By Frank Giles When you tackle a big topic like the Specialty Crop Grower Magazine’s August cover story on inflation in agriculture, it is impossible to fit all the information related to the issue in the limited space of a magazine. Sharply rising inputs and production expenses have been a challenge for growers dating back to COVID. They have had …
Fungicide Sprays for Scab Disease Winding Down
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests will begin soon across the Southeast. With harvest season on the horizon in Georgia and Alabama, growers are also winding down their fungicide sprays for scab disease. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, talked about what fungicide sprays remain for growers, which largely depends on the variety. “Pawnee, which is of course is …
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. Lowcountry Report Anna Sara Hill Midlands Report Rob Last Sarah Scott Upstate Report Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn …
Harder to Control? Scab Disease Increasing in Pawnee
By Clint Thompson Scab disease may be becoming harder to control on the Pawnee pecan variety. That’s a concern shared by Lenny Wells, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension pecan specialist. Wells noted in the UGA Pecan Blog that his team saw more scab on Pawnee last year than what is observed in Desirables, a notoriously scab susceptible variety. “I had …
Agricultural Awareness: Financial, Environmental Factors Contributing to Farming’s Stress
By Clint Thompson Stress is synonymous with farming these days. Increased costs have amplified those concerns for producers, whether they are in row crop production or are producing fruits and vegetables. Diesel prices are averaging $5.35 per gallon. Fertilizer prices remain high, as are chemical costs. The spike in input expenses are worsened since market prices have not improved for …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Webinar Series Features Cucurbit Viruses and Management
By Frank Giles Whiteflies, aphids and other pests continue to be significant problems in Southeastern vegetable production. Recently, the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group hosted a series of webinars addressing several important viruses pests may carry. The group’s mission is to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate …
Control What You Can Control: SCFBA Advises Producers Amid Farm Bill Discussions
By Clint Thompson The frustrating aspect of the Senate Ag Committee’s failure to advance the farm bill was it mostly had nothing to do with agriculture. The political discourse over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was reportedly the main point of contingent that kept both republicans and democrats from agreeing to this key piece of legislation. What’s important now for …
Ag Lobbyist on H-2A Reform: We Need To Get It Right
By Clint Thompson H-2A reform has long been in need of a major haul; 40 years, in fact. That’s how long it’s been since the agricultural labor program has experienced change. Now is as good of a time as any for it to happen, says Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural …
Hedging Under Study for Cold-Hardy Citrus
One of satsuma mandarin’s drawbacks is its alternate bearing tendency. It will produce a heavy crop load one year and a low one the next year. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, said tree hedging may provide a solution. She discussed the management technique at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on …
Home Sweet Home: Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Returns to Fort Myers
By Clint Thompson The Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo returned home this year and provided the same vital information to steer growers to long-term sustainability. This week’s two-day event, held Wednesday and Thursday, was held in Fort Myers, Florida, its original home for nearly three decades. Citrus and specialty crop growers, along with vendors and industry specialists, flocked to the …


















