Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update-5/3/21 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Botrytis (gray mold) is evident in places following rainfall. Sanitation and removal of the infected berries are critical to reducing inoculum loading. Fungicide applications will also be required to prevent spore …
Green Bean Prices Could Stay High
Green bean prices are high, says one Florida vegetable farmer. They could remain that way, depending on how Georgia’s crop looks amid a wet winter and early spring. Since the crop does not prefer a lot of rainfall, it could be limited in Georgia, says Alan Jones, who produces potatoes, green beans in citrus in Manatee County, Florida. “Green beans …
How Citrus Growers Can Stay on Top of Fruit Drop
HLB exacerbates this problem that has plagued yields in recent years.
Georgia Farmer: I Just Hope We Make it Through it
Producers Discuss Impact of Pallet Shortage Never in his many years of farming did Georgia vegetable producer Jaime Patrick ever envision a scenario in which he would lack pallets to ship his produce. It’s never been a problem … until now. “You just call, and they send them to you,” said Patrick, who farms in Omega, Georgia. “I never thought …
Input Costs Rising for Vegetable Farmers
It comes as no surprise to farmers that input prices have increased in recent years. What may be eye-opening is how much expenses like fertilizer costs and gas prices are expected to go up this year. According to the USDA Vegetable and Pulses Outlook: April 2021, growers should expect to pay for most of the inputs required to produce, pack …
Pallet Shortage: Farmers, Industry Leaders Express Concern About Potential Impact
Southeast vegetable growers didn’t need another obstacle to overcome this spring. This latest challenge might be their toughest yet. Growers and industry leaders have confirmed a major pallet shortage across the country. Pallets are instrumental in a grower’s ability to ship their product from the farm to the store. Charles Hall, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers …
Good Food and Good Times at the FSGA Field Day
By Ashley Robinson Strawberry growers and industry leaders gathered for the fifth annual Florida Strawberry Growers Association (FSGA) Tailgate and Field Day event on Wednesday. The event, held in conjunction with the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Balm, Florida started with a morning tailgate party. Tailgaters munched on fried gator tail, Italian sausage, beef …
Johnson & Johnson: Vaccine Resumption Key for Agricultural Workers
By Clint Thompson The resumption of Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot vaccine is a key development for agricultural workers to stay healthy during COVID-19. During a time of the season when workers’ availability is needed the most, the convenience of being able to take just one shot cannot be understated. “There’s certainly a convenience in getting the one shot. I think …
Medium or Jumbo? Your Choice in Vidalia Onions This Season
Vidalia onion harvests are in full swing across South Georgia. It appears consumers will have their pick between medium and jumbo size onions, says Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia. “I think as an industry, from the onions I’ve seen and talked with other growers, everybody’s naturally pleased about the weather and the quality that …
How to Stay HLB Free in North Florida, South Georgia Citrus
Temperatures are increasing across Florida. Unfortunately, so is the risk for citrus greening disease. While the southern and central portions of the state remain vulnerable to Huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening, and Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) – the vectors that cause the most economically damaging citrus disease in the world – growers in North Florida and South Georgia are still …