TriEst Ag Group: Partners in Profitability

Morgan AssafSponsored Content, Uncategorized

There is a lot of talk about sustainability and regeneration in agriculture these days. But what do those terms really mean? If you ask five people, you might get five different definitions. But for Josh Mays, Director of Agronomy for TriEst Ag Group, it all starts with profitability. Mays says “We should all be critical of how farming practices impact …

Alabama Extension Agent Highlights Current Weather Challenges Impacting Producers

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Weather conditions over the past month have challenged Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers. Excessive rain delayed growers from being able to get in the fields. Neil Kelly, Alabama regional Extension agent in Southeast Alabama, highlighted that challenge his producers have faced in recent weeks. “The biggest thing is just getting fields ready; getting ready to plant. We’ve …

Georgia Vegetable Producers Vote to Continue Commission Checkoff

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Georgia vegetable producers voted in February to continue the one cent per marketing unit on 14 different vegetable crops produced in Georgia for another three years. Crops included are cabbage, beans, greens, bell pepper, specialty pepper, tomatoes, eggplant, carrots, beets, cantaloupe, squash, broccoli, sweet potatoes and cucumbers. The assessment applies to growers who produce at least 50 acres or more …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Whitefly Update

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Whitefly infestations are increasing across vegetable fields in central and southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Multiple scouts reported low but increasing numbers of whiteflies on tomatoes in the central Florida area. Older squash plantings have been hit hard by the insects, as reports indicate moderate to high populations. Younger squash plants have low populations. …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

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 Lacy Barnette, Climate-Smart Leafy Greens Program Coastal Region Anna Sarah Hill Zack Snipes Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Sarah Scott Pee Dee Brittney King Upstate Andy Rollins Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower …

Tomato Breeding: One Way to Decrease Costly Need for Labor

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Labor expenses are a costly input for Florida tomato producers and serve as a significant reason the industry is emphasizing research into automated harvesters. Opinions vary on whether that dream ultimately becomes a reality, though University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown insists there are alternative ways for growers to …

What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint ThompsonSouth Carolina

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. Coastal Region Zack Snipes Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Sponsored ContentNew Syngenta Varieties Offer Grower SolutionsFebruary 1, 2026Attribute® II Technology Adds More Flexibility and Strength to Sweet Corn Pest ManagementJanuary 1, 2026Nuseed Carinata Covers …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Row-Middle Weed Control in Vegetable Plasticulture

Clint ThompsonSpecialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Ramdas Kanissery Battling weeds is a real struggle in vegetable plasticulture production — not just in the plastic mulched planting beds but also in the row-middle spaces between beds (see Figure 1). Weeds in the row middles can compete with the main crop while playing host to insect pests, nematodes and pathogens. Tackling row-middle weeds comes with its own …

Seeing Red: Appearance Important Trait in Tomato Breeding

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomatoes possess specific traits that growers desire to attract would-be consumers. These include quality, yield, shelf life, etc. Appearance is one, if not, the most important characteristic, says Jessica Chitwood-Brown, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. She spoke …

Florida Tomato Assessment Rate Could Increase By One Cent

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

Florida tomato producers are facing a proposed assessment rate increase for tomatoes produced in the state, from $0.025 cents to $0.035 cents, per 25-pound carton. This comes as a recommendation from the Florida Tomato Committee and would increase the assessment rate for 2023-2024 and subsequent fiscal periods. The proposed rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless it is modified, suspended …