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Site Selection Key When Planting Citrus

Dan Cooper Cold Hardy, Planting

Before growers in the cold-hardy citrus region plants their first trees, they need to ensure the planting site is viable for production. Muhammad Shahid, assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, talked about the importance of site selection at the recent Citrus Health Forum held in Quincy, Florida. “You have to think …

El Niño Effect: Drought Almost Completely Gone Across Southeast

Clint Thompson Drought

The current El Niño weather pattern has certainly impacted the drought conditions that were present across the Southeast. According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, only a few areas in the region are abnormally dry. El Niño usually brings cooler temperatures and rainy weather to the Southeast during the winter which has been the case this year. It …

Florida Blueberry Grower: Roller Coaster of Warm, Cold Temperatures

Clint Thompson Blueberries, Florida

By Clint Thompson Weather challenged Florida blueberry production this year. It continues to disrupt harvest plans for growers who have already started picking this year’s crop. “It’s been a roller coaster of warm and then cold; warm and then cold. By the time it gets going, it gets shut down,” said Gary Smith, producer located in Winter Haven, Florida, who …

GFVGA Webinar: Fruit, Vegetable Industries Focus of OSHA’s National Emphasis Program

Clint Thompson Georgia, Labor

By Clint Thompson Georgia fruit and vegetable growers should be aware that their industries have been deemed higher heat-related risks and fall under the National Emphasis Program, led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). They are subject to more inspections and broader enforcement as a result. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers …

Georgia Melon Planting Season About to Start

Clint Thompson Georgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Georgia watermelon producers are on the cusp of planting this year’s crop. How many acres that equates to remains a question mark. “In general, I’ve heard that acreage is going to be increased this year,” said Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. “I talked to a few (growers) …

Whitefly Research: UGA Vegetable Specialist Discusses Management Option for Growers

Clint Thompson Georgia

By Clint Thompson Whiteflies are almost a guarantee for South Georgia vegetable producers in the fall. Growers need protection against whitefly-transmitted viruses which can devastate cucurbits. Ted McAvoy, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension vegetable specialist, is researching multiple cucurbit crops to see which ones are more tolerant of the different viruses that frequently accompany whitefly pressure. “Since about 2017, we’ve …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Congressional Inertia Hamstrings Produce Priorities

Clint Thompson Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Cathy Burns Last year, what the specialty crop industry received in terms of legislative and regulatory policies from federal lawmakers was a mixed bag. While we did see a few positives in terms of investment opportunities in innovation, technology and sustainability, we also saw negatives such as proposed cuts to the fruit and vegetable benefit in the Women, Infants …

Wage Rate

Sens. Rick Scott and Mike Crapo Urge Freeze to Ag Wage Rate

Dan Cooper Agribusiness, Labor, Legislative, Specialty Crops

Sen. Rick Scott joined Sen. Mike Crapo and 14 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership urging it include a freeze to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) in the earliest possible legislative vehicle. Joining Senators Scott and Crapo were Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Roger …

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

Clint Thompson Specialty 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 …