Pest Alert: Ghost Snail (Bulimulus bonariensis) Bulimulus snails, sometimes called ghost or peanut snails, have increasingly become problematic for growers. The snails are an invasive species native to Central and South America and the Caribbean. They likely arrived in the United States on more than one occasion and from multiple locations. Where Is It? The snail was initially recognized as …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Cedar Waxwing Deterrence in Blueberries
By Frank Giles In research literature, cedar waxwings are described as frugivores — animals that thrive mostly on fruits. Blueberry growers know that term is spot on as the birds find blueberries a favorite source of food. For growers in Florida and Georgia, the birds can do significant damage to yields by direct feeding on the fruit or knocking berries …
Current Concerns for Cold-Hardy Citrus Growers
Cold-hardy citrus producers are about a month away from harvesting this year’s crop. A lot can happen during that time. What is beyond the grower’s control is what most concerns Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and co-owner of JoNina Farm in Ochlocknee, Georgia. “We personally experienced last year a 40-year hailstorm. So that’s always a possibility …
Sneak Peek: October 2026 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine
In this month’s sneak peek, the October issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine puts blueberries under the spotlight and includes a feature on a pair of Georgia growers who are helping build a better future for the crop. Hunter Williams and Randy Miller, producers in Southeast Georgia, have different experiences and paths to the specialty crop sector. They discussed the …
Cooler Weather Key to Cold-Hardy Citrus Quality
Cold-hardy citrus producers are yearning for some cooler weather. It would not only provide some relief from the warm temperatures being experienced across North Florida, South Georgia and South Alabama, cooler temperatures will aid in color development in this year’s fruit, among other benefits. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, discussed the impact of …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Increase in Year-Round Imports Pressuring Growers
By Frank Giles Every so often, we’ll see another data point that confirms an argument we’ve been making for years in the Southeastern specialty crop industry: Imports of fresh fruits and vegetables are putting our growers at a disadvantage. In this instance, the data comes from the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) recently published report, “Competing Across the Calendar: The …
Variety Testing A Focus of Upcoming SE Strawberry Expo
By Clint Thompson Registration is currently ongoing for this year’s Southeast Strawberry Expo scheduled for Nov. 8-11 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center and Resort in Mill Spring, North Carolina. One of the topics on this year’s agenda is variety testing, as conducted by Austin Wrenn, with Wrenn’s Farm. He will provide updates on what works well in what soil …
Strawberry Planting Season: Plant Source the Difference in Managing Neopestalotiopsis Disease
By Clint Thompson Strawberry plantings will soon begin across the Southeast. Plant sourcing remains the best line of defense against Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) disease, says Phil Brannen, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “We tell people to make sure you’re talking to your nurseries and getting from a nursery that does not have a history of having it, …
Cooler Temperatures On The Horizon
By Clint Thompson Cooler temperatures are on the way in the Southeast. It’s not a moment too soon for farmers and residents in Florida, Alabama and Georgia who have endured high temperatures well into September. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the heat and what’s on the horizon during an interview with AgNet Media. “It looks …
Certainty Needed With H-2A Wages
By Clint Thompson and Josh McGill Ag labor reform is necessary for long-term sustainability for fruit and vegetable farmers, especially those located in the Southeast region. But change is also needed for growers to have certainty as to what they are paying for workers in the H-2A program. Right now, that does not exist, says Mike Joyner, president of the …



















