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By Frank Giles Brassica crops have become an important crop in the Southeast. When it comes to disease management, black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) is one of the biggest problems that growers fight. Black rot can affect all major brassica crops, including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, collards and kale. The disease causes the most damage in the leafy …
By Clint Thompson A costly but effective option for watermelon producers hoping to overcome fusarium wilt disease is the use of Carolina Strongback rootstock. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Extension vegetable pathologist, spoke about the rootstock during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. He talked about its success in research trials on the UGA Tifton Campus. “This is our …
By Clint Thompson It is time for an important management practice for grape producers in the Southeast. Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia viticulture Extension specialist, discussed the importance of pruning and what strategies growers should consider when managing their vines. “It’s one of the most important practices that you’ll do. It will set your crop potential for the following year,” …
Drought-like conditions still persist in areas across the Southeast. But they are mostly concentrated to the northern counties of Alabama and Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s dry conditions range from abnormally dry to severely dry. The driest area is located in the northeastern part of the state, in counties like Blount, Saint Clair, Marshall, Etowah and Dekalb. …
Pecan production was down this past season, especially in the Southeast, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service. Utilized production decreased by 6%, compared to 2022, totaling 271 million pounds. Bearing acreage was estimated at 441,000, also a decrease from the prior season. The average yield was 616 pounds per acre, down 36 pounds from the …
You ask most Southwest Florida farmers who they turn to for science-based agricultural information, and they’ll say, “Gene McAvoy.” It’s no accident the growers know him. “When I first started to work in Southwest Florida, I would just ride around and cold-call visit farmers,” said McAvoy, now a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agent …
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 Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Andy Rollins
By Clint Thompson South Florida strawberries are almost in peak season. For one grower, his volume should be in place to satisfy the potential increased demand. “We’ve got a lot of fruit sitting out there. I’ve probably got 2,000 flats sitting on the bush right now, sitting there, per acre,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which shows that over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains. The PDP …
Tickets are on sale for the annual Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame banquet, which will honor three inductees who have made invaluable contributions to Florida agriculture. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 13. The banquet celebrates the accomplishments of industry leaders who have served in research, education and business. This year’s event will be …
