Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Zack Snipes reports, “The talk of the Lowcountry this week is transplant die off. We see lots and lots of transplant die off and the culprits are usually mole crickets, ants, or cutworms. Tunneling near the …
Section 201 Investigation Looking at Blueberry Industry as a Whole
A central point of the federal agencies’ plan to investigate unfair trade practices is the focus on blueberries. The crop has been widely impacted by Mexican imports, which growers attest drove prices down this year amid the coronavirus pandemic. The plan’s highlights include, the USTR (Office of the U.S. Trade Representative) will request the International Trade Commission to initiate a …
USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for 2020
ATHENS, GA – During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2020. “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in southern states and it is crucial for us to …
Producing Pumpkins is Challenging in South Alabama
Growing pumpkins is popular in South Alabama, but it comes with its challenges. Neil Kelly, Alabama Regional Extension agent, said disease management is a huge concern for any grower interested in producing pumpkins. “The pumpkin crop is a difficult crop to grow in my part of the state. I just throw that out to there to everybody that calls about …
Use Resistant Varieties When Possible to Protect Against Whiteflies
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist Stormy Sparks paints an ominous picture of the potential devastation whiteflies will have on this year’s fall vegetable crop. “We’re probably a month ahead of the last two years. This is going to be challenging fall for whiteflies,” Sparks said. Vegetable producers across the Southeast have either planted or are currently planting their …
Alabama Hemp Producers Need to Apply Bait to Avoid Fire Ant Problems Next Season
Fire ants continue to be a problem for Alabama hemp producers. It started early in the season and has not let up with more young plants being put in the ground at the end of July. “We have a real staggered kind of planting date going on because hemp’s a new crop and everyone’s getting their land prepped and seeds …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Dr. Matt Cutulle reports, “With all the rain we had in August the weed seed bank is starting to pop. Nutsedge pressure can be really tough in September. For fall cole crop plantings, it is important …
Trialing and Developing Blackberries for Florida
By Zhanao Deng Blackberry has emerged as an alternative crop in Florida. More and more Florida growers are growing or trialing blackberries for commercial production. They have indicated a dire need for suitable blackberry cultivars that can yield well and produce berries of good quality. PAST CULTIVARS AND RESEARCH In the 1950s, University of Florida (UF) released two blackberry cultivars, …
USTR Offers Encouraging Action for Blueberry Producers
One commodity that’s been at the center of unfair trade disputes by producers in Georgia and Florida was at the forefront of the federal agencies’ plan of action issued this week. Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black was pleased to see the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requesting the International Trade Commission to initiate a Section 201 global …
Ask the Expert: What does CFAP Mean for Specialty Crop Producers?
By Carl Purvis, USDA In this Ask the Expert, Charles Stephens, Associate Deputy Administrator, Specialty Crops Program, for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) answers a few questions on how the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) can assist specialty crop growers. What is the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)? CFAP provides direct payments to producers to offset price declines and additional …