By Clint Thompson Georgia’s peach producers are finally enjoying the fruits of their labor this year. “It’s good, it’s really hard to complain about this crop,” said North Georgia producer Drew Echols. “The flavor is great. There’s a lot of beautiful peaches.” Echols and other growers with a crop had reason to be smiling this harvest season. Last year’s crop …
Lack of Younger Producers Concerns Alabama Pecan Growers Association President
By Clint Thompson The lack of younger pecan growers in Alabama concerns the president of the Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA). Bran Futral, APGA president, discussed the current state of the industry with harvest season just a couple of months away. “I think if there was a significant concern, and this worries me the most as I spend my time …
Chilli Thrips Control: UF/IFAS Study Shows How Strawberry Growers Can Use Less Pesticides
Florida strawberry growers can use less pesticide and save money as they attempt to control chilli thrips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) research shows. An invasive pest in the southeastern United States, chilli thrips was introduced to the United States from Southeast Asia. The first report in Florida came in 1991 in Okeechobee County and …
Georgia Citrus Growers Pass Commodity Commission Market Order
Atlanta, Ga – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced on Friday that Georgia citrus growers voted overwhelmingly in favor of the marketing order proposed by the Georgia Citrus Commodity Commission. Established in 2023 to support Georgia’s burgeoning citrus industry, the Citrus Commodity Commission will collect a two-tenths-of-cent-per-pound assessment on marketed Georgia citrus. It will be used to fund research, education …
Alabama Peach Growers Enjoying Strong Crop
Peach harvests are currently being held across the Southeast. Like neighboring Georgia, Alabama is experiencing a strong crop this year due to adequate chilling and the lack of a late-spring freeze event. AgNet Media’s Will Jordan spoke with Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, about this year’s peach crop. Sponsored …
Expo Should Appeal to Growers in Cold-Hardy Citrus Region
By Clint Thompson Registration continues for the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 21-22 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. The expo’s location in central Florida should appeal to citrus producers from the cold-hardy citrus region in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. Josh McGill, show director, said the industry’s growth in that region is …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Growers Advised to Have Heat Plan in Place
By Clint Thompson Without an official heat standard from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), fruit and vegetable producers must consider OSHA recommendations for a heat plan as requirements. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), conveyed that belief following a webinar the association presented in March. The webinar shined a light …
Georgia Blueberry, Vegetable Growers Vote to Extend Assessments
Atlanta, GA – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced in April that Georgia blueberry growers voted to extend the $5 per ton assessment on marketed blueberries for an additional three years. The balloting was conducted from March 1 to March 30, 2024, and the extension passed with 71% voting in favor. Georgia Growers marketing 2,000 pounds or more of blueberries …
Strong Peach Season Expected for Alabama Growers
By Clint Thompson Count Alabama as another state that should rebound with a bumper peach crop this year. After a Georgia industry leader confirmed his expectation of a bountiful crop to AgNet Media, Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, expressed optimism regarding this year’s peaches in Alabama. “We’re seeing pretty …
Attention Avocado Growers: UF/IFAS Survey Aims to Learn More About Disease Management
There is no shortage of consumer appetite for avocados. Frequently incorporated into appetizers and desserts, avocado demand has surged in popularity. Meanwhile, production of avocado in the United States is under constant threat from diseases like Laurel wilt (LW) and Phytophthora root rot (PRR). They can devastate orchards if left unchecked. There is still much to learn about how growers …



















