of five industrial hemp meetings for new and seasoned growers in January. Growers should plan to attend just one meeting since all meetings will follow the same agenda. All new producers are strongly encouraged to attend. The meeting will cover the 2023 hemp season …
Looming Sub-Freezing Should Help Growers in Managing Whitefly Populations
By Clint Thompson The upcoming below-freezing temperatures should help South Georgia specialty crop producers trying to manage the growing whitefly population. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, discusses why warmer weather is not good for farmers with vegetables vulnerable to whitefly damage. “There’s still some whiteflies around, not near the populations …
Christmas Tree Growers Optimistic About Industry’s Future
It wasn’t long ago that Christmas tree growers were worried about the long-term future of their industry. But today that worry has transformed into renewed optimism, according to Gary Crawford with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Marsha Gray, executive director of the Real Christmas Tree Board, says, ”The industry met the demand in 2021 and will do so again …
UF/IFAS to Host South Florida Vegetable Meeting
Vegetable producers should mark their calendars for the next South Florida Vegetable Growers meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida. The meeting will last from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cover vegetable production with an emphasis on …
GFVGA Frustrated by Ag Labor’s Lack of Inclusion in Omnibus Spending Bill
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) expressed disappointment following the news that agriculture labor reform was left out of the Omnibus spending package being finalized in Congress. Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Affordable Secure Food Act last week. It was a counterpart to the Farm Worker Modernization Act that was passed by the House in 2021. The …
Florida Sweet Corn Volume Back to Normal
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian did more than just flood parts of Florida and spark damage with its high winds when it moved across the state on Sept. 28. It also delayed plantings of multiple crops, including strawberries. Sweet corn was another crop impacted, according to Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable …
How Low Will We Go? Wintry Conditions Expected Over the Holidays
By Pam Knox I’m talking about temperature, folks! A lot of my social media feed for the last couple of days has been related to one or more cold outbreaks that could affect the U.S. over the next couple of weeks or even into January. On Twitter, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center posted an infographic about bitterly cold …
Alabama Ag Outlook Meeting Focuses on 2023 Production Season, Farm Bill
By Clint Thompson Alabama Extension’s Ag Outlook meeting last week accomplished its objectives. It provided attendees an outlook on what they can expect across the entire agricultural landscape heading into 2023. It also focused on the upcoming Farm Bill, a key piece of legislation that is renewed every five years. Adam Rabinowitz, Alabama Extension economist, headed the meeting, which was …
Hurricane Ian Impact: Sweet Corn Production Back to Normal Volumes Following Planting Gap
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Ian did more than just flood parts of Florida and spark damage with its high winds when it moved across the state on Sept. 28. It also delayed plantings of multiple crops, including strawberries. Sweet corn was another crop impacted, according to Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable …