By Clint Thompson Pecan producers in the Southeast should be mindful that ambrosia beetles are currently active and pose a threat to younger tree orchards. University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells cautioned growers about the beetles in the UGA Extension Pecan Blog. “They start emerging in that February-March timeframe, but they’re usually a problem for us …
Don’t Miss the Deadline: Peach Commodity Commission Nominations Due by May 26
Any peach producer interested or knows someone that is interested in serving on the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Peaches need to remember that nominations are due by Friday, May 26. Nomination forms can be found at – agr.georgia.gov/cpf, under the nomination form tab or by emailing andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov. Nominations will be accepted through email or by mail at Andy Harrison, …
GT Thompson: Input Prices Go Up Quickly, but Come Down Very Slowly
By Clint Thompson The list of challenging issues negatively impacting specialty crop production is long and complex. But they must be addressed in the Farm Bill legislation that is currently being discussed among legislative leaders. One of those leaders is Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. While in Newberry, Florida, for the Farm Bill listening session …
How Dry is it? Drought Monitor Shows Lack of Rainfall in Parts of Southeast
Florida’s dry conditions continue to persist throughout most of the state, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. An extreme drought remains along the west coast of the state, starting as far north as Levy County and stretching as far south as Hillsborough and Manatee counties. A severe drought persists along the west coast as well, starting in …
Not All Microbes Damage Crops
By Juan Carlos DÃaz Pérez The microbiological revolution in agricultural sciences may benefit crop production uniquely. We are only starting to understand these complex interactions among crops, microorganisms, insects and other organisms. Plant diseases are relatively rare despite plants being exposed to numerous and diverse microorganisms. A myriad of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) live on the surface of plants’ leaves, …
It’s Hot Out There: Warming Trend, Sporadic Rain to Continue Through Next Week
By Clint Thompson Weather conditions heated up this week across the Southeast. A lack of rainfall in certain areas created a warm environment for specialty crops. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the current warming trend across the region. “We’ve been in this cold and persistent pattern where it seems like it’s rained almost every weekend in …
Florida Rep. Cammack: Specialty Crop Production Could Go Out if Issues Not Addressed
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop production in the U.S. is in danger. Unfair trade practices with Mexico have made sustainability a national concern for producers, not just those in the Southeast. That’s why it has to be addressed in the next Farm Bill, to preserve those farms that have survived so far. Florida Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) discussed that issue …
2023 York Distinguished Lecture Series Features Chavonda Jacobs-Young
By Maegan Beatty On May 3, the Harn Museum of Art hosted the 2023 York Distinguished Lecture Series. The speaker was Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young. She serves as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for research, education and economics and chief scientist. Jacobs-Young helped establish USDA science priorities in supporting precision nutrition research, building scientific infrastructure and the next …
Blueberry Quality, Quantity High in Most of Florida
By Clint Thompson Blueberry harvests are winding down across Florida. Quality and quantity were high in certain fields, though others observed negative impacts from Hurricane Ian last September. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, discussed the state of harvests across Florida this year. “Quality wise for sure, it’s been a good …
Adaptability Vital for Peach Producer
Risk mitigation through variety diversity helps Titan Farms succeed. By Clint Thompson Adaptability fuels Titan Farms’ success as a national leader in peach production. It will be the key for Chalmers Carr as his South Carolina-based farming operation navigates the current challenges facing peach producers. “There are generational farms where people may not want to have the same risk profile. …