Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Hop Production Progressing in Florida

Clint ThompsonHops, Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles One of the missions of land grant universities is helping farmers to learn better ways to produce their crops. But another is seeking alternative crops, which might help growers to diversify their business operations. Some alternative crops work; others don’t. Research efforts might pay off when a crop catches on. A recent of example of this is …

Hurricane Debby’s Impact on Georgia Pecans

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Hurricane Debby’s impact on Georgia’s pecan crop was not as severe as Idalia was the prior year. But it still affected trees with its high wind speeds and excessive rainfall, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. “That southern tier, starting around Lowndes County, Brooks, in there was hit pretty bad. Some of the …

Blueberry Cultivars: UF/IFAS Breeder Discusses New Releases

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producers will soon have a couple of new cultivar options to consider for future seasons. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry breeder Patricio Munoz confirmed that two new cultivars will soon be available. These include “Falcon” or FL17-141 and FL19-006. He highlighted Falcon first. “It’s very high yield and highly …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Technology Making Irrigation Smarter

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Technology applications in agriculture have blossomed in recent years. In irrigation, moisture sensors, weather stations and system control software are making applications much more efficient and well timed. From Citrus to Sweet Corn Several smartphone applications have been developed that can allow specialty crop growers to up their irrigation game. The University of Florida Institute of Food …

Florida Tomato Associations Hire Robert Guenther

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

Maitland, Fla. –The trade associations that support Florida’s tomato growers, packers, and shippers have hired Robert Guenther to be their next leader.  These associations include the Florida Tomato Exchange, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange and the Florida Tomato Committee. Guenther will serve as the executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange and Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, in addition to being …

Diamide Resistance Development in Beet Armyworms

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Two bioassays conducted at the University of Georgia (UGA) showed diamide insecticide resistance developing in beet armyworms. How widespread it is remains a mystery, says Stormy Sparks, UGA Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “That showed up last year. We’re still not sure how widespread it is. We’ve gotten reports from multiple crops, multiple people, multiple insecticides,” Sparks said. …

Ag Commissioner Simpson Announces Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program

Clint ThompsonFlorida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Debby will be able to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans beginning this week through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Loans can be used by eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers to restore, repair, or replace essential …

Tropical Storm and Hurricane Recovery Resources

Clint ThompsonUSDA

On the heels of Hurricane Debby’s trek through the Southeast this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers impacted by a tropical storm or hurricane that FSA has programs and resources available to provide assistance in recovery efforts. It is critical that producers keep accurate records to document damage or loss and report losses …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Tony Keinath (Extension Plant Pathologist) Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds …

Georgia’s Peach Production Nets 85% to 90%

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Peaches

By Clint Thompson What a difference a year made for Georgia’s peach producers. One year after experiencing the lowest of lows with regards to peach production, most of the state’s growers enjoyed the highest of highs with this year’s crop. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, described how different this year’s yield production was. “I think …