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By Clint Thompson University of Georgia (UGA) bell pepper research centered on phytophthora resistance is a focus of Ted McAvoy’s studies on the UGA Tifton campus. The UGA Extension vegetable specialist explains that resistant varieties exist but in other parts of the country not suited for South Georgia producers. He hopes to change that. “Phytophthora is the No. 1 soil-borne …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers and farming operations should be prepared for strict heat regulations that loom on the horizon, according to Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. Butts stresses the importance of producers having plans in place for how to prevent heat illness and how to treat it. They would be …
COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service to offer more than $4 million in competitive grants to support middle-of-the-food-supply-chain infrastructure for domestic food and farm businesses and other eligible entities. Grants under the Resilient Food System Infrastructure (RFSI) program will support expanded capacity for the aggregation, processing, …
Much-needed rainfall continues to help alleviate a lot of the drought conditions present in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Southeast Alabama is drought-free, as well as most of central and southern Georgia and nearly all of Florida. Alabama’s worst drought conditions are mostly concentrated to the central and northern areas of the state. Extreme drought …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build …
By Clint Thompson Pecan prices were less than desirable for Southeast producers. But they could have been a lot worse, explains Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. He said prices, while low, have stayed steady throughout the harvest season. It is mainly due to China being a buyer again this year. “This year we haven’t seen a …
U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2024 are projected to be $169.5 billion, which would be a decrease of $2.5 billion from the August forecast. Horticultural product exports remain unchanged at $39.5 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service Situation and Outlook Report. Whole and processed tree nuts, like pecans, are …
By Clint Thompson A newer pesticide called Nurizma could be a potential replacement for chlorpyrifos. But vegetable producers should be wary that it is labeled only for an in-furrow application, says Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “We did a lot of work with it foliarly, and it’s a really good product as a foliar. But …
Florida farmers can apply for the Farm Tax Exempt Agricultural Materials (TEAM) Card beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to use for sales-tax-exempt purchases of agricultural materials. The plastic wallet-sized Florida Farm TEAM Card is a physical alternative to the paper exemption certificates. “I am pleased to make this exciting announcement that will help to alleviate administrative burdens felt by farmers and …
More than 2,000 acres of Florida ranchland has been preserved through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With the approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 2,101 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through a cost-effective rural land protection easement totaling $8,195,000. Rural land protection easements prevent future development …
