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By Clint Thompson Scab disease resistance remains the No. 1 attribute that University of Georgia (UGA) pecan breeder Patrick Conner looks for when breeding for new pecan varieties. Fungicide costs remain high. Market prices remain unpredictable, though they were devastatingly low last year for Southeast growers. Producers need Conner, a professor of horticulture in the UGA College of Agricultural and …
By Clint Thompson Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series featuring land-grant universities and technological advancements. The University of Georgia (UGA) has invested time, money and manpower to become a breeding ground for ag innovation. Whether it is through the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture (IIPA), which launched in 2022, or the UGA Grand Farm, which broke …
By Clint Thompson Another week, another period of prolonged dry weather across the Southeast. According to the Oct. 16 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought is being observed in West Alabama, Southwest Georgia and North Florida. Extreme drought in Alabama is seen in all or parts of Marengo, Wilcox, Dallas, Perry, Hale, Greene, Sumter, Pickens, Tuscaloosa and Bibb …
By Clint Thompson Technological advancements provide Alabama fruit and vegetable growers an extra layer of security to protect against theft. During this time of year, tractors and farming equipment are vulnerable to theft since they are often left in fields or orchards for extended periods. But technology, like GPS, allows producers to always know where their property is even if …
By Frank Giles The cotton jassid, also known as two-spot cotton leafhopper, is an invasive insect from the Indian subcontinent. The pest has sparked concern in cotton crops and has potential to become problematic in specialty crops. Where Is It? The cotton jassid was first detected in the United States in Florida in 2024. The pest recently made headlines as …
By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) is seeking participants for the Grow Forward Award; a new award that will be presented at next year’s AFVGA Annual Conference on Feb. 4-6 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Blake Thaxton, AFVGA Executive Director, said this award highlights both established producers and emerging growers. “It’s an award, but it’s more …
By Clint Thompson The Department of Labor’s interim final rule revising the methodology used in Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) calculations is a win long term for specialty crop producers. In the short term, though, growers must be wary of any contracts that were already in place preceding the new rule. That’s the message that Chris Butts, executive director of …
Freeze tolerance is a focal point of citrus studies conducted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy. As citrus production continues to grow in the cold-hardy citrus region, growers need varieties that are able to withstand prolonged periods of sub-freezing temperatures. Leading that research is Muhammad Shahid, …
By Frank Giles In September, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) hosted its annual conference in Orlando. Specialty crop growers gathered for three days of engagement and education. One of the forums held during the conference was a panel discussion on the new Trump administration and trade. Participants included Lauren Reamy, Penn Avenue Partners; Carolyn Gleason, McDermott Will & …
Florida avocados, a signature staple in kitchens, a favored fruit tree in landscapes and a source of pride for the state’s growers, face a renewed threat from avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd). The disease can severely stunt avocado tree growth, deform fruit and silently spread through groves. Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are …
