By Frank Giles It has become standard practice when new presidential administrations of opposing political parties come to office that a raft of executive orders are signed to undo actions of the previous administration. People in various sectors often look to these executive orders to roll back regulations that might be burdensome to their businesses. That’s true in agriculture, and …
Whiteflies Moving Northward in Alabama
By Clint Thompson Whiteflies are slowly migrating north through Alabama. It’s a concern for vegetable growers who are not used to managing the pest and now must implement control measures to prevent impact, especially with the viruses they can vector. Andre da Silva, Extension specialist and associate professor of horticulture at Auburn University, highlighted the pest during his presentation at …
South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Whitefly Populations Increasing
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly pressure is worsening in two areas in southern Florida. Scouts and farmers reported low population levels of whiteflies in beans in Southwest Florida and moderate levels overall. Population levels were increasing before temperatures started to dampen and cool off. However, populations are expected to increase since warmer temperatures have returned. …
UGA Offering Pesticide Applicator Training in Spanish
The University of Georgia (UGA) Pesticide Safety Program is now offering updated private pesticide applicator training in both English and Spanish. Applicators seeking a private pesticide license can now complete the training in their preferred language. This updated training is part of UGA’s continued support for all producers and agriculture professionals, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of …
Management Options for Neopestalotiopsis in Strawberry Fields
By Clint Thompson Southeast strawberry growers’ first line of defense against Neopestalotiopsis is to plant clean plants. For those producers that have the disease in their fields, there are management options available, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Depending on the amount of infection you have, if it’s a relatively low level, you can …
Protect Citrus Trees Post-Freeze With Fungicide
By Clint Thompson Growers in the cold-hardy citrus region should consider a fungicide application following snow last week and multiple days of running irrigation for freeze irrigation. That advice comes from Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, on the heels of historic snowfall recorded across the Southeast. “I’ve heard some people having up to 10 inches of …
Commissioner Simpson Launches Loan Program for Florida Farmers Impacted by Winter Storm
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced this week that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by the recent winter storm can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can use loans to restore, repair or replace essential physical property — including fences, equipment, greenhouses, …
Sneak Peek: February 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
The cover story of the February issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine focuses on Georgia specialty crop producer Justin Corbett. He highlights what has made the Corbett Brothers Farms so successful in Lake Park, Georgia. Corbett Brothers continues to thrive in an agricultural era dominated by increased input costs and seasonal imports. The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) remains a …
Georgia’s 2024 Net Farm Income Down 42%
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s net farm income is likely to decrease 42% compared to 2023. That was the underlying message shared by Gopinath (Gopi) Munisamy, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Marketing at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, during UGA’s recent Ag Forecast event. Hurricane Helene’s lingering impact on the state remains significant with the spring …
UGA Climatologist: Winter Storm Generational Event in Southeast
By Clint Thompson The cold temperatures and historic snowfall recorded throughout the Southeast last week was a generational event, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “Clearly, we don’t get these every day and it’s probably a good thing. Some of the locations set daily records for snowfall, so for them it was unusual,” Knox said. …