By Clint Thompson What had Southeast producers concerned in late spring and early summer has not changed in early July. High input costs, increased freight rates, outrageous pallet prices; all add up to a challenging time to produce vegetable and specialty crops. “We’re very concerned about it. Freight rates haven’t really backed off yet. We don’t know what’s going to …
Soaked: Wet Summer Could Impact Fall Plantings for Georgia Growers
By Clint Thompson A saturated summer for South Georgia could impact farmers’ preparation for their fall crops. Much like this past spring when plantings were delayed because of excessive rains, that same scenario could be played out later this summer. Soils are saturated. Sunshine is needed. Fields need to dry out. “We have to have fair enough weather conditions to …
Weather Update: Wet, Wet, Wet
By Clint Thompson Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor tells farmers something they already knew – it is wet across the Southeast region. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows sufficient moisture in Alabama, Georgia and most of Florida. Only a portion of Miami-Dade County in Florida shows abnormally dry conditions. “They’re not even showing any abnormally dry conditions in Georgia …
Rain, Rain Go Away: Wet Summer Impacting Pecan Trees
By Clint Thompson A wet summer only got wetter this week for parts of Southeast Georgia in the path of Tropical Storm Elsa. While the steady rainfall in June and so far in July has replenished the moisture in the soil, it has had a negative impact on the state’s pecan trees. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny …
Government Subsidies: Mexico’s Advantage Leads to Increased Imports
By Clint Thompson One of the key factors in Southeast producers’ fight against increased imports are subsidies. Growers and industry leaders have said for years that the Mexican government provides subsidies to its producers. Farmers can afford to sell their produce at low prices or literally dump them in the U.S. if they are supported financially. University of Florida Associate …
Georgia Legislative Session Positive for Agribusiness
By Will Bentley The 2021 legislative session wrapped up in early spring with several priority issues of the Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) being passed and signed by the governor. Legislators, agency leaders, and the executive branch of state government work together with GAC and other ag-focused groups in order to better understand the issues that are being faced by Georgia’s …
UF/IFAS study links fertility, nutrient loss in organic soils to archaeal microbes
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — High nutrient loss in the Everglades Agricultural Area is not uncommon. University of Florida scientists now know why. In research conducted by assistant professor Willm Martens-Habbena and his team at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in collaboration with a team at the Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade, they demonstrate how high …
Irrigation Scheduling: Certain Strategies More Valuable Than Others
By Clint Thompson The best irrigation scheduling strategies can save vegetable farmers water and help maintain or increase yields, says Andre da Silva, Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crop Systems at Auburn University. He divides irrigation scheduling among six different ranks regarding implementation and effectiveness. Growers need to choose the best method to achieve the optimal results. The recommended methods are …
Cause for Concern: Blueberry Producers Be Wary of Algal Stem Blotch Disease
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producers need to stay vigilant in maintaining their blueberry bushes for the upcoming year, says Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida. One of the key diseases that growers need to protect against is algal stem blotch. It’s not a typical fungus disease so normal synthetic fungicides are not effective. …
Whitefly Time: Low Numbers Reported in Georgia
By Clint Thompson It is about that time of the summer that one insect becomes more noticeable for certain vegetable farmers and cotton producers. Right on cue, low whitefly infestations have been observed, explains University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks. “Phillip (Roberts) told me (the other day) that he had one person report some yesterday, but really, …