Georgia pecan producers should be wary that black aphids have increased in numbers in recent weeks, according to the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Pecan Blog. Lenny Wells, UGA Extension specialist, said growers with black aphid-susceptible varieties have already been spraying, though they need to rotate the aphicide chemistries. “We have a number of good aphid products out there, including ... Read More The post Black Aphid Management Important for Georgia Pecan Producers appeared first on Specialty Crop Grower ..read more

Georgia’s citrus industry has a new leading lady. Actually, she’s a familiar face who has a new title. While Lindy Savelle will continue to promote Georgia citrus, it will be under the title of executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association (GCA). Savelle was the president of GCA for almost eight years. Now, the association has put a succession plan ... Read More The post Savelle Named Executive Director of Georgia Citrus Association appeared first on Specialty Crop Grower ..read more

By Clint Thompson A positive step was taken for Georgia specialty crop growers in the current lawsuit against the Department of Labor (DOL), challenging the new worker rules proposed for the H-2A program. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), a plaintiff in the case, said the implementation of the rules has been delayed until the end of August, pending a court hearing. “When the suit was originally brought and we asked for an injunction, the DOL and USDA and their attorneys came back and said they would postpone that until Aug. 29, and ..read more

By Clint Thompson Rainfall has been more persistent in recent days across the Southeast. According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, that current trend should continue over the next few weeks in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Pam Knox “It’s look like we’ve switched into a much wetter pattern. We were under this high pressure that lasted for most of June. That high pressure just shut down any chance of rain, and it was really hot, too,” Knox said. “That high has moved off to the Northeast, so it’s not really dominating our weather. We’re getting a lot more ..read more

The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Map courtesy of NDMC. By Clint Thompson Dry weather this time of year is not always a bad thing for pecan producers, but that is contingent on growers having irrigation set up for their orchards. “We recommend that you don’t even try to grow them without irrigation to begin with,” says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. “For growing pecans, i ..read more

UF/IFAS researcher Ali Sarkhosh inspects a passion fruit at his covered fields at PSREU in Citra, Florida. Photo taken 04-05-24 by UF/IFAS With Florida in peak passion fruit season, researchers are eyeing the sweet tropical fruit as a cash crop. At $3 per fruit at some supermarkets, farmers are able to receive $5 per pound for their harvest, according to Ali Sarkhosh, associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) horticultural sciences department. This price shows a high demand for passion fruit. But the passion fruit industry faces key ..read more

By Michael Schadler Suspension Agreement Purgatory The never-ending story of the United States-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement added a new chapter over the last year when the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) issued a request to the Biden administration to terminate the 28-year-old agreement. So far, FTE has received no response.  Michael Schadler The Tomato Suspension Agreement is an agreement between the U.S. Department of Commerce and Mexican tomato growers and exporters that suspends antidumping duties on imported Mexican tomatoes. In exchange, Mexican exporters agree to sell tomatoes ..read more

Phil Harmon urged growers to practice sound fungicide resistance management on their farms. Photo by Frank Giles By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association (FBGA) and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hit the road in July to host a series of meetings in key blueberry-growing regions of the state. MANAGE RESISTANCE UF/IFAS researchers covered several production topics during the meetings. Phil Harmon, professor of plant pathology, spoke about disease management in blueberries. One of his key messages was the importance of resistance ma ..read more

Photo by Clint Thompson/U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas speaking at the Southern Peanut Growers Conference last Friday. By Clint Thompson U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK.), the longest-serving Member on the House Committee on Agriculture, prefers the farm bill to be completed in 2024 rather than rolling over into 2025. He said the likelihood of that happening hinges on a little bit of luck with less than half the year remaining. “The lay of the land is changing, so it should give some urgency to the democrats I serve with in the House and Senate Ag Committee to get the work done. If present trends continue ..read more

Photo by Clint Thompson/Mike Parker speaks at the Peach Field Day. By Clint Thompson One of the most tedious, but necessary parts of peach production centers on fruit thinning. Producers must remove much of their crop so what’s remaining can increase in size and yields. One North Carolina State University researcher is confident a chemical option will soon be a viable alternative for growers. Photo by Clint Thompson/Peaches on trees at the Peach Field Day. Mike Parker, associate professor and Extension specialist in horticultural science at N.C. State, has researched Accede since 2017. He disc ..read more