Insect Management Update for Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Southeast pecan producers are on the cusp of harvesting this year’s crop. Growers should stay vigilant with their insecticide sprays, especially in areas that have been void of the rainfall in recent days. Apurba Barman, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan entomologist, discussed pest management and what insects that producers should currently be mindful of. “Right now, …

Muscadine Research on UGA Tifton Campus

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Grapes

By Clint Thompson Muscadine research is essential to the industry’s long-term sustainability in Georgia. University of Georgia (UGA) muscadine breeder Patrick Conner is using his research on the UGA Tifton Campus to help make the industry more viable and profitable. He talked about what is at the forefront of his research studies during a recent field day on the UGA …

UGA Hires Sutton as Citrus Extension Specialist

Clint ThompsonCitrus, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Citrus has a bright future for specialty crop growers in South Georgia. The University of Georgia sees that potential and wants to help producers achieve production success – now and into the future. Its recent hiring of Mary Sutton as the new citrus Extension specialist should aid in that process. Sutton started on Aug. 1 and is …

Florida Tomato

Trade and Nutrition Highlighted at Florida Tomato Institute

Dan CooperTomatoes, Vegetables

The 2024 Florida Tomato Institute drew a large crowd of growers and other industry stakeholders to Clewiston, Florida, in early September. The event showcases the latest in tomato research, new product offerings from industry and a food-safety workshop. TOMATO TRADE DEFICIT Zhengfei Guan, an economist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), spoke about the …

Florida Blueberry Producers Bracing for Peak Tropical Season

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson An active tropical season this fall is concerning for Florida’s blueberry growers. According to Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, this time of year is when blueberry bushes are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when Florida experiences a bulk of hurricane activity. “In …

UGA Extension Strawberry Blog: Management Options for Neopestalotiopsis

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Strawberries

Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot disease is already expected to impact next year’s strawberry crop. The question is how can growers minimize the potential damage the disease will likely have on plants ahead of next growing season? Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, outlined how producers can navigate next season’s expected increase of Neopestalotiopsis. …

Georgia Ag Commissioner Announces Appointments to Commodity Commissions

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper has announced appointments to Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions. Appointments are made by the Ex-officio Committee, which includes Harper, Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall; Russ Moon, an appointee of the Georgia Senate Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs; and Al Pearson, an appointee of the Georgia House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs. Georgia’s Commodity …

Florida Sen. Jay Collins Confident in Housing Bill

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ veto of CS/SB 1082 stopped progress this past legislative session on a bill related to housing for legally verified agricultural workers. But according to Florida Sen. Jay Collins, the bill should pick back up next legislative session. “That’s going to be run again. We’ve already talked to my partner in the House, Rep. …

South Carolina Grower: Crop Survey Results

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Clemson Extension agents in South Carolina surveyed specialty crop growers in fall of 2023 on specialty crop acreage for the year, according to the South Carolina Grower. The goal was to identify the counties of production, acreage and observable market prices for the year. Data was collected for 14 fruit and vegetable commodities. Bulb onions, citrus, and grape and cherry …

La Niña’s Winter’s Impact on Southeast

Clint ThompsonWeather

By Clint Thompson A La Niña winter is expected to bring warm and dry conditions to the Southeast. It would have major ramifications for fruit producers, especially peach growers, who require chilling hours to produce a viable crop the following year. It would also affect farmers who must manage whitefly populations, as cold and wet conditions will help control the …