By Emily Cabrera for UGA CAES News University of Georgia researchers are working on natural solutions to weed problems in row crops as government regulations of chemical herbicides grow stricter. Earlier in June, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals pulled registrations for the use of all dicamba products for row-crop production. The herbicide, which has been around since the …
Grape Producers Need to be Wary of Downy Mildew Disease
By Clint Thompson Grape producers in north Alabama and north Georgia need to be wary of downy mildew disease. It has been confirmed in vonifera grapes in two separate Georgia locations, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “My hope is that if folks are spraying well, if they’re actually effective in spraying the vines and …
Fried Calls for Statewide Mask Requirement
The News Service of Florida With thousands of additional COVID-19 cases being added each day in Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried called Thursday for a statewide requirement that people wear masks in public places. Many local governments have approved mask requirements as the number of cases has surged this month, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has declined to issue a statewide …
South Carolina Agriculture Entrepreneurs Awarded $125K in Project Funding
South Carolina Department of Agriculture COLUMBIA – Seven agricultural innovators will receive money for their businesses from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE). Entrepreneurs pitched their businesses to a panel of judges who selected seven to share $125,000 in funding based on their business plans, presentations and demonstrated history of business success. Kara …
UF Economist: Be Open to New Opportunities
By Clint Thompson Farmers can learn a lot from the first coronavirus pandemic in preparations for a potential “second wave” that might occur this fall. Christa Court, assistant scientist in the University of Florida/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Department, said producers who were willing to adjust on the fly this spring fared more successfully than those who did not. “I …
New UF/IFAS Economist Comes ‘Home,’ Looks to Help Harness Resources
By: Brad Buck, bradbuck@ufl.edu IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Kim Morgan is coming home, in a manner of speaking. Morgan graduated from the University of Florida three times. Mostly recently, she began her position as an associate professor of food and resources economics for the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee. For now, due to CDC stay-at-home guidelines, Morgan …
Strategies for Sourcing Approved Inputs
By Sarah Bostick Access to approved inputs is a challenge in states with few certified organic farms. Agricultural supply stores in these states often don’t have enough demand to keep approved products in stock. But with a little creativity, you can get your hands on all the inputs you need. WHERE TO LOOK Two independent groups determine if an input …
Asian Longhorned Beetle Found in South Carolina
According to The South Carolina Grower, the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) has been found near Hollywood, South Carolina. The beetle is an invasive tree pest and mainly attacks maples, elms, willows and birches. Clemson Extension, Clemson Regulatory Services and USDA APHIS need help in detecting the beetle’s presence in the Lowcountry. The are native beetles that look similar to ALB, …
Start Work Now on Worker Protection for Next Season
Paul Allen, chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, encourages farmers to prepare now for next growing season with respect to worker safety. FFVA strongly urges every grower and farm labor contractor to implement these measures to the utmost of your ability. Download the checklist, review it, print it out and begin working now to designate a workplace coordinator …
So Far So Good For Peach Worker Safety
By Clint Thompson Georgia peach workers are staying safe and nobody has been stricken from the coronavirus pandemic yet, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “Nobody’s having any real hiccups with this virus. I guess everybody’s staying far enough away from each other to be safe,” Cook said. …