Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Georgia Grower Sees Strong Peach Production

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Harvest season is just around the corner for Southeast peach producers. For Lane Southern Orchards in Central Georgia, this means working round the clock this time of year. “The H-2A contracts start in February, so that’s when peach season starts,” says Tyler Wainwright, farm manager for Lane Southern Orchards. Wainwright oversees production practices in peach orchards west …

Couple of Factors Contributed to Rare Spring Drought

Clint ThompsonDrought

By Clint Thompson A springtime drought is abnormal. But considering the circumstances surrounding the drought’s buildup, dating back to last August, it should not be surprising for specialty crop growers in the middle of it. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, discussed the two main factors that contributed to a drought that has spanned over eight months. …

Florida Freeze

USDA Applauded for Issuing Disaster Declaration for Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster declaration that supports Florida’s agricultural producers impacted by the recent historic freeze events:  “I appreciate President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for always putting America’s farmers first, and for …

Vidalia Onion Diseases a Concern Following Recent Cold Weather

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers must guard against potential disease buildup following the recent barrage of cold weather. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, highlighted disease management in the UGA Vidalia Onion Blog. “We’re always worried about disease this time of year, but the …

So Far, So Good: Florida Blueberry Production Ahead of Schedule

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry production is ahead of schedule this year, says one industry expert. “Things have been looking a little early. Of course, it’s variety specific, but things are looking a little early,” said Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “I saw a pretty heavy floral bud set on …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Southeast Sweet Corn/Good Weather, Weak Prices

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The absence of extreme weather during this year’s sweet corn season in Florida benefited production but negatively impacted market prices. Weather conditions cooperated, as the state’s sweet corn growers produced a strong crop that was both high in quality and quantity. However, it also led to excess supply, which led to a drop in demand. Market prices …

crop

Specialty Crop Leader: SDRP Funds Coming At Good Time

Clint ThompsonAlabama, Georgia

By Clint Thompson Financial relief is available for specialty crop producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). That means much needed assistance for growers in Alabama and Georgia who have dealt with their share of hurricanes, freeze events and prolonged drought over the last couple of …

optimism

OTC Injections Spark Optimism

Dan CooperHLB Management

It can be hard to have hope if you are a farmer in today’s agricultural climate. It can be even harder to have optimism if you are a Florida citrus grower. Yet, Matt Joyner, Florida Citrus Mutual executive vice president and chief executive officer, has hope that the industry is trending upward even amid HLB and multiple hurricanes in previous …

Bumper Citrus Crop in Southwest Alabama

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Citrus producers in Southwest Alabama are experiencing a bumper crop this year. That’s good news for growers this season, not so much for next season, says Jacob Kelley, regional Extension agent in Southwest Alabama. “I think it’s been a really good crop. Last year wasn’t as great, but it was decent considering the freezing weather that we …