after freeze

Cold-Hardy Citrus Update Following December Freeze

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Freeze

Cold-hardy citrus in the Southeast endured sub-freezing temperatures in mid-December, the second major freeze to impact the region this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed how this freeze impacted citrus trees and fruit in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. “We’re seeing some damage on younger trees that were probably planted …

July 1 New Important Date for Labor Rate Changes

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers using the H-2A program for a reliable labor force, must now put July 1 on their calendars as an important date for their farming operations. As opposed to Jan. 1 when the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) could spike under the old Farm Labor Survey (FLS), AEWR changes could now happen mid-season under the …

Georgia Chill Hours Update

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia peach growers will be interested to know that current chill hours throughout the state remain on par with previous years, according to the UGA Weather Network. In Byron, Georgia, located in the central part of the state, there were 437.5 chill hours recorded from Nov. 1, 2025, to Jan. 5, compared to 420.25 last year and …

AFVGA Conference and Trade Show Regular Registration Ends Jan. 19

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson The Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) Annual Conference and Trade Show is about a month away for industry enthusiasts and specialty crop growers in the region. Those interested in attending should remember that regular registration will end Jan. 19. The cost for regular registration is $225. The last day to cancel and receive a refund …

‘Light Frost’ Leads to Bloom Burn in Florida Strawberries

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The emergence of neopestalotiopsis disease in Southeast strawberries has forced growers to manage their crops differently compared to previous years. Take Florida producer Dustin Grooms for instance. Grooms, who grows strawberries with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida, had to recently consider the disease’s impact against managing the crop amid plunging temperatures. “We had some cold weather …

Cost Reduction Key in Watermelon Production

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Cost reduction is near the top of watermelon farmers’ priority lists heading into the 2026 season. It was the subject of a presentation at the recent Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute in Fanning Springs, Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, was one of …

Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest Management

Web AdminSponsored Content

For Southeastern sweet corn growers, the fight against lepidopteran pests can be a nearly nonstop battle during critical parts of the season. To control these worms, it is not uncommon for sprays to be made daily during ear fill and the harvest window. Syngenta has a portfolio of sweet corn varieties that will help growers ease their lepidopteran management programs. …

Excitement, Innovation Set for 2026 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson It is the holiday season which means the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference is just around the corner. Next year’s conference, which attracts producers and industry specialists from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and the Carolinas, will be held in Savannah, Georgia, on Jan. 8-10, 2026. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers …

Row Covers: To Use or Not To Use?

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson To use row covers or not to use row covers, that is the question that most strawberry growers in the Southeast have already had to answer this season and likely will have to answer in the near future. According to UGA Extension, row covers are “simply miniature greenhouses placed directly over the row of crops.” Producers mostly …

UGA Extension Vegetable Specialist Provides Research Update on Okra

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Okra research remains a focus for scientists at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; more specifically, direct seed versus transplant. Ted McAvoy, UGA Extension vegetable specialist, highlighted the research in an interview with AgNet Media. McAvoy recommends transplanting, which provides multiple benefits for vegetable growers. “The historic method has been direct seed, …