By Clint Thompson The pecan harvest season is mostly in the books for Georgia producers. While market prices did not cooperate for the growers, production was good, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He said additional acreage coming into production offset some of the missed projections by producers at the beginning of the season. “It wasn’t …
UGA Extension Specialist Provides Pecan Harvest Update
By Clint Thompson More of Georgia’s pecan crop is being stored amid the low market prices growers are being offered this harvest season. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, that may change after the first of the new year. But for the time being, growers are choosing to store their pecans in hopes of prices increasing …
Florida Strawberry Grower: Volume is Not Quite There Yet, But It’s Coming
By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry growers had a delayed start to the season; some intentionally and others by Hurricane Ian. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, estimates that 80% of the industry decided to begin plantings later this year, a week later than normal. But then some had plants ready to go before being sidelined …
Rubio, Lawson to USTR: “Untenable Situation Imposed by Mexico’s Practices and Policies”
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Al Lawson (D-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation to petition U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to initiate a Section 301 investigation of fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico and to secure trade relief for Florida growers. “The Biden Administration has affirmed its intention to protect and reinvigorate critical supply chains …
Rubio, Colleagues Petition USTR to Protect Florida Producers from Unfair Trade Practices
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Representative Al Lawson (D-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation to petition U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to initiate a Section 301 investigation of fruit and vegetable imports from Mexico and to secure trade relief for Florida growers. …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Growers Need a Good Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers desperately need a productive season in yields and prices following years of frustration on the heels of Hurricane Michael in 2018. The growers could get their wish. Farmers could see high yields combined with favorable market prices, which should add up to the best season in years for producers. “This year it looks like we’ve …
Peach Season Concludes in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Another peach season is in the books for most Georgia producers. After the late-season freeze event on March 13, growers were fortunate just to have a crop this year. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed how fortunate farmers were to have peaches at all when …
GFVGA Executive Vice President: Price Challenges are Still There
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s specialty crop producers are in the process of planting this year’s fall crops. It comes on the heels of one of the most challenging spring/summer seasons they have ever experienced. The changing weather patterns of persistent rains to hot and dry conditions were a small part of this year’s challenge. The biggest hurdle remains diminished market …
Freedom to Farm Bill Passes in Georgia
By Clint Thompson The Freedom to Farm bill in Georgia was a legislative win for the state’s specialty crop producers. Just ask Will Bentley, president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council. “Freedom to Farm was the biggest bill, probably, we’ve had pass in a long time,” said Bentley, whose organization was an avid supporter of the bill. ONE LESS WORRYThere is …
Input Expenses Still a Concern for South Florida Growers Ahead of Fall Crop
By Clint Thompson It is a time to relax, reflect and look ahead to the fall crop if you are a vegetable farmer in South Florida. “Everybody’s pretty much on vacation in the vegetable world,” said Gene McAvoy, associate director for stakeholder relations at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. …