By Clint Thompson Some Southeast strawberry producers are not prone to applying fungicides during the fall after planting. That is likely to change with the high potential for Neopestalotiopsis, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Generally, we have not sprayed very much in the fall at all. But now it’s starting to be one …
Sen. Ossoff, Rep. Scott Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Push for Disaster Relief Following Helene
Tifton, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) are leading a bipartisan push for disaster relief funding to prevent deep and lasting economic damage to the agricultural industry in the Southeast. Ossoff and Scott, alongside Georgia’s entire Congressional Delegation, led a bipartisan, bicameral group of 34 lawmakers from Southeastern states, urging Congressional Leadership to work with …
Growers Cautioned To Be Wary of Fruit Quality Following Helene
Georgia’s citrus growers may have dodged catastrophic results from Hurricane Helene, but they might not know the full impact of the storm for at least a couple of more weeks. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association, warned that though fruit may still be in the trees, it may have suffered irreparable damage from high winds when the …
Storm Aftermath: GFVGA Executive Director Discusses Hurricane Helene Impacts
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) does not have a full scope on the damage left by Hurricane Helene last week. But it knows it was devastating and widespread. Fall crops were in the ground. Blueberry bushes were vulnerable and so were citrus and pecan trees. Chris Butts, executive director of the GFVGA, talked about …
Sneak Peek: October 2024 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
The cover story of the October issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights blueberries and what varieties are in demand for Southeast growers. Certain varieties released by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and breeder Patricio Munoz include Sentinel, Falcon and FL19-006. Varieties released by the University of Georgia and breeding team lead Juliet Chu …
Scab No Longer Threat to This Year’s Pecan Crop
By Clint Thompson This year’s pecan crop in the Southeast is not in any danger from pecan scab disease any more this season. That’s a huge relief for Georgia and Alabama growers on the cusp of harvest season. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discussed the disease and why it should not impact what remains in this year’s …
Specialty Crop Tracker
By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Tracker is a record of this year’s crop progress based on observations from growers, Extension agents and other industry stakeholders on the ground throughout the Southeast. Hurricane Debby Floods Fields In early August, Hurricane Debby slowly rolled through the Southeast, dumping huge amounts of rain in certain areas. For some specialty crop growers, it …
AFVGA Executive Director: Neopestalotiopsis Outbreak a Wake-Up Call
By Clint Thompson The recent revelation that Neopestalotiopsis has infected strawberry plug plants originating from nurseries in Prince Edward Island will impact Alabama producers. Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), has heard various reports of the disease for the past several weeks. “When the plug growers that are here started receiving tips, all …
GFVGA Executive Director: Imports Forecast Shows ‘Growing Dependency’ on Other Countries
By Clint Thompson Agricultural imports are so commonplace that a projected increase is not a surprise to Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA); disappointing but not surprising. Ag imports in fiscal year (FY) 2025 are forecast at $212 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural …
On Alert: Potential Storm a Threat to Southeast
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop producers are eyeing a potential storm nearing the Gulf of Mexico that could impact the Southeast later this week. The potential development of the storm, named Helene, along with its current path means Florida, Georgia and Alabama are all in its crosshairs. “The whole state of Georgia right now is in the cone. It …



















