Vidalia Onion Crop ‘Looks Good’ Amid Numerous Weather Challenges

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, is optimistic about this year’s Vidalia onion crop halfway through the season. That optimism speaks volumes considering the weather challenges that have threatened production this year. “We’ve had several obstacles in our way this year. First was Hurricane Helene which caused some plant losses and stand losses …

UGA Research: New Planting Approach in Vidalia Onions

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research in Vidalia onions has yielded a new approach to planting the crop. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, wants growers to maximize their area to produce more plants per acre. Because of the threshold of the recommended spacing between plants, McAvoy offered an alternative method. “Most all of the work that’s …

U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Seeks Nominees for State Member Positions

Clint ThompsonFlorida

FOLSOM, Calif. – Members of the highbush (cultivated) blueberry industry are now seeking nominees to fill U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) state member and alternate positions for the 2026 to 2028 term. The nomination period will begin on March 21, 2025. Eight USHBC state member and alternate seats need to be filled for the term of office beginning Jan. 1, …

Freeze Effect: Dormancy Helps Grape Vines Dodge Cold Damage

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s grape vines were mostly dormant amid sub-freezing temperatures experienced in January. That benefited the state’s producers when temperatures plunged last month, according to Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia (UGA) viticulture Extension specialist. “One of the benefits of this year compared to previous years is that the vines were able to go into dormancy. They were fully …

Drought Monitor Update: Dry Areas Expanding, Worsening Across Southeast

Clint ThompsonDrought

The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions expanding and worsening across the Southeast. Nearly all of central and northern Alabama is either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry. Severe conditions start in Choctaw and Clarke counties in the southwest part of the state and expand northeastward to Clay and Randolph counties. Moderate conditions then …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: AEWR Increases Threaten Food Security

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Tyler Harper It’s no secret that 2024 was a difficult year for Georgia’s No. 1 industry and farm families across our state. Inflation, sky-high input costs, depressed commodity prices, an unlevel playing field with our foreign competitors and bad policy coming from D.C. are among the reasons U.S. net farm income has declined by upward of $40 billion over …

Vidalia Onion Farmers Be Alert for Downy Mildew

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Downy mildew remains the biggest disease concern for Georgia’s Vidalia onion farmers. It won’t be long before producers must protect their year’s investment, says University of Georgia Extension Vegetable Plant Pathologist Bhabesh Dutta. “This disease is so aggressive and can damage the crop so fast, all of these programs need to be initiated right (in late February). …

Late-Season Freeze Events Now a Concern for Fruit Tree Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Chill hours are no longer a concern for fruit tree growers across the Southeast. The main worry now is with potential late-season freeze events following recent warming temperatures, according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “I would say probably right now the fruit farmers are the No. 1 concern that I have because they’ve …

Peach Producers’ Approach in Managing San Jose Scale

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Timing remains a vital part of San Jose scale management for peach producers in the Southeast. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, outlined the approach growers must take if they are going to successfully manage this pest. “Getting a good delayed dormant spray on for the scale …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Corbett Brothers Expanding Amid Increased Challenges

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Clint Thompson If your farming operation isn’t growing, it’s shrinking. That’s the Corbett family motto that’s been passed down from generation to generation. The philosophy serves as the basis for Justin Corbett, who operates Corbett Brothers Farms in Lake Park, Georgia, with his brother Jared. While some specialty crop farms are operating in survival mode due to increased input …