By Clint Thompson It is still early, but University of Georgia fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen is concerned about the extended warm temperatures and their impact on peach production. “The thing I am concerned about is how warm it is. The chill hours associated with peaches right now, we just have not had cool enough weather yet to deal with …
How Dire Is the Diesel Situation?
By Frank Giles During the past couple of years, we’ve gotten accustomed to sticker shock as inflation has hit fertilizer, energy, food and more. Prices for diesel are up, and there have been concerns raised about looming diesel shortages. Diesel literally fuels agriculture and the transportation of food in this country. It caught the public’s attention when headlines ran that …
Using Light to Control Strawberry Pest
With about 11,000 acres — mostly in west-central Florida — strawberries are worth $399 million annually in Florida. That represents 10% of the national strawberry value and most of the domestically produced winter crop in the United States. Those economic figures make it vital for the state’s strawberry growers to manage pests and diseases effectively. While producers began planting for …
Secretary Vilsack Statement on Trip to Mexico
WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement on Monday after his meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on the U.S.- Mexico bilateral trade relationship and its importance for U.S. farmers, ranchers and producers: “We appreciate the president welcoming us to Mexico and engaging in a productive dialogue. The meetings provided a venue to raise the …
UF Study: UV Lamps Can Control Strawberry Pest
With about 11,000 acres — mostly in west-central Florida — strawberries are worth $399 million annually in Florida. That represents 10% of the national strawberry value and most of the domestically produced winter crop in the United States. Those economic figures make it vital for the state’s strawberry growers to manage pests and diseases effectively. While producers began planting for …
Sneak Peek: December 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The December issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights the Florida Ag Expo, which was held on Nov. 2 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. This year’s Expo offered insight and education from industry leaders and university researchers into the latest trends impacting specialty crop production. Topics like crop protection, supply-chain issues, pest management and …
Florida’s New AEWR Projected to be $14.33
Florida’s new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for 2023 is estimated to be $14.33, pending an official notice in the Federal Register by the Department of Labor (DOL). It would be an increase of nearly $2 from the $12.41 rate from the previous year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the results of its most recent Farm Labor Survey last …
Georgia Strawberry Production: What Producers Should Plan For
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s strawberry crop emerged unscathed last week amid low temperatures, according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “Everything looks fine. Nothing really got burnt. It doesn’t even look like anything happened,” Cook said. He discussed what growers should be mindful of right now at this …
Alabama Pecans High on Quality, Low on Price
By Clint Thompson Like pecans in other parts of the Southeast, Alabama’s crop is high on quality and quantity this season. Their market value remains low, however. That’s not what growers were hoping for with their first full crop following Hurricane Sally. Bryan Wilkins, Alabama Extension research associate, discussed the crop’s progress this year. “It was a little slow getting …
Strawberry Research Essential to N.C. Production
By Clint Thompson The future of strawberry production in North Carolina lies in Gina Fernandez’s research lab at North Carolina (N.C.) State University. The strawberry breeder is responsible for developing the newest strawberry variety adaptable to the state’s environment. “California has beautiful climate, nice day length and temperatures, cool temperatures that strawberries like to grow in. Florida has a breeding …