Georgia Department of Agriculture ATLANTA, GA – Georgia pecan growers of 30 acres or more will vote in May on the renewal of a one-cent per pound assessment on pecans for the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Pecans. Pursuant Georgia law, producers are required to vote every three years to renew the assessment. Voting takes place May 1 through May …
UF/IFAS Vegetable Growers Meeting Rescheduled to Online Format
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida (UF)/IFAS vegetable growers meeting scheduled for April 23 will meet via online beginning at 10 a.m. Those interested in learning about weed management can join via https://ufl.zoom.us/j/831234086. The Meeting ID is 831 234 086. Those interested can also join via mobile: +16465588656, 831234086# US (New York);+16699006833, 831234086# US (San Jose). Due to the …
Farmers Markets Still Option for Produce Growers
By Clint Thompson Produce farmers in the Southeast are struggling with markets that have disappeared because of the loss of restaurants and closure of schools amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But Max Runge, Extension specialist in agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University, believes farmers markets remain a viable option for fruit and vegetable growers, especially those who operate …
Georgia Vegetable Growers Should Plan Ahead to Prepare for Harvest in Light of COVID-19 Pandemic
By Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva/UGA CAES News Most vegetable crops in Georgia — such as bell pepper, specialty peppers, tomato, eggplant, cucumber, yellow squash, and zucchini — are currently being planted and will continue to be into early April. These crops should be harvested in May and June. However, in light of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, Georgia …
COVID-19 Update for Growers and Packers
(UF/IFAS) — The CDC, FDA and USDA all agree “Currently, there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19”, including imported foods and materials. FDA has issued guidance that if an employee tests positive for COVID-19 they “do not anticipate that food products would need to be recalled or be withdrawn from the market”. Citrus growers, harvesters, packers, …
Bacterial Wilt Disease a New Concern for Florida Blueberry Growers
By Clint Thompson Bacterial wilt disease is a relatively new problem for Florida blueberry farmers, according to Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida. He said that though the ralstonia pathogen, which causes bacterial wilt in other Florida crops like tobacco, tomato and pepper, has been around for more than 100 years, some blueberry producers …
Ag Secretary Hears From Strawberry Growers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, accompanied by two congressmen, heard Florida strawberry growers’ concerns about trade and labor issues March 6 in Plant City. Perdue, Florida Congressman Ross Spano and Indiana Congressman Greg Pence, older brother of Vice President Mike Pence, lunched with growers at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Perdue says he likes to hear directly about issues from …
Labor Issues Concern Fruit and Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson The newly signed United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) raises almost as many questions as it answers with respect to labor costs, according to Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia agribusiness Extension economist. “The H-2A program which is in place is very expensive for the farmers, and that helps to increase the cost of production,” Fonsah said. “The good part …
Message to Potential Alabama Hemp Growers: Know What You’re Getting Into
By Clint Thompson Auburn University Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist Katelyn Kesheimer has a message for all farmers interested in growing hemp this year: Know what you’re getting into. During this year’s hemp meetings, which continue in March throughout Alabama, Kesheimer and other specialists are discussing economics, insects, weeds and diseases that are associated with hemp production. “We’re very clear …
UGA Extension Schedules Three Grape Growers Workshops
(UGA/CAES) — University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension is holding a series of workshops specifically for Georgia grape growers in March. The classes, set for March 3 in Carrollton; March 5 in Dahlonega; and March 17 in Ellijay, will cover disease and insect control and other critical components of an integrated pest management program for vineyards. “Vineyard managers ask questions …