Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Biologicals Industry Continues Global Expansion

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

Mark Trimmer, president and founding partner of DunhamTrimmer, has more than 35 years of experience in research, product development, registration, technical service and technology licensing in the crop protection industry. DunhamTrimmer is a market research company focused exclusively on the global biocontrol, biostimulant, biofertilizer and crop nutrition markets. We asked Trimmer for an update of the state of the biologicals …

Ambrosia Beetles Control Important for Southeast Pecan Producers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Ambrosia beetle control this time of year is crucial for pecan producers in Georgia and Alabama. Young trees are most susceptible, as are those that are growing under stressed conditions. Apurba Barman, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus, is highlighting the insect’s management during the county winter meetings. “We started to …

psyllid

Now Is the Time to Knock Back Psyllid Populations

Dan CooperHLB Management, Pests, Psyllids

Now is the time for Florida citrus growers to implement management tactics to control the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), the insect that vectors citrus greening, also known as huanglongbing (HLB). ACPs are currently in low populations across Florida’s citrus-producing region. That means growers should act now to protect their crop from the insect’s impact, says Chris Oswalt, University of Florida …

Two UF/IFAS-Bred Strawberries Better at Resisting Chilli Thrips

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Chilli thrips plague farmers worldwide, but new research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has found two strawberry varieties that show less harm from these pests. The finding comes through research funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch program. That’s encouraging news for growers in …

Thrips Control Essential for Georgia Vidalia Onion Farmers

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion growers must prioritize thrips control with harvest season approaching. Since thrips vector center rot disease, producers must be diligent in their scouting and insecticide sprays, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent. “February is usually the time we start worrying about thrips, February and March, really. They are the two …

TSWV a Concern for Alabama Vegetable Farmers

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) should be a concern for Alabama vegetable growers. Two outbreaks since 2020 is cause for concern, especially since there were only two outbreaks in the previous 40 years. Alabama farmers must be mindful of controlling western flower thrips, the major vectors of the disease, says Paulo Gimenez Cremonez, Auburn Assistant Professor and …

grape producers

Georgia Legislative Update: Pesticide Labeling

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The 2025 Georgia State Legislative Session continues, and two proposed bills are hoping to protect the state’s agricultural sector by clarifying pesticide labeling. SB 144 and HB 424 passed unanimously through the Agriculture Committees. The purpose of SB 144, sponsored by Sen. Sam Watson, is to clarify what pesticide manufacturers are obligated to include on their product …

Thrips Threat: N.C. State Studying Pest’s Challenge to State’s Small Fruits

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson North Carolina (N.C.) berry farmers should be mindful of thrips. Not normally a problem for growers in North Carolina in past years, thrips have been gaining traction as a concerning pest recently, says Lorena Lopez, N.C. State assistant Extension professor of entomology and plant pathology. “Western flower thrips are the major thrips species that we have infesting …

Thrips Populations Increasing in Southern Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Thrips populations are increasing across multiple areas in southern Florida. This is according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts reported moderate levels of chili thrips and low levels of flower thrips in strawberry fields in central Florida. Population levels are increasing in Southwest Florida. Levels have increased from low to moderate for flower thrips and melon thrips. …

Spotted Wing Drosophila’s Continued Presence in South Georgia Blueberries

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Spotted wing drosophila remains a concern for South Georgia blueberry growers.  Ash Sial, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, stressed during the blueberry update held in early January that the best approach in managing the pest is not just a reliance on insecticides. Repeated applications of insecticides can lead to resistance and secondary pests. “We recommend against just …