South Carolina fruit and vegetable producer Robert “Bob” Martin Hall was named the Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year on Tuesday during the 43rd annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. Hall, from York, South Carolina, is in his 42nd year of farming. He produces strawberries, peaches, cantaloupes, melons, blackberries, blueberries, sweet corn, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, squash, …
High Pecan Prices so Far for Southeast Producers
By Clint Thompson Early returns on this year’s pecan crop show high prices for Pawnee varieties, says University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. “I’ve been hearing anywhere from $2.50 to $2.65 in that range for Pawnee, which is good,” Wells said. Pawnee pecans are usually the first variety to be ready for harvest every season, usually about …
Farm Budgets More Important Than Ever
By Clint Thompson In an era of high input costs for all and low commodity prices for some, farm budgeting is an essential part of any vegetable or specialty crop producer’s farming operation. Jessie Rowan, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, stresses the importance of keeping track of daily costs. It will …
Economist: If You Can Raise Prices, You’re Doing It; Not Everybody Can Do That
By Clint Thompson The recent increase of input and supply expenses has led to businesses increasing consumer prices. While most can simply increase their consumer prices to recoup those expenses, fruit and vegetable crop producers are not always as fortunate. Jeff Dorfman, University of Georgia Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and State Fiscal Economist for Georgia, …
Fall Watermelon Production Not Recommended in North Florida
By Clint Thompson Josh Freeman, University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Associate Professor in Horticultural Science, is completely honest when assessing the potential of fall watermelon production in north Florida. “To be completely frank, we would not recommend watermelon growers grow watermelons in the fall,” Freeman said. His blunt assessment is attributed to the multiple variables …
Scouting Pivotal for Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Scouting remains a pivotal tool in strawberry producers’ fight against Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, cautions producers about what to look out for in the early stages of this year’s strawberry season. “At this stage in the fall you would look for leaves with brown leaf spots, especially on …
Inspect Citrus Trees’ Roots Before Planting
By Clint Thompson Rooting issues in citrus containers were a major problem this year for producers in Georgia. Kim Jones, who farms citrus in Georgia and Florida, implores producers to inspect their trees extensively before planting in the future. He said there were various reports of j-rooting and circle-rooting in container plants. The trees would be more vulnerable to high-stress …
GFVGA President: (Labor’s) an Enormous Problem Right Now
By Clint Thompson Labor reform is at the top of the list of concerns for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Congress needs to formulate a solution sooner rather than later, says Drew Echols, president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “What we need is we need our republican friends to engage the democrats on …
Florida Producer: It’s Always a Chess Match This Time of Year With Strawberry Plants
By Clint Thompson The strawberry disease that has decimated plantings in Florida and Georgia has already caused some nursery plants to be destroyed. However, there are enough plants for producers to fill their quota, says Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “There’s not going to be a shortage of strawberry plants. Somebody said the same thing …
CFAP 2 Deadline Approaches
Vegetable and specialty crop producers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have until Oct. 12 to sign up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2. The deadline allows for eligible farmers to either apply or modify their existing CFAP 2 applications. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and related costs due to …