Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Webinar Series Features Cucurbit Viruses and Management

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles Whiteflies, aphids and other pests continue to be significant problems in Southeastern vegetable production. Recently, the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group hosted a series of webinars addressing several important viruses pests may carry. The group’s mission is to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate …

Hedging Under Study for Cold-Hardy Citrus

Dan CooperCold Hardy, Pruning

One of satsuma mandarin’s drawbacks is its alternate bearing tendency. It will produce a heavy crop load one year and a low one the next year. Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist, said tree hedging may provide a solution. She discussed the management technique at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons, Georgia on …

Georgia Farmer Details Input Challenges

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson One of the top vegetable farmers in the Southeast is not immune to the inflationary costs impacting growers these days. In fact, Georgia farmer Kent Hamilton said his input costs have spiked every year since COVID. “We’ve got hit hard from every angle. And to be honest with you, ’21, ’22, and ’23, our business lost money, …

Ag Climatologist Discusses Current Drought Conditions

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The prolonged drought that lingered across the Southeast is still being observed in parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia; just to a lesser extent. The most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry areas still present in all three states. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, talked about the drought and how …

Georgia

Pathologist Provides Update on HLB Spread in Georgia

Dan CooperCitrus Greening, Georgia

Citrus greening disease continues to loom over the cold-hardy citrus region. While the industry expands in South Georgia and North Florida, the threat of the disease (also known as huanglongbing, or HLB) remains a focal point of citrus meetings, including on July 28 at the Southeast Georgia Citrus Update in Lyons. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and …

Look Before Planting: Inspect Strawberry Plants for Disease Symptoms

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Strawberry producers are less than three months away before they start planting next year’s crop in Georgia. Their first order of business is ensuring the plants are clean before they are put in the ground. Producers want to avoid a Neopestalotiopsis (Neo) outbreak, and a careful inspection will help make that happen. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia …

Lobbyist Updates Growers About Key Legislative Issues at Peanut Conference

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Last week’s Southern Peanut Growers Conference provided growers an opportunity to hear about various topics impacting the agricultural industry. One of the sessions focused on legislative issues. Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington D.C., attended the three-day conference and provided attendees with an update on …

Sneak Peek: August 2026 Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

In this month’s sneak peek, the August issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the skyrocketing input costs that are impacting day-to-day farming operations. Various growers across the Southeast spoke up about the costs, relating to diesel, fertilizer and pesticide use. Those growers included Kent Hamilton and Jessica Kirk from Georgia and Tony DiMare from Florida, who said he has …

NCAE CEO Thankful for GT Thompson’s Labor Bill

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Labor reform is hopefully on the way. It would be a long time coming for Southeast farmers, industry leaders and specialty crop organizations, who have advocated for H-2A reform for years. That includes John Hollay, president and CEO of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE). He expressed thanks to U.S. Representative GT Thompson and his labor …

False Positive: Food Safety Regulations Important Amid Potential Cyclospora Outbreak

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A potential outbreak of the Cyclospora parasite impacting lettuce should serve as a reminder to Southeast farmers about the importance of food safety protocols and keeping good records of food safety activities. Keith Schneider, a professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) food science and human nutrition department, talked about food safety …