Alabama Extension is providing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tips for specialty crop producers transitioning from summer to fall vegetable crops. Sanitation Sanitation is an IPM level one pest prevention tactic. It includes the removal of plant or crop debris immediately after production is over. Growers should not let the vines or plant debris rot at a location while doing other …
Syngenta Product: Archive Last Line of Defense for Potato Producers
Clint Thompson A fungicide product from Syngenta provides potato growers a last line of defense before their crop is placed into storage. Since potatoes are susceptible to diseases, especially as they can be stored up to nine months, farmers would benefit from Archive. It provides farmers an extra layer of protection right after harvest and before storage, said Chris Clemens, …
UGA Extension to Host Vidalia Onion Meeting
University of Georgia (UGA) Extension will host a Vidalia onion production meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the UGA Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. Lunch and Georgia pesticide license credits will be provided for potential attendees. UGA Extension specialists will provide timely information on disease management, storage trials, flavor research and fertility trials. Those interested can …
Sneak Peek: September 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The September issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights various alternative crops that Florida growers can take advantage of. These include pongamia and sorrel, which show potential in the Sunshine State; and bamboo, of which producers have formed an association. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are also searching for the next breakthrough crop. Potential …
Early Season Insecticide Applications Key in Managing Whiteflies
By Clint Thompson Early season insecticide applications to manage whiteflies are key for Florida cucurbit growers hoping to manage this annual pest. Jawwad Qureshi, an entomologist at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, discussed the importance of not delaying treatments at the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. It could have disastrous results. “These are an important …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 reports, “Wet, wet, wet, with a side of rain for us on the coast. The fields are saturated, and it’s almost impossible to spray or get into the fields to work them right …
USDA Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Funding Awarded to South Carolina
WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded more than $591,000 in Fiscal Year 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funding to South Carolina. This USDA grant will help the South Carolina Department of Agriculture fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the state and support growers through marketing, education, and research. …
Quiet Tropical Season: Calm Before the Storm?
By Clint Thompson A quiet tropical storm season so far is abnormal for this time of year. But it also could serve as the calm before the proverbial storm. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, discusses the rarity this calm tropical season has been so far. “It’s definitely unusual. It has happened once or twice before. It’s rare …
Solid Crop Needs to Survive Rust Mites
By Clint Thompson Citrus growers in North Florida and South Georgia are expected to start harvesting in early November. While the crop still looks promising, producers need to keep an eye on rust mites, says grower Kim Jones. “Rust mites can still be a real danger at this point. With fresh fruit, we’ve got to have a pretty piece of …
Georgia Department of Agriculture Announces 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Recipients
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA/AMS) Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.” Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, horticulture, turfgrass/sod, nursery, and greenhouse crops. “USDA …