Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Staying Ahead of Fusarium Wilt in Watermelon

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles Watermelon production is big business in the Southeast. Florida and Georgia rank No. 1 and No. 2 in production, respectively. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture data, the two states produce half the commercial production in the country. For growers, the fungal disease fusarium wilt can be the worst problem encountered annually. The fungus can be seedborne, …

SCFBA’s Importance to Growers Amid Farm Bill Discussions

Clint ThompsonFarm Bill, Florida

By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) is a collaborative effort of more than 200 specialty crop organizations looking out for the best interests of producers in the ongoing farm bill negotiations. Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), discussed the SCFBA’s role in ensuring the specialty …

Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Worsening, Expanding in Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Drought

Any rainfall Alabama gets from Hurricane Francine this week will be much appreciated. According to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of the state is at least moderately dry with severe dry conditions being observed in Northwest Alabama and Southeast Alabama. The hurricane moved through Louisiana on Thursday with the potential for the first substantial rainfall coming …

UGA Extension Strawberry Blog: Management Options for Neopestalotiopsis

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Strawberries

Neopestalotiopsis fruit rot and leaf spot disease is already expected to impact next year’s strawberry crop. The question is how can growers minimize the potential damage the disease will likely have on plants ahead of next growing season? Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, outlined how producers can navigate next season’s expected increase of Neopestalotiopsis. …

Strawberry Plant Shortage? Neopestalotiopsis Wreaking Havoc on Supply

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson The recent revelation that Neopestalotiopsis impacted multiple nurseries from Prince Edward Island will affect the supply of strawberry tips and plug plants that are available for Southeast growers. Producers are likely to experience a shortage as well as a spike in costs per plants that are available, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and …

DOL Halts Implementation of Farmworker Protection Rule

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The court victory last week for users of the H-2A program regarding the implementation of the Farmworker Protection Rule led the Department of Labor (DOL) to suspend the rule altogether. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia granted a preliminary injunction, halting the effective date of the DOL’s Farmworker Protection Rule. The DOL could …

Victory for Users of H-2A Program

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers in Georgia and Florida scored a court victory on Monday. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia granted a preliminary injunction, halting the effective date of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) controversial Farmworker Protection Rule. The DOL cannot enforce the rule in the 17 states that were involved in challenging …

FFVA’s Rumenik Discusses Farm Bill at Expo

Clint ThompsonFarm Bill, Florida

By Clint Thompson The ongoing farm bill discussions were a highlight of this year’s general session at the Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo. Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), discussed the important piece of legislation. She believes its finalization will hinge greatly on what happens in November. “I think …

Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo a Sweet Success

Clint ThompsonCitrus and Specialty Crop Expo, Florida

By Clint Thompson The annual Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo was once again a sweet success for AgNet Media, organizers of the show, which was held Wednesday and Thursday in Tampa, Florida. Farmers, research specialists and industry experts flocked to the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida, to learn about research pertaining to citrus production and trendy topics affecting citrus …

Growers Reminded About Dangers of Floodwaters

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Hurricane Debby’s recent trek through North Florida and South Georgia serves as a reminder about the dangers of floodwaters contacting fruits and vegetables in the field. With the potential for additional storms over the next couple of months, growers are reminded that any crop that is on the ground and comes in contact with floodwaters cannot be …