By Clint Thompson Hurricane peak season has come and gone, but that does not mean future storms this fall are out of the question. In fact, specialty crop growers should be mindful that potential storms are now more likely to originate in the Gulf Mexico this time of year, which would not provide ample time for producers in Florida, Georgia …
Strawberry Shortage: UGA Extension Agent Confirms Lack of Available Plants
By Clint Thompson Strawberry plantings have begun across the Southeast… at least for those growers who have their plants. Some producers have already expressed to Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, that there is a plant shortage. “We’re a little early really. Some of the guys around here still …
It Is Time to Talk About Quality
By Gerardo H. Nunez Long gone are the days when blueberries were a seasonal product. Nowadays, blueberries are available at the grocery store year-round thanks to innovations in plant breeding and a flood of imported fruit. This is changing the scenario for blueberry growers in the Southeast. Suddenly, growing fruit for the early spring market is not enough. The market …
FFVA Supports Termination of 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted a letter urging the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to approve the Florida Tomato Exchange’s (FTE) request to terminate the U.S.-Mexico Antidumping Tomato Suspension Agreement. The FFVA emphasized the adverse impact of unfair subsidies provided by the Mexican government to its fruit and vegetable industry. The challenges faced by the tomato industry …
FPAA Cites Study with no Basis in Reality to Distract from Mexican Dumping
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA), which represents importers of Mexican tomatoes, used a misleading study to distract from Mexico’s record of dumping tomatoes. The study claims that tomato prices will rise by an average of 52% if antidumping duties are imposed on imports of Mexican tomatoes. This conclusion, however, is based on fantasy and not on market …
What’s Needed to Ensure a Sweet Future for Georgia Blueberries
By Clint Thompson One of the largest and most productive blueberry growers in Georgia is concerned about the obstacles that will challenge his ability to remain sustainable in the future. That is why Kevin Eason voices his concerns to those who will listen. He aims to educate legislative leaders about the issues that challenge his sustainability as a farmer. Eason …
Current Dry Spell Not Abnormal for This Time of Year
By Clint Thompson The current dry weather sweeping through the Southeast is not abnormal for this time of year. It is also not expected to improve anytime soon, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist. “The seven-day forecast I looked at (last Thursday night) for rainfall is basically zero for anything that’s north of the border between Georgia …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces the Protection of 13,371 Acres of Ranchland through the Rural and Family Lands Protection ProgramÂ
Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced the protection of 13,371 acres of Florida ranchlands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 13,371 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective agricultural conservation easements totaling $36,754,000. Agricultural conservation easements prevent future development of the land …
Citrus Display Season Is Here
By Peter Chaires Each year, the citrus breeding teams provide opportunities for interested parties to sample fruit from new and recent selections. This is a great opportunity to keep current on the results of this research. Some of these events also include field tours and opportunities to see the trees. A significant effort is being made to accelerate the identification …
It’s Dry Out There: Most of Alabama Experiencing Drought-Like Conditions
Hot and dry conditions remain prevalent across the Southeast. Drought-like conditions are observed across various areas of Alabama, Florida and Georgia, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Dry conditions are observed over most of Alabama, from Mobile and Baldwin counties in the southwest part of the state, all the way to Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison and Jackson counties in North Alabama. …