By Clint Thompson Bacterial spot disease was problematic for Georgia peach producers in 2025. In fact, one industry expert believes it was the worst it has been in about two decades. “It’s the worst bacterial spot year that we’ve had in about 20 years. We’ve had other years that were like this, but these are just devastating when you look …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Breeding Berries for Flavor, Disease Resistance
By Frank Giles Vance Whitaker has led the strawberry breeding program at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma since 2009. In September, Whitaker was recognized by the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) with its Researcher of the Year Award. Specialty Crop Grower asked Whitaker about his breeding …
USMCA Highlighted During Southeast Regional
By Clint Thompson The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was a featured topic during the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. The USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020. It has a couple of upcoming important dates that growers and industry leaders need to keep in mind. The USMCA requires the Free Trade Commission, which comprises governmental …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update 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 Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Samantha Brown Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, …
Georgia Chill Hour Update: Slow Start to 2026 But Still in Good Shape
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s chill hour accumulation is currently lagging behind last year’s totals, due to a slow start in January. The state is still in good shape, however, according to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “We were 80 hours ahead and then after the Southeast Regional Fruit …
Specialty Crop Leaders Express Disappointment with Latest House Spending Bills
WASHINGTON — Specialty crop leaders this week renewed their calls for urgent economic support for U.S. growers and shared their disappointment after the U.S. House released final spending bills on Tuesday that did not include aid for America’s specialty crop producers. “At a time when producers face rising costs, domestic labor shortages, and severe market and weather challenges, this omission …
Row Covers Needed for North Alabama Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Inclement weather predicted for this upcoming weekend and into early next week should prompt North Alabama strawberry producers to initiate a specific management practice. At least that’s what Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama, is advising his growers when they call asking him what to do. “I said I’m covering if I’m you,” Schavey said. …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update 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 Midlands Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary …
America First Trade Agenda: Under Secretary Lindberg Discusses Trade Deficit
By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin Seasonal imports of fresh fruits and vegetables remain a concern for Southeast producers. The concern was even a focus of a Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association letter to the Office of the USTR amid the USMCA review. AgNet Media’s Dale Sandlin interviewed Luke Lindberg, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, about …
Specialty Crop Leaders Join Call for Financial Relief Amid Ongoing Farm Crisis
WASHINGTON —The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) joined agricultural organizations from across the U.S. last week in calling on Congress for immediate financial assistance for America’s farmers and ranchers. Led by the American Farm Bureau Federation, the letter highlighted record-high input costs and historically low market prices in recent years have caused farmers to face negative margins and nearly …


















