Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 8/1/22 Midlands Justin Ballew reports, “It has gotten dry again in the Midlands. Scattered areas received some good rain over the weekend, but others missed it and remain badly in need. I’ve heard of …
Insects in Alabama: What to Watch for
By Clint Thompson Hot summertime weather conditions can fuel insect pressure. That is exactly the case in Alabama where multiple species are present and could pose a problem for specialty crop producers. Ayanava Majumdar, Extension professor in entomology and plant pathology at Auburn University, highlights the pests that growers need to be mindful of. “The armyworm pressure is consistent. We …
Blueberry Cultivation in Soilless Substrates
By Gerardo H. Nunez Blueberry production in containers filled with soilless substrates is rapidly expanding throughout the world and in the Southeast. Blueberry bushes are notorious for their strict soil requirements. They prefer well-drained, acidic soils with high organic matter. These soil characteristics are not common in many parts of the world. Thus, blueberries have traditionally been grown with soil …
Too Much Rain Versus Not Enough
By Clint Thompson South Georgia’s specialty crop farmers will soon be planting their fall crops. Weather will once again factor in what growers will have to be concerned with over the next couple of months. Will it rain too much and sprout diseases? Will it suddenly turn dry and lead to increased insect pressure? Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative …
CRDF Board Acts on Research Recommendations
The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) board of directors spent much of its monthly meeting in July considering recommendations from the foundation’s research management committee (RMC). TRACKING TREESThe RMC recommended that a request for proposals be put forth to create an inventory of all germplasm existing in field trials from the plant breeding programs CRDF has helped to fund. Having a …
‘Plenty’ of H-2A Workers Still Coming from Mexico
By Clint Thompson The only source for labor that Southeast specialty crop producers have to choose from will not be running out of applicants any time soon. Dan Bremer, with Agworks H2 LLC, discussed the H-2A program during the Southern Peanut Growers Conference last weekend. He believes farmers will always have labor options if they choose to pursue the H-2A …
Sneak Peek: August 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The August issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights blueberry cultivation in soilless substrates. Gerardo Nunez, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida in Gainesville, talks about the practice which is increasing in popularity across the world. While blueberry bushes are known for requiring drained, acidic soils that are high in organic matter, these characteristics are not common …
Fall Blueberry Conference Scheduled for Oct. 20
Florida blueberry growers can mark their calendars for the Florida Blueberry Growers Association’s annual Fall Conference and Trade Show, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20 at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. Registration details will be released soon, as will information regarding the meeting’s agenda, educational sessions, sponsorship opportunities and vendor information. Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower …
International Trade Commission Clears Way for Fertilizers
By Frank Giles The International Trade Commission (ITC) recently ruled against imposing tariffs on nitrogen fertilizers imported from Russia and Trinidad and Tobago. The panel’s ruling found that imports from those countries did not hurt American producers of fertilizer. The ITC ruling removed anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties of up to 132% on urea nitrate fertilizers from Russia. Duties of 113% …
Webinar Focuses on Citrus Trunk Injection to Treat HLB
The pros of injecting the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) into citrus tree trunks to combat HLB appear to be numerous, including increased fruit yield, according to scientist Ute Albrecht. On the other hand, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher only discussed one con, but it was a big one. “Trunk injections cause injury, and long-term effects need to …