By Clint Thompson Southeast vegetable and specialty crops are engaged in a long-term struggle against seasonal imports. While imports from countries like Mexico don’t appear to be dissipating anytime soon, growers must find ways to cut costs to remain sustainable. One tool in the production toolbox is mechanization. If machines can be developed that can perform required tasks like harvesting, …
2021 Pecan Season: Same Low Price, Diminished Yields?
By Clint Thompson One of Georgia’s biggest pecan crops in recent years is expected to drop significantly in 2021. Georgia’s crop that netted 147.5 million pounds is only expected to produce about half of that this fall, due to pecan’s alternate bearing cycle, believes University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells. That’s not good news for producers who …
CFAP 2 Key Benefit for Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Were your agricultural sales impacted by COVID-19? Why not take advantage of a United States Department of Agriculture program designed to provide aid to growers who struggled during the global pandemic. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP 2, provides financial assistance to producers whose markets were disrupted by COVID-19. This is part of a larger initiative …
FFVA Supports Reintroduction of The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) applauded The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act, which was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday as S. 2080 by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL). The bill was reintroduced in the U.S. House as H.R. 3926 by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Al Lawson (D-FL). The bill includes 32 co-sponsors …
GFVGA Celebrating 25 Years
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is celebrating 25 years of service. The organization will recognize this milestone with a special event on Aug. 21 at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. There will be a reception, dinner, awards program and dance. The event will recognize the individuals, organizations and industry leaders who …
Limiting Nematodes: Cover Crops Effective Management Option
By Clint Thompson The time in between production seasons provides Florida vegetable producers a chance to manage nematodes. While cover crops improve the soil quality and health in preparation for the upcoming growing season, they can also help reduce nematode reproduction; if growers implement cover crops that are poor hosts. “It’s basically got to be a decision a grower makes …
Cover Crops Beneficial for Vegetable Producers in South Florida
By Clint Thompson A break in between vegetable production seasons means fallow land for much of South Florida. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. University of Florida/IFAS continues to advocate the use of cover crops, though it’s not a management tactic practiced by many South Florida producers. “Those that do it seem to swear by it and continue …
Pecan Interest Slows Amid Rising Input Costs, Deflated Market Prices
By Clint Thompson Pecan interest has finally slowed amid rising input costs and a deflated market. Need proof? Just look at the attendance at Tuesday’s Pecan Beginner’s School at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. “The planting of nursery trees over the past year did drop. The number of trees planted, people are still planting, but I think …
Commissioner Fried Commends $6 Billion in USDA Aid for Producers
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried applauded the agricultural aid of $6 billion by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative. “With so many agricultural businesses and producers lacking equitable access to earlier assistance under the previous administration, this aid will be incredibly helpful to Florida’s farmers, ranchers, specialty crop growers, …
Insect Impact: Whiteflies, Wireworms, Rindworms Impacting Florida Watermelons
Insects are active in North Florida watermelon fields. According to his weekly email, Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said rindworms remain a problem. Growers need to maintain a good preventative program up until the last week of harvest. There have also been various reports of whitefly populations. This is especially concerning because they vector …