By Clint Thompson The latest Vidalia onion budget prepared by University of Georgia Extension specialists estimates farmers invest more than $7,000 in input costs. That puts the break-even price at $15 per box for producers. Fortunately, market prices have been strong in recent years. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research …
SCFBA’s Recommendations for Farm Bill Highlight Unfair Trade
By Clint Thompson A contentious issue at the heart of specialty crop farmers in Georgia and Florida is one of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA)’s main core principles for the 2023 Farm Bill. It focuses on trade and foreign competition which has frustrated fruit and vegetable growers for decades. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and …
IFAS Blueberry Management Tips
Florida blueberry growers are just a few weeks away from harvest season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences offers growers management tips for this point in the season. Producers should monitor for botrytis and apply control measures as needed. Any applications of fungicides prior to a need for overhead irrigation as freeze protection can help reduce disease …
Scala Fungicide No Longer Viable Option on Botrytis for Vidalia Onion Producers
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion producers should be wary that Scala fungicide appears to not be effective anymore on botrytis, an important disease that growers contend with every season. That also has an indirect impact on Luna Tranquility’s impact since it partially contains Scala. Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Extension vegetable plant pathologist, discussed the disease and options available for …
Blueberry Management Tips for February
Florida blueberry growers are just a few weeks away from harvest season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences offers growers management tips for this point in the season. Producers should monitor for botrytis and apply control measures as needed. Any applications of fungicides prior to a need for overhead irrigation as freeze protection can help reduce disease …
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. Statewide Guido Schnabel reports, “The new year started with a disappointment and scare for some strawberry growers; stunted plants, gaps in the strawberry rows and leaves dying. The extent of the damage is yet …
Tracking HLB in GeorgiaÂ
When commercial citrus acreage started migrating north some years ago, the big question was: To what extent would Asian citrus psyllids (ACP) and HLB migrate with the crop? With citrus getting well established in South Georgia, the pest and disease are there, but not yet at devastating levels like in Florida. Johnathan Oliver, an assistant professor of fruit pathology with …
UGA Specialist Provides Blueberry Harvest Tips
By Clint Thompson Blueberry harvest season is just around the corner for Southeast producers. Proper harvest and handling practices can make the difference in growers producing the best fruit quality. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, provided reminders for farmers during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. The main tip is to handle …
Nutsedge Control Requires Year-Round Management
By Clint Thompson One of the main weed threats to vegetable production requires a year-round management strategy, not just when the crop is in season. Stanley Culpepper, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension weed specialist, discussed the nutsedge management during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “Nutsedge is always a problem in vegetable production. It’s such …
Addressing High Labor Costs in Produce Industry
As labor costs for fruit and vegetable growers continue to spike, producers need to look at alternative strategies available to improve management and increase production. Rod Bain with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports on the options available. (PARTICIPANT: Skyler Simnitt of the Economic Research Service) Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility …