Fruit is scarce this season on satsuma trees. There was an oversupply of satsuma mandarins in the cold-hardy citrus region last season. That will not be the case in 2025. According to Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and member of the Georgia Citrus Commission, satsuma supply will be extremely low for the upcoming season. “In our …
Sneak Peek: July 2025 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
The July issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine puts Paul Orsenigo, founder of Grower’s Management Inc. in the spotlight. Unlike multigenerational farm families, Orsenigo is a first-generation farmer in the Everglades Agricultural Area in Florida. He produces a variety of leafy greens, sweet corn, sugar cane and rice. He discusses his humble beginnings, and they evolved into a 40-year journey …
Water Needs Critical for Region’s Citrus Trees
By Clint Thompson Timing is critical for water needs for next season’s citrus crops across the Southeast. Much of the groves in the cold-hardy citrus region of North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama are receiving their share of rainfall. But others are not. It is why producers need to remain diligent in applying water to their trees, says Mary …
Power Panel: Various Topics Planned for Expo Discussion
By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable production will be under the spotlight during this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, scheduled for Aug. 20-21 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. There are no shortage of topics impacting growers across the Southeast, including Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama. They’ll be discussed during a panel discussion featuring leaders from …
Georgia Watermelon Growers Hope Prices Stabilize
By Clint Thompson Watermelon prices have not cooperated for Southeast growers looking to capitalize on their crop this summer. That’s a disheartening scenario for Georgia producers who are in the middle of their harvest season and will continue to be for a couple of more weeks. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental …
Field Day Touts Vegetable Research
In June, the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (SWFREC) hosted a spring vegetable production field day to highlight research being conducted at the center. As field day attendees disembarked from the tractor-pulled trolleys, SWFREC master’s graduate student Bryan Merlos Osorio grabbed a microphone and quickly began describing the vegetable horticulture research trial in front of them. Among many things, …
July 1 Important Date Surrounding AEWR
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop growers should circle July 1 on their calendars. It could serve as a pivotal date in producers’ fight against the continued spike of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR). The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) and Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the NCAE, challenged the legality of the AEWR. July …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Termination of Tomato Suspension Agreement a Victory
By Clint Thompson The termination of the United States-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement is a win for the domestic industry and should increase domestic production across the country. That’s the hope shared by Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. It was announced on April 14 that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) terminated the 2019 United States-Mexico …
Disease Resistance in Watermelons Under the Research Spotlight
By Clint Thompson Watermelons encounter their share of diseases in the Southeast. BASF/Nunhems is hoping to help producers overcome some of those diseases, especially fusarium wilt. In conjunction with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, BASF/Nunhems hosted its North Florida Watermelon Variety Showcase in Lake Butler, Florida, last week. Ruhiyyih Dyrdahl-Young, Nunhems area sales manager for …
UGA Extension Citrus Specialist Discusses Rust Mites
By Clint Thompson Citrus producers in the Cold-Hardy Citrus Region must be mindful of citrus rust mites (CRM) amid the warm, humid climate in the region. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, implores growers in North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama to be proactive in managing the populations which are currently high. “They …