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By Clint Thompson Stress is synonymous with farming these days. Increased costs have amplified those concerns for producers, whether they are in row crop production or are producing fruits and vegetables. Diesel prices are averaging $5.35 per gallon. Fertilizer prices remain high, as are chemical costs. The spike in input expenses are worsened since market prices have not improved for …
By Clint Thompson The ongoing threat of the yellow-legged hornet (YLH) to honey bee populations in the Southeast should concern the region’s fruit and vegetable producers, says University of Georgia Honey Bee Program Director Jamie Ellis. “Honey bees are incredibly important providers of pollination services. Many of the crops grown in Georgia, for example, blueberries, watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupes, squashes; are …
By Frank Giles Whiteflies, aphids and other pests continue to be significant problems in Southeastern vegetable production. Recently, the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group hosted a series of webinars addressing several important viruses pests may carry. The group’s mission is to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate …
By Clint Thompson Last week’s Farm to Table Dinner in Auburn, Alabama, hosted by Sweet Grown Alabama, included farmers and industry leaders. Approximately 150 guests attended the event on Thursday, Aug. 13 and sampled Alabama-grown foods. This included jam from Hornsby Farms in Auburn and watermelon samples, provided by the Gulf Coast Watermelon Association watermelon queen. Sweet Grown Alabama Director …
By Clint Thompson The frustrating aspect of the Senate Ag Committee’s failure to advance the farm bill was it mostly had nothing to do with agriculture. The political discourse over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was reportedly the main point of contingent that kept both republicans and democrats from agreeing to this key piece of legislation. What’s important now for …
By Clint Thompson H-2A reform has long been in need of a major haul; 40 years, in fact. That’s how long it’s been since the agricultural labor program has experienced change. Now is as good of a time as any for it to happen, says Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural …
The Aug. 13 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor provided updated drought conditions across Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Florida Florida’s dry conditions range anywhere from extreme drought to abnormal drought. Extreme drought in North Florida includes all or parts of Gilchrist, Suwanee, Columbia, Union, Bradford, Clay, Putnam and Alachua counties. Extreme drought down the west coast includes all or parts …
One of satsuma mandarin’s drawbacks is its alternate bearing tendency. It will produce a heavy crop load one year and a low one the next year. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, said tree hedging may provide a solution. She discussed the management technique at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on …
By Clint Thompson The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo returned home this year and provided the same vital information to steer growers to long-term sustainability. This week’s two-day event, held Wednesday and Thursday, was held in Fort Myers, Florida, its original home for nearly three decades. Citrus and specialty crop growers, along with vendors and industry specialists, flocked to the …
By Clint Thompson One of the top vegetable farmers in the Southeast is not immune to the inflationary costs impacting growers these days. In fact, Georgia farmer Kent Hamilton said his input costs have spiked every year since COVID. “We’ve got hit hard from every angle. And to be honest with you, ’21, ’22, and ’23, our business lost money, …
