Legislative Victory: One Big Beautiful Win for Specialty Crops

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The One Big Beautiful Bill is a one big beautiful win for specialty crops. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), highlighted the recently passed legislation, which will impact fruit and vegetable growers across the Southeast. “I think there are some very good provisions included in the bill for important initiatives, …

Farm Security is National Security

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

(Washington, D.C.) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced this week the next pillar of her Make Agriculture Great Again initiative: USDA’s National Farm Security Action Plan. This historic plan elevates American agriculture as a key element of …

Extremely Low Satsuma Supply Expected This Season

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Production

Fruit is scarce this season on satsuma trees. There was an oversupply of satsuma mandarins in the cold-hardy citrus region last season. That will not be the case in 2025. According to Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission, satsuma supply will be extremely low for the upcoming season. “In our …

Grape Producers Beware of Root Borer Emergence

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Grape producers in North Georgia and North Alabama must be wary of grape root borer emergence. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, noted in the UGA Viticulture Blog that adult emergence and activity typically starts in late June or early July. Growers should consider management options for the pest as …

Beware of Scab: Rains Mean Increased Risk of Disease in Pecans

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall in the Southeast means added moisture for the region’s pecan trees. It also means increased risk of scab disease, especially in trees that are more susceptible than others. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, discussed the dangers of consistent rainfall. “If (the rains) come in the afternoon and the trees stay wet …

rainfall

Water Needs Critical for Region’s Citrus Trees

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Florida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Timing is critical for water needs for next season’s citrus crops across the Southeast. Much of the groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are receiving their share of rainfall. But others are not. It is why producers need to remain diligent in applying water to their trees, says Mary …

Power Panel: Various Topics Planned for Expo Discussion

Clint ThompsonCitrus and Specialty Crop Expo

By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable production will be under the spotlight during this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. There are no shortage of topics impacting growers across the Southeast, including Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. They’ll be discussed during a panel discussion featuring leaders from …

Summer Rains Limit Dry Conditions Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Drought continues to be mostly a non-issue across the Southeast. This summer has provided adequate moisture across southern states like Alabama and Georgia. Even in Florida where dry conditions are prevalent, they have improved in recent weeks. This is according to the June 19 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s driest conditions are concentrated to the southern area of …

July 1 Important Date Surrounding AEWR

Clint ThompsonLabor

By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop growers should circle July 1 on their calendars. It could serve as a pivotal date in producers’ fight against the continued spike of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) and Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the NCAE, challenged the legality of the AEWR. July …

Double Edge Sword: Increased Rain’s Impact on Region’s Pecan Crop

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Frequent rain events in Georgia and Alabama have created a potential good and bad scenario for the states’ pecan producers. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, highlighted how the increased rainfall has impacted the region’s pecan crop. “From the standpoint of the crop’s needs, water is great for them. We’ve just gotten into the nut-sizing …