 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Lakeland, FL — The National Watermelon Association (NWA) extends its congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Secretary of Agriculture. “As an organization deeply rooted in serving the interests of American farmers, we are encouraged by Ms. Rollins’ stated commitment to championing the needs of rural communities and agriculture producers,” said George …
Horticultural imports from Mexico increased from $3.9 billion to $19.7 billion, from 2000 to 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. It equates to an annual growth rate of 7.3% and speaks to the concerns Southeast specialty crop producers have about increased imports from other countries. Mexico’s horticultural exports were mostly bound for the U.S., accounting …
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s pecan yields for this season are almost impossible to predict. Between increased plantings over the past decade and hurricane damage sustained from Helene this year, there is no good way to estimate this year’s crop, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. “We know what the acreage is, but it’s hard to predict …
By Clint Thompson President-elect Donald Trump’s plan to deport illegal immigrants will have ramifications for the country’s specialty crop producers. The fruit and vegetable sector utilizes more labor than most and is more reliant on an international work force. If Trump follows through on one of his campaign promises, it would mean fewer workers for Ag employers across the country, …
U.S. agricultural exports are forecast at $170 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2025, an increase of $500 million from the August forecast. Ag imports in FY 2025 are forecast at $215.5 billion, an increase of $3.5 billion from the August forecast and $9.3 billion more than the $206.2 billion recorded in FY 2024. These latest forecasts are according to the …
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Pee Dee Christiana Huss Brittney King
The most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline indicates whitefly pressure to be low in the region, except for some fields in Southwest Florida and in Homestead, Florida. Scouts reported increasing population levels in the Immokalee area in various crops, including low to moderate levels in tomatoes, watermelon, eggplant, squash and cucumbers. Whitefly numbers are low …
By Clint Thompson Hurricane Milton delivered a blow to Florida’s strawberry industry when it moved through the state on Oct. 9. One grower is hopeful for financial assistance to offset growing input costs into this year’s crop. “We’re roughly on average $3,500 an acre over-invested into this crop, just from the cleanup efforts and redoing things. We’re more invested than …
By Clint Thompson Registration is currently underway for the Southeast (SE) Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2025 in Savannah, Georgia. The three-day event is catered to specialty crop producers in the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), talked about …
MACON, Ga. – Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members will gather on Jekyll Island Dec. 8-10 for the organization’s 87th annual convention. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and inspirational speaker Nick Parker are scheduled to address convention attendees during the general session on Dec. 9 between 8:15 a.m. and …
