Drought’s Impact on Peach Trees in the Fall

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Zero to minimal rainfall across Georgia over the past month should prompt the state’s peach producers to implement an essential management strategy. Though peach season has come and gone and with the trees nearing dormancy, growers must consider their trees’ water needs amid the current drought. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources …

N.C. State Fair Announces ’25 Farm Families of the Day

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

The “Farm Family of the Day” program, sponsored by Tractor Supply Company, is returning for its fifth year to recognize and celebrate more of North Carolina’s (N.C.) rich agricultural heritage and the farm families that are behind our $111.1 billion agriculture and agribusiness industry. The 11 farm families were nominated either by family or community members for their hard work and dedication …

weeds

The Relationship Between Snails and Weeds Needs Research

Dan CooperPests, Weed Management

The preference of Bulimulus bonariensis snails to feed on weeds in citrus groves does not necessarily imply that increased weed management will lead to a reduction in pest populations. This relationship requires further research by Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor and entomologist. “It’s something I think we really need to look …

UGA Climatologist: Even for Fall, It’s Been Drier Than Usual

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates dry conditions worsening and expanding across the Southeast, especially in Alabama, Georgia and North Florida. It is also not a surprising development since this is the dry time of year, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist. “It is the driest time of …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Optimizing Key Production Tools in Plastic Mulch Crops

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Many specialty crops grown in the Southeast rely on plasticulture systems to optimize production. Key components of those systems include the mulch itself and other elements such as stakes utilized in crops like tomato and pepper. Paper Mulch For years, growers and agricultural researchers have studied ways to reduce waste in these systems to lessen costs and environmental impacts. Some …

How Dry Is It? North Alabama Farmers in ‘Water Conservation Mode’

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The prolonged dry conditions in Northeast Alabama has forced the region’s fruit and vegetable growers to preserve what moisture remains in the ground, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “For the month of August, everybody was just kind of riding it out. They hadn’t worked any ground, because they’re trying to let it …

Drying Up: Rain Needed for Vegetable Production

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Prolonged periods of dry weather are not the worst thing for specialty crop growers. Most will say they prefer to apply their own water instead of having too much rainfall. It minimizes the disease pressure that producers have to manage. But there is such a scenario where a little rain would be welcomed, says Ty Torrance, University …

Hear Me Out: Grimmway Farms Leader Testifies During House Committee on Ag Hearing

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The House Committee on Agriculture’s special hearing on the State of the Specialty Crop Industry last week allowed various industry leaders to tout its importance and how legislative help is essential to the industry’s future. One of those who testified was Dana Brennan, vice president, corporate affairs with Grimmway Farms. She highlighted how legislative leaders can help …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Expo Provides Plethora of Educational Presentations

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles, Tacy Callies and Clint Thompson This year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa provided an extensive seminar program and various opportunities for growers to network with their peers. Educational programming focused on industry issues, citrus production, specialty crops and alternative crops. General Session The event’s general session touched on various topics like the farm economy, labor …

Thresholds a Non-Factor in Whitefly Management

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Whitefly management in the Southeast is not predicated on thresholds; how many whiteflies can a vegetable plant tolerate before insecticides need to be applied. Growers know they will encounter the insect pest, so thresholds won’t matter. Management involves more preventative measures, says Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. Sparks was part of a panel …