U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack introduced the Federal Disaster Responsibility Act on Sept. 5. She said the bill, which fully funds the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), ensures that block grants are secured for Florida’s growers, among other things. The grants would make sure growers get the necessary tax breaks from hurricane losses they suffered. The bill would also …
Drought Monitor: Southern Alabama in Need of Rainfall
By Clint Thompson Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor showed dry conditions in some areas across the Southeast. South Alabama, in particular, is in need of rainfall. From Mobile County in the southwest corner of the state, to Houston County in the southeast, the entire region is dry. Most areas are abnormally dry, though Mobile and Baldwin counties in …
Pecan Specialist: Idalia Impact ‘Pretty Severe’ on Southeast Georgia Crop
By Clint Thompson Southwest Georgia is not the only area in the state with a substantial amount of pecan acres. The southeastern part of the state has grown tremendously over the past two decade, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. That is why Hurricane Idalia’s trek through the region on Aug. 31 left a devastating impact on …
UGA Vegetable Specialist: Nitrogen Applications in Onions Need to Be Adjusted
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion producers should avoid applying too much fertilizer during planting. Too much can be leached out over the course of the production season, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He discussed nitrogen applications and his research during the Vidalia onion meeting last week in Lyons, …
GFVGA Encourages Members to Fill Out Labor Survey
The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) encourages its producers to share their experiences with the H-2A program with the Agricultural Labor Working Group. The U.S. House Agriculture Committee established a bi-partisan committee that focuses on workforce issues faced by the country’s farmers. The Ag Labor Working Group is requesting input from growers via survey. Georgia is one of …
Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is a Hit in Tampa
By Frank Giles The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo ventured into new territory this year — literally. After three decades at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, this year’s event was held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. There were several factors forcing the move, including damage to the Lee Civic Center from Hurricane Ian. With a new …
NABC Applauds Reduction of Tariffs on U.S. Blueberry Exports to India
The North American Blueberry Council (NABC) is applauding the reduction of tariffs on U.S. blueberry exports to India. United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai announced on Friday that India has agreed to reduce tariffs on fresh, frozen and dried blueberries. NABC President Kasey Cronquist released the following statement in response to the announcement by the USTR: “We applaud the …
Georgia Ag Commissioner: Agriculture Took Pretty Significant Hit During Idalia
By Clint Thompson It did not take long for Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler Harper to determine the impact Hurricane Idalia had on his state’s No. 1 industry, especially the pecan crop. His group was in Southeast Georgia the day after the storm moved through the region on Aug. 30. They surveyed damage and spoke with farmers impacted by the natural …
Survey Says: Florida Producers Encouraged to Share Hurricane Idalia Impacts
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Hurricane Idalia made landfall the morning of Aug. 30 near Keaton Beach, Florida, but the Category 3 storm’s northeastern route brought rain and high winds to coastal regions along the western peninsula and inland agricultural counties. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) uses surveys after natural disasters, …
UF/IFAS Leader: Plant Pathology Department Has Broad Reach on Variety of Crops
By Clint Thompson Mathews Paret’s appointment as the new head of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) plant pathology department starts on Sept. 15. It is a critical time for Paret to take over the department considering the plethora of plant diseases that specialty crop growers must manage every year in Florida. “It’s a department …