Corn growers in southern Florida should be wary that Southern corn leaf blight disease is on the rise, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease is starting to appear in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Incidences are low but increasing in corn. Low levels of southern corn leaf blight were reported in a few fields in Southwest …
‘Positive’ Start for Florida Tomato Harvests
By Clint Thompson Tomato harvests are well under way across Florida. One industry expert likes the quality and quantity of this year’s fall crop. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, discussed the outlook facing Florida growers. “We started up about a week and a half, two weeks ago. We’ve had decent yields for the fall; I …
AI Set to Supercharge Ag Research
By Frank Giles In the past year, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained worldwide attention as breakthroughs like the large-language model ChatGPT wowed users with its capabilities and nearly humanlike feel when delivering results. As the technology rapidly advances, it also has set off alarm bells for some who believe that computer technology might outpace human ability to control it in …
Submit Soil Samples Now to Avoid Delays and Peak-Season Fees
Homeowners, gardeners, community gardeners, golf course superintendents, and turf consultants are encouraged to submit soil samples now to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agronomic Services to ensure faster turnaround time on results and avoid peak-season testing fees. “Soil test results completed this year are good for the next two to three years. So, if you have …
UGA to Hire Citrus Researchers Next Year
Georgia citrus growers will soon have research support from the University of Georgia (UGA), says Lindy Savelle, president of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission. She confirmed the news at the recent Cold Hardy Citrus Field Day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy. …
Quality, Quantity ‘Off’ with Georgia’s Pecan Crop
By Clint Thompson The quality and quantity of Georgia’s pecan crop is “off” compared to previous years, according to one industry expert. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, attributes some of the quality issues to the percent kernel being lower compared to previous years. “We’re actually seeing all over the state, even when the kernel looks good, we’re …
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Reinstates Use of Chlorpyrifos
There has been much concern in recent years on regulatory restrictions that are or could potentially limit crop protection tools growers have available to manage key pests. One such example was the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ban on the use of chlorpyrifos. The EPA revoked the tolerances for all uses of chlorpyrifos in 2021. The product had been an …
Minor Crop Farmer Alliance Issues Letter to EPA
The Minor Crop Farmer Alliance (MCFA), an alliance of national and regional organizations, is concerned about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft Herbicide Strategy Framework (HSF). The alliance recently expressed its concerns in a letter to the EPA. “If finalized as proposed, the approach reflected in the draft HSF will likely result in significant burdens for growers throughout the …
USDA ERS Study: Blueberry Second Most Popular U.S. Produced Berry
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) study concludes that blueberries are the second most popular berry in terms of value and volume of U.S. production. Highbush and lowbush varieties are the two main types, with highbush blueberries being used for the fresh market and lowbush used in the processed market. Approximately 90% of the total domestic …
What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 Phillip Carnley Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, …



















