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The next big citrus event, hosted by AgNet Media, is about two months away. This year’s Florida Citrus Show with Specialty Crops is scheduled for Thursday, March 12 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Booth prices are still available for those vendors interested in attending. The standard exhibit space is $525, while the equipment exhibit space is $575. Space is limited, and …
Priorities for 2026: Navigating Trade, Policy and Elections By Mike Joyner Florida’s specialty crop producers and the wider agricultural industry continue to encounter significant challenges. This includes unfair trade, rising input costs and issues tied to both the cost and availability of labor. However, several emerging opportunities expected in 2026 may help drive meaningful change. In last year’s column, I …
By Clint Thompson Southeast watermelon producers who are pondering the use of grafted plants to combat fusarium wilt disease must remember that grafted plants have later maturity than regular plants. That’s a message that a panel, including Josh Freeman, regional sales manager with TriEst Ag Group, shared at the recent Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute in Fanning Springs, Florida. “Nobody knows …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop industry leaders from across Georgia, Alabama, Florida and the Carolinas attended the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference last weekend in Savannah, Georgia. One of those ag leaders in attendance was Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper. He discussed specialty crops in an interview with AgNet Media. “I think when you look at agriculture as a …
By Clint Thompson A new insecticide should provide vegetable growers another tool in the toolbox in managing certain pests. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, talked about Incipio and its potential impact on vegetable production in the Southeast. “A lot of it comes down to price as to how big of a role it will play. …
By Clint Thompson The Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference was bigger and better this year. Approximately 3,500 attendees and exhibitors flocked to Savannah, Georgia, this past weekend to learn about the latest trends and production practices impacting the different commodities being produced across the region. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked …
By Frank Giles With the start of the new year, many key specialty crops are already in full production with more to follow as spring arrives. Now is a good time to reinforce food-safety protocols on the farm from top to bottom, regardless of operation size. In 2025, there were only three multi-state foodborne illness outbreaks related to non-sprout produce …
By Clint Thompson It is the time of the year when Southeast grape producers are pruning their vines in preparation for a productive 2026 season. But there are management tips that growers must be mindful of before starting the pruning process. Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia (UGA) viticulture Extension specialist, discussed pruning in an interview with AgNet Media. “They want …
Cold-hardy citrus in the Southeast endured sub-freezing temperatures in mid-December, the second major freeze to impact the region this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed how this freeze impacted citrus trees and fruit in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. “We’re seeing some damage on younger trees that were probably planted …
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 …
