Making Muscadine Grapes More Desirable

Web AdminGrapes, Top Posts

By Jaci Schreckengost A Georgia specialty crop has seen increased interest and more research for varieties and management strategies. Cain Hickey, Extension viticulture specialist at the University of Georgia (UGA), said that some aspects of muscadine grapes are sparking grower interest. Since the muscadine grape has grown and evolved in the humid conditions of the southeastern United States, Hickey said …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

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. Midlands Phillip Carnley Pee Dee Christiana Huss Upstate Briana Naumuk Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming Project Underway …

Grape Producers Be Wary of SWD, Sour Rot

Web AdminAlabama, Grapes

By Clint Thompson Southeast grape producers should be mindful that the time is now to manage spotted wing drosophila (SWD) flies. Doing so will help suppress sour rot in grapes that are susceptible. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, noted in the UGA Extension Viticulture Blog, that the flies are active …

July 14 Deadline: USDA Reminds Producers to Apply for Pandemic, Natural Disaster Revenue Loss Programs

Web AdminUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds specialty crop producers of the July 14 deadline to apply for both the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two and the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). These revenue-based programs help offset revenue losses from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters or the COVID-19 pandemic.  Eligibility     To be eligible for ERP …

New Grape Grower Symposium This Saturday

Web AdminEvents, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Producers interested in learning how to grow grapes should make plans to attend a New Grape Grower Symposium on Saturday, June 24 at the Carroll County Agricultural Education Center in Carrollton, Georgia. The symposium is for those considering the process and those in the first few years of producing grapes. It could also serve as a refresher …

Muscadine Grape: Key to Sustainable Florida Viticulture

Web AdminGrapes, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Manjul Dutt and Ali Sarkhosh Native to Florida and the southeastern United States, the muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) is a lesser known relative of the European grape (descended from Vitis vinifera) that is popular worldwide for fruit consumption and wine production. A related species (Vitis munsoniana/Vitis rotundifolia var. munsoniana) is commonly present in the central and southern parts of …

ACRE Entrepreneurs Bring Innovation to Agriculture

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE), in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension, has awarded seven beginning entrepreneurs a share of $30,000 to help propel their agriculture businesses forward. Sixteen individuals or pairs participated in this year’s ACRE Curriculum, which guides beginning entrepreneurs through developing a business plan, marketing, finance, operational planning, …

SWD Management Key for Grape Producers

Web AdminAlabama, Georgia, Grapes, Pests, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson In his UGA Extension blog, Brett Blaauw, Assistant Professor in the University of Georgia Department of Entomology, alerted grape farmers that management for spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is approaching soon. SWD flies are active year-round but near veraison, as the brix levels in wine grapes reach 15 degrees Brix, the grapes become attractive and susceptible to SWD. …

UF/IFAS Study: Genetic Insights Could Lead to Machine Harvests of Muscadines, Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Grapes

A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study discovered new insights into how fruit detachment happens in muscadine grapes, paving the way for the possibility of mechanical harvesting. The research, aimed at reducing the high costs of manual labor associated with muscadine production, identified critical characteristics of the fruit’s genetics that make them easier to pluck …

Troxler Announces More Than $1.6 Million in Specialty Crop Research

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has announced that nine research projects, focusing on helping specialty crop growers, were awarded more than $1.16 million in specialty crop block grant funding. “Specialty crops offer great opportunities for North Carolina farmers and these projects have the potential to lead to better production recommendations for farmers and ultimately increased production,” Troxler …