By Karla Arboleda Growers in Georgia will soon be facing deadlines to secure their crop insurance. The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) office in Valdosta, Georgia, is reminding growers of deadlines related to their crop insurance and new counties that have been added to the program. Davina Lee, USDA RMA regional office director, highlights important dates …
What to Do About Watermelon Gummy Stem Blight and Fusarium Wilt
By Nicholas S. Dufault Gummy stem blight (GSB) and fusarium wilt (FW) can be common problems for watermelon producers in the Southeast. These two diseases are caused by fungal pathogens from the same taxonomic subphylum, but that is where the similarities end. GSB tends to be more of a foliar pathogen that can move to the petioles and vines, and …
Farm Bureau Leader: UF/IFAS Analysis Shows the Destructive Effects of Mexican Farm Imports
Gainesville, Fla. (FFBF) – A new economic analysis conducted by a University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) team has confirmed that Mexican imports have significantly harmed fruit and vegetable producers in the Sunshine State. A steadily increasing surge of Mexican products has entered the U.S. domestic market during Florida’s peak winter seasons since the North American Free Trade …
The 2019 Georgia Watermelon Season Starts
America’s favorite summertime treat in stores now LAGRANGE, GA – Sweet, refreshing Georgia watermelon is in a store near you! The 2019 watermelon crop is expected to have the crisp, sweet flavor and high quality unique to Georgia watermelon. Georgia growers report that after two years of unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, this growing season has been smooth. While initial …
Tomato Bacterial Spot Management Begins with Transplant Health
By Gary Vallad Few diseases present a persistent year-to-year challenge to tomato production like bacterial spot. Under ideal conditions, the disease can cause massive defoliation leading to yield losses through lost photosynthetic capacity and fruit exposure to the elements. This increases sunscald and raincheck as well as direct fruit infection by the pathogen. DISEASE SPREAD AND SYMPTOMS Xanthomonas perforans is …
Working Toward Disease-Resistant Sweet Corn
By Karla Arboleda Northern and southern corn leaf blights (NCLB and SCLB) are global problems. Caused by different fungi, these diseases have a history of devastating results in the United States. While the fungi that cause NCLB and SCLB have been heavily researched in field corn, scientists have only just gained traction when it comes to resistance in sweet corn. …
Legislative Leaders Meet on USMCA and Disaster Relief
It was a busy Friday in the Southeast for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he and other legislative leaders sat down with representatives from Florida and Georgia agriculture on June 7. The day started with a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a meeting in Doerun, Georgia. The main topics of discussion were the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and …
Trump Signs Disaster Relief Package
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law a $19.1 billion disaster-relief package that Florida officials have sought since Hurricane Michael pounded the Panhandle in October. The signing followed the U.S. House voting 354-58 on Monday to approve the measure, which passed the U.S. Senate earlier. The package is intended to assist communities in more than 40 states impacted by …
Georgia Congressman Relieved Disaster Package Passed
Disaster-aid legislation has now been signed into law by President Trump. The bill includes $19.1 billion for areas that suffered from natural disasters, including southwest Georgia, southern Alabama and Florida’s Panhandle, which saw major destruction following Hurricane Michael. While passing the aid for farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael is already a huge win, Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-1) is also pleased …
Long-Sought Disaster Aid Package Passes House
A federal disaster-relief package, long sought by Florida officials and Panhandle residents recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Michael, received approval Monday from the U.S. House after three earlier attempts were blocked. The 354-58 vote, which came after the House returned from a 10-day holiday recess, sends the $19.1 billion package to President Donald Trump. The Senate backed the measure …