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 …

EPA’s Potential Mancozeb Cancellation a Major Threat to Grape Industry in Southeast

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Grapes

By Clint Thompson The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed cancellation of mancozeb is a potential threat to the grape industry in the Southeast. According to the University of Georgia Extension Viticulture Blog, Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, encourages growers to submit a letter to the EPA concerning this potential action. The deadline for comments has …

Strawberry Plant Shortage? Neopestalotiopsis Wreaking Havoc on Supply

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson The recent revelation that Neopestalotiopsis impacted multiple nurseries from Prince Edward Island will affect the supply of strawberry tips and plug plants that are available for Southeast growers. Producers are likely to experience a shortage as well as a spike in costs per plants that are available, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and …

DOL Halts Implementation of Farmworker Protection Rule

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The court victory last week for users of the H-2A program regarding the implementation of the Farmworker Protection Rule led the Department of Labor (DOL) to suspend the rule altogether. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia granted a preliminary injunction, halting the effective date of the DOL’s Farmworker Protection Rule. The DOL could …

Dry Weather Benefiting Alabama Pumpkin Crop

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Pumpkins

By Clint Thompson The current dry weather sweltering Alabama is having a positive impact on the state’s pumpkin crop; as long as producers are able to apply irrigation. David Lawrence, regional Extension agent in central Alabama, discussed the crop in his coverage area. “We were pretty wet in July, and that’s always a concern when you’re growing cucurbits, is all …

Sneak Peek: September 2024 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonSneak peek

The September issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine puts watermelons under the spotlight. Melon 1 is the largest U.S. watermelon grower, packer and shipper in the United States. Founded in 1997, Melon 1 has expanded and provides its customers with a year-round supply of watermelons. Rachel Syngo, new business development manager for Melon 1, highlights what separates Melon 1, which …

Dry Alabama Looking for Much-Needed Rain

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson It is dry in Alabama. Not just in one area, either. It is prevalent throughout most of the state. Just ask Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in southeast Alabama. “We were fortunate early in the year, had been getting good rainfall. It’s really gotten drier now. We’ve been probably 20-plus days in a lot of places, …

Troxler Announces More Than $1.6 Million in Specialty Crop Research

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler has announced that nine research projects, focusing on helping specialty crop growers, were awarded more than $1.16 million in specialty crop block grant funding. “Specialty crops offer great opportunities for North Carolina farmers and these projects have the potential to lead to better production recommendations for farmers and ultimately increased production,” Troxler …

South Carolina Grower: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly 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. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary …