MAITLAND, Fla. — The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recently affirmed that dumped imports of fresh tomatoes from Mexico are continuing to threaten the U.S. tomato industry, ending the Changed Circumstances Review brought by Mexican producers and keeping the antidumping duty order on fresh tomatoes from Mexico fully in force. The decision concludes a review the commission instituted on Jan. …
‘Little Tweaks’ Needed to Make Good Farm Bill Better
By Clint Thompson The draft text for the Senate’s version of the farm bill was well received by specialty crop groups. But there’s always room for improvements. That’s a view shared by Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA). Following the draft’s recent release, Quarles provided some “little tweaks” …
Dry Conditions Provide Silver Lining for Vidalia Onion Season
By Clint Thompson While the prolonged drought that impacted the Southeast this year reduced yields in some areas, the dry conditions provided some benefit for South Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop, particularly at harvest. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, recapped this year’s season, highlighted mostly by …
UF/IFAS Extension Agent Recaps North Florida Watermelon Season
By Clint Thompson Watermelon harvests have come and gone for North Florida producers in the Suwannee Valley Region. A challenging start to harvest season ended positively for growers, explains Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I think that, overall, the season has been okay, and I …
Despite Drought Relief, Irrigation Remains Critical for Cold-Hardy Citrus
Increased rainfall across the cold-hardy citrus region is a sight for sore eyes. Still, citrus growers in South Georgia, North Florida and South Alabama must stay on top of their trees’ water needs to help ensure a viable crop this season. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, spoke on this subject at the recent …
San Jose Scale’s Minimal Impact in Peaches
By Clint Thompson San Jose Scale’s impact in Georgia peaches this year has been noticeably not as bad compared to recent years. “No, it’s not bad this year,. I need to knock on wood, but we haven’t been seeing a huge pressure,” said Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “This …
Soil Tests Stressed During Irrigation Expo
By Clint Thompson Soil tests are a key management strategy for vegetable growers looking to remain sustainable. While soil tests are usually conducted in the fall, it never hurts for farmers to get a refresher on their importance. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia Extension vegetable specialist, stressed soil tests’ importance during the recent Georgia-Florida Irrigation Expo held at the University …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Optimizing Irrigation Efficiency and Incentives
By Frank Giles The Irrigation Association (IA) represents the people and companies who design, build and manage irrigation systems. This includes contractors and growers who rely on those systems every day. According to the IA, its core mission is to support those who make efficient irrigation possible while elevating irrigation’s role in food security, environmental stewardship and economic sustainability. The …
Florida Blueberry Meetings Scheduled for July
Florida blueberry growers are reminded about this summer’s growers meetings hosted by the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. This year’s two meeting are scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 in Bartow, Florida, and Wednesday, July 22 in Newberry, Florida. The meetings are free for growers and only $50 for allied partners for both meetings. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with the …
Miravis Top Resistance Susceptibility a Concern for Southeast Pecan Producers
By Clint Thompson Increased rains in the Southeast means pecan growers in Georgia and Alabama are applying fungicide treatments for scab disease with greater frequency. That means greater potential for Miravis Top to be overused despite being susceptible to resistance. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, cautioned producers about overusing the highly effective fungicide. “One issue we have …



















