A referendum is under way for U.S. blueberry producers and will continue through Oct. 22. The referendum is being conducted for eligible producers and importers of highbush blueberries to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s regulations regarding a national highbush blueberry research and promotion program. The Georgia Blueberrry Commission, however, has issued a unanimous vote to …
UF/IFAS to Host Upcoming Citrus Events
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) faculty are hosting a number of events for citrus growers in the upcoming weeks. All events are free but require preregistration. Oct. 26 Citrus Nutrition Day 9 a.m. to Noon Citrus Research and Education Center Ben Hill …
Vaccine Mandate: AFBF Concerned About Potential Impact on Agriculture
By Clint Thompson President Joe Biden’s wish that businesses require COVID-19 vaccines for their employees has Ag leaders concerned about its potential impact for farmers. Allison Crittenden, Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), offers her concerns about the ramifications that implementing such a mandate would have on local producers. “We are always focused on how …
Inspect Citrus Trees’ Roots Before Planting
By Clint Thompson Rooting issues in citrus containers were a major problem this year for producers in Georgia. Kim Jones, who farms citrus in Georgia and Florida, implores producers to inspect their trees extensively before planting in the future. He said there were various reports of j-rooting and circle-rooting in container plants. The trees would be more vulnerable to high-stress …
Tomato Prices High For Southeast Farmers
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are up. Supply is low. But that’s not necessarily a good proposition for farmers with a crop, says Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science. “Prices are up. Supply is tight right now. Where we would typically be sourcing tomatoes from, at least in the eastern U.S., would be kind of in …
Social Media: A Farmer’s Best Marketing Friend
By Clint Thompson Social media can be a farmer’s best friend when marketing their fruits and vegetables. That’s the message Marlee Moore, multimedia content director at the Alabama Farmers Federation, is conveying to Alabama producers. “I think in general, produce is suited for selling on social media because it’s more of a seasonal thing. When it gets to be spring …
Farmer Testimonial: Georgia Producer Sounds Off on Increased Input Costs
By Clint Thompson Increased input costs are an ongoing battle for Southeast fruit and vegetable crop producers. But what can be done to counter the rapidly rising expenses that growers are paying for freight, containers, fertilizer and labor? One Georgia producer believes staying up to date on your regular expenses is a first step in possibly increasing commodity prices. During …
Psyllid Control? Fungal Pathogen Effective Against Citrus Greening Vector
By Robin Koestoyo FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Asian citrus psyllid transmits the bacterium associated with the most serious citrus disease worldwide — and now it has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen. The citrus industry at its zenith was spread across about 950,000 Florida acres. Citrus greening reduced it to today’s approximate 400,000 acres. The fungus is Cordyceps …
GFVGA President: (Labor’s) an Enormous Problem Right Now
By Clint Thompson Labor reform is at the top of the list of concerns for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Congress needs to formulate a solution sooner rather than later, says Drew Echols, president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “What we need is we need our republican friends to engage the democrats on …
Hemp Unknowns a Concern for Alabama Extension Vegetable Specialist
By Clint Thompson Hemp research by Alabama Extension vegetable specialists is still in its infancy, but Joe Kemble has seen enough to not like the crop’s potential, at least for all specialty crop producers. “Honestly, I’m not sure there’s ever going to be a good time to harvest hemp. I’d like to say this is great and that everyone should …