By Emily Cabrera for CAES News As the weather cools across the state, several fall insects will begin to take center stage around Georgia homes. Be on the lookout for these nuisance pests and make preparations to deter them from entering your home for the winter. Asian Needle Ants University of Georgia entomologist Dan Suiter tells homeowners to be on …
North Alabama Watermelons Winding Down
Watermelon season is winding down in Alabama this week. Just like its southern counterparts, north Alabama producers enjoyed a successful season, according Eric Schavey, Alabama Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama “Overall, watermelons in our area, in Northeast Alabama was good,” said Schavey, who serves Blount County, Cherokee County, Cullman County, DeKalb County, Etowah County, Jackson County, Madison County and …
As Organic Food Sales Soar, Growers Look to Essential Oils to Suppress Pests, Diseases
By: Brad Buck, 813-757-2224, bradbuck@ufl.edu, 352-875-2641 (cell) Organic food sales topped $50 billion in the United States in 2018. Statistics from the Organic Trade Association tell part of the story of this growing market: Fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops combined to make up 36.3% of total organic sales — up 5.6% from the previous year. Naturally, farmers want to …
Vidalia Onion Farmers Already Planning for Bacterial Disease Management
Vidalia onion farmers are expected to begin planting the crop this week. Disease management is already on the minds of Georgia growers, following last year’s tough season with bacterial diseases, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “We had some bacterial disease issues this past …
USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for 2020
ATHENS, GA – During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2020. “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in southern states and it is crucial for us to …
Use Resistant Varieties When Possible to Protect Against Whiteflies
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks paints an ominous picture of the potential devastation whiteflies will have on this year’s fall vegetable crop. “We’re probably a month ahead of the last two years. This is going to be challenging fall for whiteflies,” Sparks said. Vegetable producers across the Southeast have either planted or are currently planting their …
H-2A Process Should Be Smoother Next Season
The H-2A application process had its challenges this spring in getting the farm workers needed from Mexico to Florida and Georgia. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau, believes the process should continue to improve next season amid the coronavirus pandemic, even if a vaccine is not in place. “A good deal of uncertainty was presented both to farmers and …
USTR Offers Encouraging Action for Blueberry Producers
One commodity that’s been at the center of unfair trade disputes by producers in Georgia and Florida was at the forefront of the federal agencies’ plan of action issued this week. Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black was pleased to see the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requesting the International Trade Commission to initiate a Section 201 global …
Collins Statement on Trump Administration Requesting Investigation into Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement after the Trump Administration released a 28-page report detailing how it would address threats that increased imports pose to American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables. The report also requested a U.S. International Trade Commission investigation into blueberry imports from Mexico, which have long harmed blueberry farmers in …
Auburn Economist Encouraged by Federal Agencies’ Plan of Action
One economist in the Southeast is encouraged by the plan to address the threat of increased foreign imports to U.S. producers of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Adam Rabinowitz, Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension economist, believes the hearings held in August for Florida and Georgia producers opened communications and led to a report released by the Office of the U.S. …