By Clint Thompson Vegetable and specialty crop prices are down for most commodities, except watermelon. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said he heard last week that watermelon prices were holding at about 20 cents per pound. That’s encouraging news for producers heading into this week’s Fourth of July weekend. “Mid-June, …
Focus on Technology: GFVGA to Host Webinar in July
The Georgia Fruit Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will host a webinar in July, focused on precision agriculture and technology in the produce industry. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, July 13 at 1 p.m. Click here to register. In order to combat the rising costs of inputs, increased imports and labor regulations, growers need to focus on technology to …
Tropical Storm Elsa: Could Make Landfall by Early Next Week
An already rainy summer for Southeast vegetable and specialty crop producers could get wetter next week. According to the University of Georgia Extension Climate and Agriculture Blog, Tropical Storm Elsa is in the Atlantic Ocean and could head for the Gulf of Mexico this weekend. While potential landfalls range from Texas to North Carolina, the Southeast appears to be in …
San Jose Scale: Manage Peach Pest Now
By Clint Thompson A persistent pest of peaches is expected to once again be a nuisance. This summer provides a couple of ideal targeting periods for growers to manage San Jose Scale. Producers should try to target the San Jose Scale crawlers now and then again in late July to early August. They are the most vulnerable during these time …
Organic Herbicide Options
By Ruby Tiwari and Ramdas Kanissery Organic growers in Florida fight weeds throughout the year, as it is one of their significant challenges in production (Figure 1). Organic producers typically use various mechanical and cultural methods like tillage, cultivation, hand-weeding, mulching, etc., to keep weeds in check on their farms. While there is a general conception that there is no …
Dissipating Drought: Recent Rains Bring Sufficient Moisture to Southeast
A wet June has help alleviate some of the drought being experienced across the Southeast, according to Thursday’s updated release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. This is especially true for South Florida, a region that has been challenged with dry conditions for some time. Currently, only a few counties are experiencing abnormally dry conditions. These include the majority of Miami-Dade …
Laurel Wilt Disease: Major Problem Impacting Florida’s Avocado Industry
By Clint Thompson The largest produced tropical fruit in Florida is enduring a disease that is having similar impact that Greening is having on the state’s citrus industry. Avocados, which are produced on approximately 1,500 acres in South Florida, are being severely impacted by laurel wilt disease. “It seems like as it’s getting worse and worse,” said Alan Chambers, plant …
University Research: Farm-Related Injuries More Common Than Initially Thought
By Clint Thompson Agriculture-related injuries are not uncommon. But they may be more prevalent than you might think. More than 60,000 people were treated in emergency departments across the U.S. for non-fatal, agricultural-related injuries, based off Penn State research from 2015 to 2019.. “It’s well-known that farming and forestry are two of the most hazardous occupations. From that perspective, it’s …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update Coastal Rob Last reports, “Peaches and blackberries are coming to harvest with good quality and volumes. As yet we are not seeing any issues with spotted-winged drosophila. Vigilance will be required as this pest can …
Downy Mildew Alert: Watermelon Disease Found in Two South Carolina Counties
Downy mildew disease was found on watermelon this week in two South Carolina counties – Allendale and Barnwell – according to The South Carolina Grower. This is especially concerning, since it reduces sugar content once 25% are infected. All watermelons should be sprayed with a fungicide effective against downy mildew. Gavel, Ranman and Elumin are the least expensive fungicide choices. …