By Clint Thompson The unseasonably warm February sparked growth in Florida’s strawberry crop that overwhelmed the market. It was not the ideal scenario for producers like Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “I definitely think (the warm February) hurt us. We needed a cold front to move through about once a week and we just didn’t see …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Sarah Scott reports, “Temperatures dropped below freezing along the Ridge two mornings last week. We’ve been checking peaches over the past few days to assess the damage. Right now, it seems a lot …
California Floods Affect Florida’s Strawberry Production
By Clint Thompson The current weather crisis in California is impacting Florida’s strawberry harvests. One producer said he is picking additional fruit this time of year amid the floods out west. “I go until April normally with some of them, but we’re going a little longer than normal because California is in disarray with all the weather they’ve been getting. …
California Floods Impacting Florida’s Strawberry Harvests
By Clint Thompson The current weather crisis in California is impacting Florida’s strawberry harvests. One producer said he is picking additional fruit this time of year amid the floods out west. “I go until April normally with some of them, but we’re going a little longer than normal because California is in disarray with all the weather they’ve been getting. …
Optimize Strawberry Fertility with Plant Tissue Testing
RALEIGH – In order for strawberry producers to optimize growth, fruit quality and economic return of their crop, intensive and precise fertilization is required throughout the season. Plant tissue testing measures nutrient levels in the leaflets and compares them to established target concentrations for healthy strawberries. This analysis can reveal nutrient deficiencies and imbalances within the plant and allow …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Justin Ballew reports, “Well, we knew a “late” cold spell was likely to happen at some point. Growers will need to take some steps to prepare for the cold over the next few …
February Crop Updates for Southeastern States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service released crop updates for February for states in the Southeast. ALABAMA: February temperatures ranged from 3.7 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 9.9 degrees F warmer than normal depending on the location. Total rainfall for the month ranged from 1.3 inches in Dale County to 9.2 inches in Marshall County. Most of the …
Farm Groups Express Concern Over New Methodology for Determining AEWR
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published its final rule this week publish to amend how the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the H-2A program are set to improve the rates’ consistency and accuracy based on the work actually performed by the workers and to better prevent H-2A workers’ employment negatively affecting the wages of U.S. workers in similar …
FFVA Sends Letter to EPA About TM Fungicide
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for thiophanate-methyl (TM) fungicide. Strawberry, cucurbit vegetable, succulent bean, potato and peach producers, including FFVA members, benefit from the fungicide, as it manages and suppresses key diseases. These include white mold, crown rot, …
Diversification: Secret to Specialty Crop Success
By Clint Thompson Drew Echols attributes his success to not putting all of his eggs in one basket. The fifth-generation farmer who co-owns production on more than 600 acres in northeast Georgia is not afraid to adjust his farming practices to fit the current needs of specialty crop production. INCREASING ACRES, CROPS AND MARKETS“I looked at a lot of these …