By Clint Thompson Farmers are a resilient group of individuals. They have to be to get back up off the mat following one challenging blow after another. For Georgia’s peach growers, they will need to be if they hope to survive a devastating ’23 season. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), discussed …
Two weeks: Maximum Time In Between Pecan Scab Disease Sprays for Susceptible Varieties
By Clint Thompson Two weeks. That is the maximum amount of time pecan growers have to apply fungicide sprays to trees most susceptible to scab disease. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, discusses the spray window that farmers have to keep certain varieties free of the disease. “From this point on, growers need to stay really tight on …
Sneak Peek: July 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The July issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights WP Rawl, a leading vegetable business in South Carolina that has thrived for nearly 100 years. Ashley Rawl, a third-generation family member and vice president of sales, marketing and product development, talks about the secret to his company’s success. It has had a willingness to adapt to the changing economic climate. …
Tomato Suspension Agreement Not Florida vs. Mexico
On June 16, the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) filed a request with the Department of Commerce to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement. This request was based on established facts and U.S. antidumping law. Days later, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), a trade group that represents importers of Mexican produce, issued a press release attacking the FTE and wildly mischaracterizing …
Set the Record Straight: Tomato Suspension Agreement Not Florida vs. Mexico
MAITLAND, FL – June 27, 2023: On June 16, the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) filed a request with the Department of Commerce to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement. This request was based on established facts and U.S. antidumping law. Days later, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), a trade group that represents importers of Mexican produce, issued a press release …
Grape Crop Management: What to Look Out for with Harvest Season Looming
By Clint Thompson Harvest season is on the horizon for grape producers in Georgia and Alabama. Now is a critical time for growers to implement their disease and pest management strategies. Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia viticulture Extension specialist, discussed what producers should be mindful of with harvest season just a few weeks away. “At this point, keeping on top …
Rain, Rain Stay Away: Fungicide Timing Tricky for Pecan Producers
By Clint Thompson It is vital that pecan producers keep their fungicide sprays applied during periods of rainy, cloudy weather – like the conditions experienced during the past couple of weeks. But it can be challenging for growers to find a clear window to spray and not be canceled out because of impending rain showers. It can be a difficult …
Protect Your Production
By Clint Thompson Florida’s climate allows growers to produce more than 300 different specialty crops. Unfortunately, that same environment can lead to various factors which can negatively impact production every year. Producers should prepare for the possibility every season that their crop could be impacted by weather events like hurricanes or tornadoes, as well as invasive species, plant diseases and …
Abnormally Dry Conditions Still Prevalent in Areas Across Southeast Region
The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows abnormally dry conditions in North Alabama and North Georgia and along the west coast of Florida. Florida’s driest conditions start as far north as Dixie, Gilchrist and Alachua counties and stretch southward to Lee and Collier counties. Georgia’s dry conditions are concentrated mostly to the northwest part of the state. …
UGA Extension Provides Update on San Jose Scale Management
University of Georgia (UGA) Extension cautions peach producers that San Jose scale crawlers are beginning to pick back up. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said in the UGA Extension Peach Blog that he anticipates the second main peak of crawler activity to occur at approximately 2,400 DD (degree days) since Feb. 1, …