Citrus producers in the Sweet Valley Citrus region are about a week or two ahead of schedule this season. The area consists of a tri-state zone in North Florida, South Alabama and South Georgia. Grower Kim Jones attributes the accelerated harvest this year to the cooler temperatures the region received during October. Jones, president of the Cold Hardy Citrus Association, said about …
Diesel Shortage? Higher Costs Could Impact SE
By Clint Thompson A challenging season for the specialty crop industry could be exacerbated if fears of a potential diesel shortage come to fruition. Mansfield Energy, a major provider of fuel delivery, announced in late October that it was moving to Alert Level 4 to address market volatility. It moved the Southeast (SE) to Code Red, requesting a 72-hour notice …
Water Needs Continue for Some Pecan Varieties
By Clint Thompson Water requirements for pecans have not totally evaporated as harvest season continues across the Southeast. Growers should be mindful that some varieties need water to help shucks open up, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “Honestly, they probably could use a little (rain) to help these shucks go ahead and open up good. If …
GFVGA’s Butts: We Are Enthused That USTR is Establishing a Panel
By Clint Thompson The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) pledge of assistance to specialty crop producers was needed for growers suffering from increased imports from Mexico. Even if ambassador Katherine Tai opted not to follow through on a Section 301 petition to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry, she pledged to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish an …
Alabama Strawberry Producers Be Wary of Diseases
By Clint Thompson Strawberry plantings are being conducted across Alabama. Producers need to be wary of different diseases prior to planting. Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the department of entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, suggests growers apply a fungicide dip to help with Anthracnose. “This will provide some early-season protection against anthracnose and someother diseases,” …
Sweet Corn Producer: H-2A’s Regulatory Makeup is Intense
By Clint Thompson The most significant challenge to sweet corn production isn’t disease or pest pressure or water requirement, says one Georgia/Florida producer. It is finding and utilizing a labor workforce to pick the crop, says Karla Thompson with JET Farms. She and her family’s business utilize the H-2A program to find nearly 250 workers every year for their fall …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Continue to Linger Throughout Southeast
The lingering drought over much of the Southeast is intensifying in the Florida Panhandle, South Alabama and North Georgia areas, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Severe dry conditions are observed in Escambia County in the Florida Panhandle and stretch to Jackson County. Moderate dry conditions are seen from Bay County to Jefferson and Taylor counties. Abnormally …
Pecans’ International Future a Present Concern
By Clint Thompson The future of global trade in pecans is currently on the minds of pecan industry leaders. What will Mexico’s growing industry look like in a few years? Will the U.S. relationship with India improve so producers can better take advantage of its huge market? Those are questions that Samantha McLeod, executive director of the Georgia Pecan Growers …
Natural Disasters: Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst
By Clint Thompson Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. That should be the mindset of specialty crop producers, especially in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Farmers should always be prepared for the next natural disaster. In the Southeast, that may come in a variety of forms, says Bart Hester, agent with Country Financial in Moultrie, Georgia. He discussed …
Dry Weather Delaying Strawberry Plantings in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson The current dry weather is delaying strawberry plantings in North Alabama, says Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. A lack of rain this fall means growers don’t have adequate moisture to keep their beds properly shaped. Producers are more than a week behind in getting their plants in the ground as a result. “It’s slowing …