By Clint Thompson Demand remains strong for Georgia’s fruits and vegetables. That’s the good news, believes Gopinath (Gopi) Munisamy, Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Marketing at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The challenge is determining how growers can capitalize amid rising labor expenses and increasing imports from other countries. He highlighted the specialty crop sector …
Incorporating Grilled Vegetables in July 4 Cookouts
This July 4 should not just be about grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. Vegetables can work just fine on the outdoor grill, says Sandy Proctor, Extension food expert with Kansas State University. She discussed the idea of cooking fresh veggies this holiday season. “I think grilled vegetables are really an opportunity to show what you can do on the grill …
Grilled Vegetables: Another Option for July 4 Cookouts
This July 4 should not just be about grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. Vegetables can work just fine on the outdoor grill, says Sandy Proctor, Extension food expert with Kansas State University. She discussed the idea of cooking fresh veggies this holiday season. “I think grilled vegetables are really an opportunity to show what you can do on the grill …
Upon Further Review: Vegetables Hammered by Cold Temperatures
By Clint Thompson A week removed from one of the worst freeze events in recent memory in the Southeast, vegetable growers are resigned to the reality their crops were devastated by consecutive days of sub-freezing temperatures. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, talks about the devastation, most notably in green production. …
Upcoming Sub-Freezing Temperatures Should Impact Southeast Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Sub-freezing temperatures in the forecast for this weekend could impact winter vegetable crops in the Southeast. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses the impact that growers in Alabama and Georgia could see beginning Friday night. “If it stays below freezing for a whole day, that’s going to …
Nutrition Standards Change Increased Fruits, Vegetables in School Meals
From National Association of Farm Broadcasters A change in the school meal nutrition standards in 2012 was a win for the specialty crop industry. It spurred changed in the type of foods that schools purchased, which increased fruits and vegetables. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released data on Monday that shows following the change in standards, schools …
Assessing Hurricane Ian’s Impact on Florida Vegetables
By Frank Giles Hurricane Ian will have far reaching impacts on Florida agriculture. An initial estimate released by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) puts farm losses at between $787 million and $1.56 billion. The storm brought hurricane-strength winds to nearly 1.2 million acres agricultural lands in Florida. Vegetable growers are reporting varying degrees of …
Giant Pestiferous Lizards a Threat to Fruits and Vegetables in South Georgia
By Rick Lavender for CAES News Warming temperatures will have tegus on the move in southeast Georgia. Residents and farmers are asked to report sightings of tegus, alive or dead. This is needed to keep the big, South American lizards from gaining a foothold in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These reptiles, the largest …
Whiteflies Impacting South Florida Vegetables
According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, adult whiteflies are in abundance in melons, eggplant, tomatoes and peppers around the Immokalee, Florida area. Immature whiteflies are active in older plantings. Wind, rain and cold temperatures knocked them back for a few days, but are expected to worsen again once temperatures improve. Whiteflies are present in pepper, tomato and …
Effects of Heavy Rain on Pre-Emergent Herbicides in Vegetables
By Ruby Tiwari, Nirmal Timilsina and Ramdas Kanissery Heavy rainfall received in vegetable-growing regions of Florida frequently creates standing water in fields (Figure 1). These farms are often in an early or mid-growing season during such severe weather events. Pre-emergent (residual) herbicides that are integral to vegetable production to suppress weed emergence are applied during this period. Most pre-emergent herbicides …