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WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the second round of Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grants, which will allocate $300 million to 67 partners once all legal and administrative requirements are satisfied, expanding American food and agricultural exports in emerging global markets. This latest investment brings total RAPP funding to $600 million in 2024. The new …
By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures this winter would be a positive development for the region’s peach producers, says Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. It would help manage the pest populations, including borers and stink bugs; any insect that overwinters. “If there’s not food when they’re going into their overwintering, …
By Clint Thompson Paper mulch research continues to yield results that would benefit North Florida watermelon growers, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. He spoke with AgNet Media about the ongoing research during the recent Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting. “The paper mulch project has …
By Clint Thompson Last fall was the warmest on record for the United States. November was the second warmest on record for earth. More temperature records are likely to be set in the near future, believes Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “It’s not surprising that we’ve been setting records for warm temperatures because the temperature trends are …
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that the USDA is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for farmers and lower food costs for consumers. It includes Georgia. “When we invest in domestic supply chains, we drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” Vilsack said. “Through today’s …
By Clint Thompson Watermelon growers in Florida’s Suwanee Valley Region are a little more than two months away from planting next season’s crop. There’s plenty to think about and consider heading into next season, says Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agent in Levy County. He discussed next year’s growing season during the …
By Clint Thompson Irrigation automation is not yet a widely adopted practice among Florida watermelon growers in the Suwanee Valley region. Tyler Pittman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gilchrist County Extension agent, hopes that trend will soon change. He moderated a grower panel at the recent Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting in Fanning Springs, Florida, on …
By Clint Thompson The spotted lanternfly is currently not in a Georgia county that’s heavy into grape production. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, wants to keep it that way. Part of Georgia grape producers’ defense against the invasive species is reporting it every time it is observed. Industry experts …
Fresh vegetable imports increased significantly over the past two decades. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report, the percent of availability accounted for by imports in fresh vegetable increased substantially from 2000 to 2023. In 2023, the import share of fresh-market availability was 35.2%, down from the peak of 35.4% in 2022 but …
By Frank Giles Chilli thrips have been a thorn in blueberry growers’ side for several years, but the pest is now growing an appetite for strawberries. With a host range of more than 200 plants, chilli thrips has plenty of options to sustain populations and spread to other areas. In strawberries, the pest can strike early in the season and …
