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By Clint Thompson Georgia’s watermelon harvests are expected to pick up this week amid an unfortunate market decline for the region’s watermelon growers. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, discussed the status of the watermelon crop in his region. He believes the lack of rain in some areas impacted the crops, …
Alabama blueberry growers should mark their calendars for Tuesday, June 10. That is when Alabama Extension will hold its Blueberry Management Workshop at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, Alabama. The workshop will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. Those attending the workshop will learn about the top cultivars available for commercial production, pruning tips, fertilization …
Mind Your Melon recently hosted an event at Southern Hill Farms in Clermont, Florida, to share some insights on a mental health survey and to inform attendees about future plans for the program. Marshal and Taylor Sewell founded Mind Your Melon to raise awareness of mental health issues among farmers and others involved in agriculture. Marshal’s father took his life …
By Clint Thompson Spring vegetable season is in full swing in South Georgia. Vegetable farmers are managing pests and diseases that are challenging this year’s crops. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted pests that have been a challenge this year for producers, including one in particular. “I think thrips have been a problem this spring. …
By Steve Troxler Spring is one of my favorite times of year as early crops begin to emerge and one of my personal favorites — strawberries — enter their peak growing season in North Carolina. Strawberry season is also a reminder of the agronomic testing services the North Carolina Department of Agriculture offers to growers. This includes soil testing, nematode …
The June issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights peach production throughout the Southeast. Research plots at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, focus on peach production in high-density orchards. The research includes increased trees per acre, higher yields and automation to handle more of the manual …
By Clint Thompson Peach season is underway in Alabama. One grower has high hopes for this year’s crop, which could last into September. “It’s a heavy crop. We had to do a lot of thinning. I think we did okay with that. Peaches are on the trees, and now it’s our job to take care of them,” said Mike Reeves …
This is the second in a two-part series on the disease and UF/IFAS research. By Clint Thompson A research team led by plant pathologists with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has found the pathogen that causes bacterial spot in tomatoes has multiple genetic variations. Gary Vallad, a plant pathology professor at the Gulf Coast …
COLUMBIA – Thirteen entrepreneurs will share $200,000 in funding for their agribusiness ventures through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE). Finalists for ACRE’s Advanced Entrepreneurship Program were scored by a panel of judges based on their business plans, a five-minute video presentation and a demonstrated history of business success. They are: Under the leadership of …
Fruit in the cold-hardy citrus region is expected to be in short supply next season due to the trees’ alternate bearing cycle. The fruit also could be too large to sell, creating another concern for growers heading into next season. “Trees with a low crop load tend to have large fruit,” noted Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor …
