By Clint Thompson One Clemson Extension vegetable pathologist has observed downy mildew disease and fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveneum disease on his research plots and cautions vegetable growers in South Carolina to be on the lookout for both. “This is strictly based on observations from my research plots here in Charleston. I have not been out to any commercial fields,” …
Keeping Spotted-Wing Drosophila Under Control
By Ashfaq Sial Since its first detection in 2008, spotted-wing drosophila (SWD) has emerged as a devastating pest of berry and cherry crops throughout the United States. IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT Male SWD have dark spots on the outer margins of their wings. Female SWD have saw-like ovipositors used to cut the skin of ripe or ripening fruit and deposit eggs …
Light Scab Disease Reported in Pecan Orchards
By Clint Thompson It is only May, but University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells is optimistic about this year’s crop. “It looks great right now as far as crop load and the light disease pressure. Everything’s pretty clean. Everything looks great so far,” Wells said. “I just hope we can get them to harvest. We’ve got a long …
Ag Commissioner Gary Black Announces Georgia Grown To-Go Program
As part of the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s (GDA) “Buy Georgia Grown, Now More Than Ever” campaign, Georgia Grown is partnering with local governments to connect produce farmers directly to consumers in highly populated areas. Georgia Grown To-Go is a series of pop-up markets, primarily in metro Atlanta, that will give customers an opportunity to purchase fresh produce directly from farmers with …
Why Consumers Reach for 100% Orange Juice in Time of Crisis
We don’t know what the full impact of COVID-19 will be on our industry yet, but early indicators show OJ has a favored status in Americans’ hearts.
Clemson Extension Agent: South Carolina Produce Farmers Enjoying Good Spring
By Clint Thompson South Carolina’s produce season is producing sweet results with its farmers. Clemson Extension Commercial Horticulture agent Justin Ballew said fruit and vegetable farmers in the Palmetto State are enjoying a strong spring season so far. “For the most part, we’re having a good spring. We’re in the last month of strawberry season and we’ve had a decent …
Grape Producers Need To Tissue Sample Their Crop
By Clint Thompson The time is now for grape producers to tissue sample their crop, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. In doing so, growers can make any modifications to impact this year’s crop. “If you go ahead and get the sample now, you can do something about it. You can actually impact this year’s …
UF/IFAS Appoints Interim Director of Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
By: Lourdes Rodriguez, 954-577-6363 office, 954-242-8439 mobile, rodriguezl@ufl.edu DAVIE, Fla. – Jack Rechcigl has been appointed as interim Center Director of the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS FLREC). On May 12, Rechcigl stepped in to oversee the operations and research at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, previously led by retiring center director Robin …
More Questions Than Answers With Respect to CFAP
By Clint Thompson The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has brought more questions than answers with respect to financial aid for growers in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The $19 billion program includes $16 billion in direct payments for farmers and ranchers. CFAP has payment restrictions of $125,000 per commodity and a total of $250,000 per applicant for all …
Produce Market Ripening With Success for Some Vegetables
By Clint Thompson The produce market is ripening with success for some commodities. Prices are incredibly high for some vegetables, while others are still struggling to compete with imports from Mexico, says Tift County farmer Bill Brim. The co-owner of Lewis Taylor Farms said watermelons, round tomatoes and cabbage are three commodities really doing well for farmers right now. “I …