 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers using the H-2A program for a reliable labor force, must now put July 1 on their calendars as an important date for their farming operations. As opposed to Jan. 1 when the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) could spike under the old Farm Labor Survey (FLS), AEWR changes could now happen mid-season under the …
(Washington, D.C.) – As committed to under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Farm Security Action Plan (PDF, 1.2 MB) U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced a number of coordinated actions that emphasize American agricultural research and innovation by ensuring ideas stay in America or among our allies, not with hostile nations. These historic actions strengthen …
By Clint Thompson Georgia peach growers will be interested to know that current chill hours throughout the state remain on par with previous years, according to the UGA Weather Network. In Byron, Georgia, located in the central part of the state, there were 437.5 chill hours recorded from Nov. 1, 2025, to Jan. 5, compared to 420.25 last year and …
By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show is about a month away for industry enthusiasts and specialty crop growers in the region. Those interested in attending should remember that regular registration will end Jan. 19. The cost for regular registration is $225. The last day to cancel and receive a refund …
By Clint Thompson The emergence of neopestalotiopsis disease in Southeast strawberries has forced growers to manage their crops differently compared to previous years. Take Florida producer Dustin Grooms for instance. Grooms, who grows strawberries with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, had to recently consider the disease’s impact against managing the crop amid plunging temperatures. “We had some cold weather …
Drought remains prevalent across the Southeast region, according to the Dec. 31 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate drought encompasses most of Alabama and Georgia and all of North Florida and into the southern part of the state. Some areas are experiencing worse conditions. Georgia Extreme conditions are observed in South Georgia, in parts of Decatur, Grady, Thomas and …
Whitefly populations remain closely watched in southern Florida. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, scouts report pressure in Southwest Florida vary by location and crop stage, though overall population levels are moderate and increasing. Elevated nymph populations are observed in older tomato fields. Whiteflies remain low in most conventional watermelon and tomato fields. Organic vegetables are experiencing …
By Clint Thompson Cost reduction is near the top of watermelon farmers’ priority lists heading into the 2026 season. It was the subject of a presentation at the recent Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute in Fanning Springs, Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, was one of …
The best time to prepare is before a crisis, not during one. In this month’s sneak peek, the January issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights food safety and the different protocols that farming operations should have in place from top to bottom. Maile Gradison, a partner with Hogan Lovells, a Washington DC-based law firm, has experience with the Food …
For Southeastern sweet corn growers, the fight against lepidopteran pests can be a nearly nonstop battle during critical parts of the season. To control these worms, it is not uncommon for sprays to be made daily during ear fill and the harvest window. Syngenta has a portfolio of sweet corn varieties that will help growers ease their lepidopteran management programs. …
