By Clint Thompson Fall is a busy time of year for farmers. It is harvest season for crops like peanuts and cotton. Fall vegetables are in the ground. Pecan harvests will begin ramping up soon as well. Producers must be aware that their tractors and other farm equipment are at risk as well. Alabama Extension cautions growers about farm equipment …
NWA Meeting With Congressional Leaders Highlights Need for Ag Labor Reform
By Clint Thompson Ag labor was the focus of discussions in early September when watermelon industry leaders met with Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C. National Watermelon Association (NWA) members, which included Jordan Carter, Greg Leger and George Szczepanski advocated for ag labor reform. Ag labor is the biggest expense for watermelon growers. But the H-2A system is complicated and, more …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Flexible Crop Insurance for Small Farms
By Frank Giles Many small farms must be diversified across several crops to serve their customers and to tap into different market opportunities over the course of a year. That diversity can present a challenge for growers looking to manage risks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) has developed an insurance product tailored to those types of …
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 Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, …
Drought’s Impact on Peach Trees in the Fall
By Clint Thompson Zero to minimal rainfall across Georgia over the past month should prompt the state’s peach producers to implement an essential management strategy. Though peach season has come and gone and with the trees nearing dormancy, growers must consider their trees’ water needs amid the current drought. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources …
The Relationship Between Snails and Weeds Needs Research
The preference of Bulimulus bonariensis snails to feed on weeds in citrus groves does not necessarily imply that increased weed management will lead to a reduction in pest populations. This relationship requires further research by Lauren Diepenbrock, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) assistant professor and entomologist. “It’s something I think we really need to look …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Optimizing Key Production Tools in Plastic Mulch Crops
Many specialty crops grown in the Southeast rely on plasticulture systems to optimize production. Key components of those systems include the mulch itself and other elements such as stakes utilized in crops like tomato and pepper. Paper Mulch For years, growers and agricultural researchers have studied ways to reduce waste in these systems to lessen costs and environmental impacts. Some …
How Dry Is It? North Alabama Farmers in ‘Water Conservation Mode’
By Clint Thompson The prolonged dry conditions in Northeast Alabama has forced the region’s fruit and vegetable growers to preserve what moisture remains in the ground, according to Eric Schavey, regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “For the month of August, everybody was just kind of riding it out. They hadn’t worked any ground, because they’re trying to let it …
Drying Up: Rain Needed for Vegetable Production
By Clint Thompson Prolonged periods of dry weather are not the worst thing for specialty crop growers. Most will say they prefer to apply their own water instead of having too much rainfall. It minimizes the disease pressure that producers have to manage. But there is such a scenario where a little rain would be welcomed, says Ty Torrance, University …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Expo Provides Plethora of Educational Presentations
By Frank Giles, Tacy Callies and Clint Thompson This year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa provided an extensive seminar program and various opportunities for growers to network with their peers. Educational programming focused on industry issues, citrus production, specialty crops and alternative crops. General Session The event’s general session touched on various topics like the farm economy, labor …



















