The quantity was there to make Georgia’s 2020 pecan crop one of its best. However, the prices that farmers received per pound were well below average, as evidenced by the USDA Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2020 summary. Georgia produced 147.5 million pounds in 2020; more than double its output in 2019 (73 million) and in 2018 (70 million). The value …
Georgia Producer: Growing Hemp is Not an Easy Process
By Clint Thompson Growing hemp is not for the faint of heart. It’s expensive and labor intensive. The market bottomed out last year with excess production. For those Georgia producers growing hemp for the first time this spring, they best be ready for long, unpredictable days, believes Dougherty County hemp producer Harris Morgan. “Growing hemp is not an easy process. …
Auburn Economist Encourages Enrollment in CFAP 2
By Clint Thompson CFAP 2 remains an option for vegetable and specialty crop producers impacted by COVID-19. Growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama can take advantage of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program which is designed to aid producers who faced market disruptions because of the pandemic. “This is something that is in response to the pandemic that we’re facing and …
UF, Australia Collaborate on Tropical Fruit Research
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida Board of Trustees and Northern Territory of Australia have signed an agreement to increase the development of research projects and share technological knowledge on tropical crop production. It’s a win-win for both entities who are trying to enhance vanilla, mangoes and passionfruit in both countries, believes Alan Chambers, plant geneticist at UF/IFAS Tropical …
Plea for Help: Rubio, Colleagues Urge USTR to Safeguard American Seasonal Producers
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Austin Scott (R-GA), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), and Al Lawson (D-FL) led a bipartisan letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai urging her to work with members of Congress to implement immediate trade relief measures that safeguard American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits …
South Florida Remains Abnormally Dry
Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows sufficient moisture for most of Florida. But South Florida is still lacking precipitation. It remains abnormally dry with Collier County still in a moderate drought. The dry conditions extend as far north as Hendry County, Palm Beach County and Martin County. Two specific areas in Georgia remain abnormally dry. In the northwest …
Whitefly Populations High in South Florida
According to South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, whitefly populations are high in beans, squash, eggplants and tomato in Southwest Florida. As a result, Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus is high in most tomato fields. Older cucurbit and fruiting vegetables are experiencing especially high numbers. “Some growers report that they are worse than they have ever been while others claim …
Blueberry Research: UGA Establishes New Orchard Near Main Athens Campus
Research at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is devoted to helping blueberries continue to thrive as a “super food.” On April 26, UGA CAES Dean and Director Nick Place formally inaugurated the new blueberry orchard at the UGA Durham Horticulture Farm in Watkinsville, Georgia — a mere 10-minute drive from the main Athens …
Florida, Georgia Remain Two of Top Blueberry-Producing States
By Clint Thompson Two of the top blueberry-producing states remain Florida and Georgia. They continue to produce their share of blueberries, according to the USDA 2020 summary. Georgia was third in the country behind Washington and Michigan in harvested areas in 2020 with 16,000 acres, a decrease from 16,200 in 2019. Georgia also produced 4,640 pounds per acre. Florida produced …
North Alabama Producers Weathering Late-Season Freeze, Rains
By Clint Thompson Better now than a month from now. That’s the mindset Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers must have following a late-season frost that impacted the northern portion of the state two weeks ago. “(The frost) made people wait another week or so to set squash, some of their summer crops. That was one thing. We did see …