Persistent Rains Expected Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson Rainfall has been more persistent in recent days across the Southeast. According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, that current trend should continue over the next few weeks in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. “It’s look like we’ve switched into a much wetter pattern. We were under this high pressure that lasted for most of …

Dry Weather a Plus for Pecan Producers?

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Dry weather this time of year is not always a bad thing for pecan producers, but that is contingent on growers having irrigation set up for their orchards. “We recommend that you don’t even try to grow them without irrigation to begin with,” says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “For growing pecans, it’s actually …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: The Last Word

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine, Tomatoes

By Michael Schadler Suspension Agreement Purgatory The never-ending story of the United States-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement added a new chapter over the last year when the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) issued a request to the Biden administration to terminate the 28-year-old agreement. So far, FTE has received no response.  The Tomato Suspension Agreement is an agreement between the U.S. Department …

Most of Southeast Observing Drought-Like Conditions

Clint ThompsonDrought

Dry conditions continue to persist across the Southeast with certain areas intensifying in North Florida, Georgia and Alabama. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions concentrate most of Northeast Florida. The drought starts as far west as Jackson, Calhoun, Liberty and Franklin counties and extends eastward to Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties and southward to Volusia, Marion …

Drought Monitor Update: Moderate Conditions Observed in Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonDrought

Intense heat and lack of rainfall have contributed to moderate dry conditions expanding across the Southeast, including in Florida, Georgia and Alabama, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Northeast Florida is mostly moderately dry. The dry area starts as far west as Jefferson and Madison counties and expands eastward to Duval, Saint Johns and Flagler counties and southward to Marion …

AFVGA Conference and Trade Show Scheduled for Feb. 5-7, 2025

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Those interested in attending next year’s Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) conference and trade show can mark their calendars for Feb. 5-7, 2025, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The annual conference returns to South Alabama for another year, with registration slated to open on Nov. 1. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the AFVGA, talked about the …

Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo Pre-Registration Closes Aug. 16

Clint ThompsonCitrus and Specialty Crop Expo

By Clint Thompson The Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo, slated for Aug. 21-22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, appeals to fruit and vegetable growers from across the Southeast, including those from Georgia, Alabama and North Florida. It will offer seminar sessions that highlight specialty crop production while also offering opportunities to discuss business with the many vendors that …

Drought Monitor Update: Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

Drought is worsening across the Southeast, with most of Alabama, Florida and Georgia experiencing either abnormally dry or moderately dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Florida’s worst conditions are located in the northeastern part of the state. They start as far south as Citrus and Marion counties and stretch northward to Nassau, Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Madison and Jefferson …

Sprayer Management Important for Southeast Grape Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Grapes

By Clint Thompson Sprayer management is an essential part of disease management for grape producers in the Southeast. As costly as fungicides can be, growers must be as efficient as possible with their spray applications, says Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia viticulture Extension specialist. “You can’t get good disease management if you don’t have good spray coverage,” Lowder said. “Where …