According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, a new French ban on the sales of fruit and vegetables with identifying stickers could threaten future exports of U.S. sweet potatoes and grapefruits. The ban is slated to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2022. The report states that most U.S. grapefruits and some sweet potatoes shipped overseas have stickers …
UGA Vegetable Specialist: If it Dries Up (This) Week, We Should be in Good Shape
By Clint Thompson Daily rainfall this summer is not ideal for Georgia’s vegetable and specialty crop farmers. It is especially concerning for those growers gearing up for fall plantings. But it could be a lot worse, says Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “I will say, particularly for South Georgia, we’re …
International Pepper Conference Postponed Until 2022
The International Pepper Conference has been postponed for a second straight year due to continuing coronavirus pandemic concerns and ensuing traveling conditions. The next conference will be held Sept. 26-28, 2022 with the academic program taking place in Tucson, Arizona and the chie pepper variety trial, mechanical harvest, field and equipment demonstrations occurring at the Curry Chile and Seed Co. …
USHBC, Pagoda Celebrate USA Fresh Blueberries in China
SHENZHEN, China — Consumers in China can finally enjoy fresh blueberries from the United States. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) teamed up with Pagoda, a leading fruit retailer in China, on Thursday to hold a ceremony celebrating the arrival of fresh U.S. blueberries to mainland China, the first-ever promotion of USA fresh blueberries in China. The United States is …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Apocalyptic Scab Weather We’re Having Right Now
By Clint Thompson An already challenging time in the pecan industry is being made tougher this summer with the persistent rains. While the trees need rain to produce a crop in the fall, too much rain can lead to scab disease. With as much rain as being reported across Alabama and Georgia, a scab outbreak is quickly spiraling out of …
Results from Vegetable Chemical Use Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released the results of its 2020 Agricultural Chemical Use Survey of vegetable producers across the country. The data relates to pesticide use and pest management practices on 22 different vegetable crops. Producers in 18 states participated in the survey, which included eight-focused crops in Florida and eight in Georgia. The pesticide …
Explain Yourself: Florida Blueberry Producers Part of Survey on Pollinator Use
A national group of scientists, including University of Florida researcher Rachel Mallinger, hope to learn more about how blueberry growers use pollinators to boost their yields for the state’s $60 million-a-year industry. Mallinger is surveying Florida blueberry farmers to see how they utilize pollinators. “Pollination is extremely important for blueberries as little to no fruit forms without it,” said Mallinger, …
USDA Revises Performance Measures for AMS Grant Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced updated performance measures for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program, the Acer Access and Development Program, and the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. The updates will apply to the fiscal year 2022 grant cycle and beyond. “These improvements will make it easier …
Little Drought Reported Across Southeast
A wet summer across the Southeast can only mean one thing – very little drought across the region. That continues to be the case as evidence by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Persistent rains have provided sufficient moisture for Georgia and Alabama. Neither state is reporting any abnormally dry conditions. The majority of Florida has sufficient moisture as well, except for …
North Georgia Dealing with Excessive Rains
By Clint Thompson South Georgia is not the only part of the state receiving excessive rains this summer. The northern part of the state has received its share as well. It is impacting production at Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, located just above Gainesville. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms, said his 20 acres of watermelons will be ready for …