Attention Georgia Vidalia onion producers: The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) is seeking nominations from industry producers. The VOC elects eight new nominees annually. Four members and four alternate seats are currently available on the committee. The VOC administers the Federal Marketing Order 955 locally and consists of eight producer members and their alternates, one public member and an alternate. The …
Summer Update Informs Growers on Impactful Issues
The annual Citrus Grower’s Summer Update meeting on Aug. 14 in Valdosta, Georgia, provided cold-hardy growers with updates on several factors impacting the industry. Information on topics ranging from snails to phytophthora to Asian citrus psyllid trapping were presented to growers who are on the cusp of harvesting another season’s crop. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus agent …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: The Last Word
It’s Time to Compete -Fairly By Robert Guenther The termination of the U.S.–Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement isn’t just the end of a flawed trade deal. It’s a turning point for American tomato growers and, more broadly, for how this country chooses to defend its agricultural backbone in a global economy. For nearly 30 years, domestic producers operated under suspension agreements …
Fall Vulnerability: Any Tropical Activity Can Be Devastating This Time of Year
By Clint Thompson A tropical storm or hurricane in the fall can be more devastating to farmers than if it occurred earlier in the year. Just look at Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Or Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Two of the most impactful storms in the Southeast in recent memory impacted fruit and vegetable crops, along with cotton and …
Attention Fall Vegetable Farmers: Whitefly Populations Increasing Throughout Region
By Clint Thompson Georgia vegetable farmers must be aware that whitefly populations have spiked in recent weeks, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. It’s a concern for producers preparing their fall crops. “Whiteflies really jumped (recently). (This week’s rain) may slow them down. I had a patch of soybeans there on the station where …
Drought Monitor Update
By Clint Thompson Drought conditions continue to remain a problem over parts of the Southeast, even following a rainy week last week. Southwest Alabama, Southwest Georgia and most of central and southern Florida are the areas most impacted by dry conditions, according to the Aug. 7 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama Abnormally dry conditions in Alabama start in …
UGA Extension Pecan Specialist: Expect Nut Drop from Water Stage Fruit Split
By Clint Thompson An excessive amount of rainfall throughout South Georgia in recent weeks will lead to some pecans falling prematurely. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist, cautioned growers in the UGA Pecan Extension Blog that the recent rains have come during shell hardening. It will lead to “nuts hitting the ground over the next week or …
Production Preview: Low Crop Prices Could Impact Fall Season
By Clint Thompson Low vegetable prices this spring impacted the bottom line for southeast growers. They also could impact producers’ intentions when managing their fall crops, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “The biggest issue, I think more so than the weather, is that prices were very low this spring …
Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers Should Consider Multiple Varieties
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin The potential lack of satsuma mandarins this season in the cold-hardy citrus region should not discourage growers from adding to their production portfolio in the future. It just means they need to try other varieties, despite satsumas being the most commonly produced variety in the region. Jake Price, University of Georgia (UGA) area citrus …
UGA Extension Sustainability Specialist: EPA is Protecting Growers’ Access to Pesticides
By Clint Thompson The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to ensure pesticides remain a viable source of protection for farmers and their crops. That’s the message Taylor Singleton, University of Georgia assistant professor and Extension sustainability specialist, is preaching to growers at county meetings and different crop events, which included last week at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in …


















