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By Kenneth Parker Committed Florida Strawberry Industry Back on Track For over a century, eastern Hillsborough County has been the cornerstone of the Florida strawberry industry. Today, the industry spans nearly 15,000 acres and contributes more than $1.5 billion to the local economy in eastern Hillsborough alone. The industry is composed of 65 farm families, many of whom have been …
Rainfall a Difference Maker in Some Alabama Pecan Orchards By Clint Thompson The Alabama pecan crop is harvested and being processed, mostly for the retail market. Those that received more rainfall this year experienced increased yields compared to those that didn’t, says Bran Futral, Alabama Pecan Growers Association president. “I’ll tell you that central and North Alabama probably didn’t do …
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s recent revelation that the spotted lanternfly has been observed in Georgia should have the Southeast region’s grape producers on high alert. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discussed the insect’s potential threat to the grape industry. “Unlike the brown marmorated stink bug, …
By Clint Thompson Strawberry plantings had not even begun this fall when alarm bells were ringing about the potential impact of Neopestalotiopsis disease in this year’s crop. While the disease has a history in Southeast strawberry fields dating back to 2018, the concern this year stemmed from its presence in plug plants at nursery sources in Canada. It prompted Phil …
By Clint Thompson Rainfall accumulation was minimal during the fall season for specialty crop producers in North Alabama. It is starting to improve, however, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “We’ve got about 2 ½ inches over the last three weeks or so. I would say it’s brought pond levels up, maybe three or four inches,” …
By Clint Thompson Chill hours in Georgia are ahead of where they were last year at this point in the season. That’s positive news for the state’s peach producers who need cooler temperatures to make next year’s crop. According to the University of Georgia Weather Network, Byron, Georgia, received 241.5 chill hours from Nov. 10 to Dec. 16, compared to …
Billie Rooney and her husband, Scott, operate a 40-acre farm near Live Oak, Florida, where they grow blueberries, blackberries and sunflowers and raise livestock. Farming is a second career for the Rooneys. So, they had a lot to learn. She and hundreds of other farmers and ranchers across Florida can attest to the importance of lessons learned from any of …
Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …
Florida’s new Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) is $16.23 and will become effective Dec. 30. It marks a 10% increase from the previous year’s rate of $14.77. The AEWR increases are part of the reason, the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), along with other industry organizations, submitted a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack this week. The …
WASHINGTON, DC — In response to ongoing negotiations on the farm bill extension and economic aid to producers, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) issued the following statement: ”America’s farmers have lost over $30 billion this year. And for the last few months we have led many …
