By Clint Thompson Strawberry production is underway across the Southeast. Though much of the region is in the midst of prolonged dry conditions, disease management figures to play a pivotal role for growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. One disease that producers need to be mindful of is phytophthora. Amid the overwhelming concerns farmers had about neopestalotiopsis prior to planting …
Market Confusion: Pecan Prices Low Despite Diminished Supply, Strong Demand
Crop markets usually operate on the law of supply and demand. That’s not the case with the current pecan market, however. Amid staggering crop losses to Georgia’s pecan crop following Hurricane Helene, along with continued strong demand, prices are devastatingly low for producers in the Southeast. “Morale is very low right now,” said Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension …
Georgia Citrus Crop Outlook Following Hurricane Helene
More than a month removed from Hurricane Helene, Georgia citrus growers have a better idea of the impact the devastating storm had on this year’s crop. All things considered, Georgia growers are fortunate with the fruit that is still left to be harvested, says Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association. “Everything we’ve heard so far is that …
USDA to Issue More Than $235 Million to Farmers Hit by Natural Disasters, Including Hurricane Milton
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing payments this week to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and about $92 million for livestock producers, nationwide, who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to 2022 qualifying drought and …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 Zack Snipes Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins
Disease Concerns for Georgia Growers
Not all citrus disease concerns center around huanglongbing (HLB). While HLB disease garners much of the headlines because of its devastation to Florida’s citrus crop, growers in the cold-hardy citrus region should be mindful of other diseases that can devastate a crop if left untreated. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, highlighted some of …
Nuseed Carinata Covers New Ground
Nuseed Carinata raises expectations as a superior alternative to fallow ground or conventional winter cover crops. It not only provides substantial agronomic benefits to your land, carinata also is harvested for use as a unique feedstock for certified, stainable biofuels, rewarding growers for the contract production of carinata grain for end-use markets. The Gold Standard in Cover Crops Nuseed Carinata invigorates …
Farmer Following Two Hurricanes: It’s A Lot to Take
By Clint Thompson One major hurricane is enough to devastate a farming operation. How about two in less than a two-week span? It’s enough to rattle any specialty crop producer. L&M Family Farms has farming operations throughout Florida and one in Georgia. It was hit hard by Hurricane Helene when it moved through North Florida and South Georgia on Sept. …
USDA Under Secretary Moffitt Highlights Investments in Organic Agriculture
Portland, Ore. — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt attended the National Organic Standards Board fall meeting to highlight USDA’s investment in and support of the nation’s organic agricultural industry. USDA’s programs are opening new market opportunities for farmers, expanding consumer access to organic foods and helping producers take home a …
UF/IFAS Supports Florida After Hurricanes Helene, Milton
Despite some having their own homes without power or damaged in the wake of Hurricane Helene, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) faculty and staff across North Florida readied themselves as an Incident Command Post was established at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds. “Our Extension agents got to work quickly, helping farmers put up fences, clear debris …