Attention Strawberry Growers: ‘Alarm Bells’ for Neopestalotiopsis Disease

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson A disease that first impacted Florida strawberry fields in the 2018-2019 season is already causing trouble for next year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, is cautioning growers about the high potential risk for Neopestalotiopsis with plants originating from Prince Edward Island. “As many strawberry producers are aware, some nurseries are …

Growers Reminded About Dangers of Floodwaters

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Hurricane Debby’s recent trek through North Florida and South Georgia serves as a reminder about the dangers of floodwaters contacting fruits and vegetables in the field. With the potential for additional storms over the next couple of months, growers are reminded that any crop that is on the ground and comes in contact with floodwaters cannot be …

Dacthal Done: Onion Growers Lose Effective Herbicide

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Onion

By Clint Thompson Onion producers should be aware that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an emergency order suspending all uses of Dacthal. The order became effective on Aug. 7 and the herbicide can not be sold or used in any manner, according to Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia Extension weed scientist. “Even it’s sitting in your barn, you …

symposium

Symposium Unites Growers and Ag Industry Professionals

Dan CooperAgriculture, Events

The second annual Growing Together Symposium was hosted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in early August. The event was a forum for growers and agricultural industry professionals to learn about various business-related topics. Center director Kirsten Pelz-Stelinski welcomed attendees and noted the Apopka, Florida, facility is continuing its …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Pacific Tomato Growers Gets Grant to Enhance Labor

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson A $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection pilot grant program will continue to help Pacific Tomato Growers be a destination workplace for H-2A workers. “When we applied for the grant, we had an extensive list of things we were going to use it for. The H-2A program is …

Sweet Georgia Peaches a Hit with Growers, Customers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Peaches

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s peach producers are finally enjoying the fruits of their labor this year. “It’s good, it’s really hard to complain about this crop,” said North Georgia producer Drew Echols. “The flavor is great. There’s a lot of beautiful peaches.” Echols and other growers with a crop had reason to be smiling this harvest season. Last year’s crop …

Chilli Thrips Control: UF/IFAS Study Shows How Strawberry Growers Can Use Less Pesticides

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

Florida strawberry growers can use less pesticide and save money as they attempt to control chilli thrips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. An invasive pest in the southeastern United States, chilli thrips was introduced to the United States from Southeast Asia. The first report in Florida came in 1991 in Okeechobee County and …

Georgia Citrus Growers Pass Commodity Commission Market Order

Clint ThompsonCitrus, Georgia

Atlanta, Ga – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced on Friday that Georgia citrus growers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the marketing order proposed by the Georgia Citrus Commodity Commission. Established in 2023 to support Georgia’s burgeoning citrus industry, the Citrus Commodity Commission will collect a two-tenths-of-cent-per-pound assessment on marketed Georgia citrus. It will be used to fund research, education …

Alabama Peach Growers Enjoying Strong Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Peaches

Peach harvests are currently being held across the Southeast. Like neighboring Georgia, Alabama is experiencing a strong crop this year due to adequate chilling and the lack of a late-spring freeze event. AgNet Media’s Will Jordan spoke with Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, about this year’s peach crop. Sponsored …