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An extension of the current farm bill could be agreed upon this week, meaning a new one will not be in place until, at the earliest, late next year. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, introduced a continuing resolution (CR) this weekend to address the budget uncertainty and avoid a looming government shutdown. Included was the provision to extend the …
By Clint Thompson It would not be a strawberry season in South Florida if chilli thrips were not a nuisance for growers. But that appears to be the case again, according to one producer. “This year it seems like they’re moving into fields earlier,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve already put some sprays out …
High quality and low quantity are in store for this year’s cold-hardy citrus crop in eastern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Too many natural disasters negated the volume of this year’s crop load, according to Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. “We had a freeze, and then we had another freeze, and …
The Southeast remains dry, and the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor reflects the severity of the lingering drought that spans a couple of months. Most of Alabama is either severely dry or extremely dry. The worst conditions are isolated to the southern part of the state along the Alabama-Florida state line, and in northern Alabama, starting in Tuscaloosa …
By Clint Thompson Tailgating treats and insightful information highlighted Thursday’s Florida Ag Expo event. Specialty crop farmers and industry leaders flocked to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. Seminar sessions and field tours provided attendees valuable insight into how they can remain sustainable in crop production …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) remains optimistic that a new farm bill will be in place sooner rather than later. Even amid the delays with the election of a new Speaker of the House, Chris Butts, executive vice president of the GFVGA believes Mike Johnson’s election as the new speaker will help expedite the …
By Frank Giles Last month, we celebrated National Farmers’ Day. The day was recognized with the expected expressions of gratitude on social media and other platforms. But I also noted that a few used the day to raise the topic of the aging population of growers. The graying of the audience (myself included) doesn’t go unnoticed at the farm meetings …
Georgia pecan producers will remain frustrated at the current market prices being offered for this year’s crop. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, a few Desirable varieties, with a nut count of 45 to 46 and 53% meat yield, sold for about $1.85 per pound. Elliotts, with a nut count of 71 to 74 and 50% …
By Clint Thompson The lack of acclimation period between warm and extreme cold temperatures could detrimentally impact peach trees in the Southeast. Instead of temperatures gradually dropping over a period of time, they can drop rapidly over a period of just a couple of days. Last week was a perfect example. According to the University of Georgia (UGA) Weather Network, …
Due to increased fire risk, the North Carolina (N.C.) Forest Service has issued a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits for Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain and Transylvania counties effective 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, until further notice. “Several counties in Western North Carolina are currently in …
