Greenhouse Lettuce Production Has Risks, Rewards

Web AdminAlabama, Leafy Vegetables, Top Posts

Greenhouse lettuce production has its risks and rewards in Alabama. Jeremy Pickens, Alabama Assistant Extension Professor in Horticulture at Auburn University, cautions producers to do their homework before diving headfirst into this potentially rewarding venture. “It’s a considerable amount of expense compared to field production. You just really need to know what you’re doing before you commit to it,” Pickens …

Identification Key in Managing Stink Bugs in Tomatoes

Web AdminFlorida, Pests, Tomatoes, Top Posts

Stink bugs are a diverse species that can wreak havoc on Florida’s tomato crop. With a piercing-sucking mouthpart, stink bugs pierce the fruit and suck out fluids. They also secrete enzymes while doing so, which damages the cells right under the skin of the fruit. This leads to little spots forming all over the fruit. It is more visible once …

Slow Start for Georgia Vidalia Onions

Web AdminGeorgia, Onion, Top Posts, Weather

It has been a tale of two winters for Georgia Vidalia onion producers. Last year’s abnormally mild winter was highlighted by warmer temperatures. This season has been characterized by wetter conditions and cooler temperatures. It has impacted the growth of the state’s onion crop so far this season, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the …

Enterprise Planning Budgets for Growers

Web AdminAgri-business, General, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Kimberly L. Morgan and Tara Wade Wanna go fishin’? Have you ever wondered why we don’t ask who wants to go catching fish? Entrepreneurial adventures in farming may be compared to the distinction between fishing and catching any fish at all, regardless of hours spent throwing out a line, varying techniques, bait types, pole qualities and past experiences at …

Sneak Peek: February 2021 VSCNews Magazine

Web AdminTop Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Ashley Robinson The February issue of VSCNews Magazine explores a variety of topics, including America’s changing farming landscape, onion disease management tips, nematode management strategies and tools for tomato production. Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service conducts a census. The 2017 Census of Agriculture captured in numbers what we see happening all around …

UF/IFAS Updates ABT Populations

Web AdminFlorida, Pests, Top Posts

According to UF/IFAS, high population densities of Asian Bean Thrips (ABT) continue to appear only in isolated locations. ABT populations have reached 1.0 per bloom early bloom plantings across multiple farms in southeastern Hendry County. In some cases, populations reached as high as 1.7 per bloom. Populations reached 8.5 per bloom in plantings within a week of harvest. It’s the …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

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-1/25/21 Posted on January 25, 2021 by Justin Ballew Coastal Rob Last reports, “Strawberry crops in the area are looking good with good crown development. We are seeing open flowers and some fruit set based …

Appointments Made to Georgia Wine and Grape Commission

Web AdminGeorgia, Grapes, Top Posts

Five Georgia wine producers have been appointed to serve on the Georgia Wine and Grape Commission. North Georgia Region – Eric Seifarth, Towns County; Central Georgia Region – Simone Bergese, Barrow County; South Georgia Region – Gary Paulk, Irwin County; Appointed as at large members – Gary Engal, Gilmer County and Eric Miller, White County.  Engal and Bergese will serve …

Phony Peach Prevalence in Southeast

Web AdminDisease, Georgia, Peaches, Top Posts

By Ashley Robinson Peach trees are plagued by several different diseases throughout the growing season. But one disease is causing noticeable losses within orchards in Georgia. Phony peach disease, caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, has been challenging for growers ever since its first detection in 1885 near Marshallville, Georgia. Recently, growers across the southeast have reported an increase in …