Clemson’s Tony Melton Retires

Web AdminSouth Carolina, Top Posts

According to The South Carolina Grower, long-time Horticulture Agent Tony Melton retired in early July, concluding a 40-year career with Clemson University. Melton is best known for working with fruit and vegetable growers in the Pee Dee Region. Melton first began his career with Clemson University in 1980 in the Horticulture Department before earning his Master’s degree in Horticulture and …

Bayer Committed to Increasing Fruit, Vegetable Consumption

Web AdminFruit, Top Posts, Vegetables

Monheim, July 21, 2021 – With an announcement on Wednesday of new portfolio innovations and a business strategy for horticulture, Bayer reaffirms its commitment to increasing worldwide consumption of fruits and vegetables. The strategy focuses on activities that deliver solutions to the farm, advance sustainable innovations on the farm and address value chain and consumer needs beyond the farm. “Only …

Deadline Nearing for Alabama Disaster Relief Programs

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Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers have until July 26 to apply for the Alabama Agricultural Relief Program. According to the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019, provides funds for necessary expenses related to losses of crops, trees, bushes and vines related to Hurricane Michael in 2018. The United States Department …

Key Strategies to Slow Down Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot in Strawberries

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Strawberry, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The dawn of another strawberry season brings added concern of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease. The disease that has devastated the state’s strawberry crop since the 2018-19 season is the top concern for producers heading into the season. What can be done to manage the disease, which can cause leaf spots on strawberry plants? Natalia Peres, a Professor …

Wet Summer to Impact Fall Crops

Web AdminCucurbits, Disease, Georgia, Weather

By Clint Thompson Persistent rainfall in summer and early fall may favor conditions for foliar and soil-borne diseases in vegetable crops, particularly those that are caused by water molds or oomycetes, says Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable plant pathologist. “Saturated soils can promote damping off, seedling blight and root rot in transplanted vegetables, especially in low lying …

Downy Mildew Disease Detected on Watermelon in Georgia

Web AdminCucurbits, Disease, Georgia, Top Posts, Watermelon

According to the University of Georgia Extension vegetable blog, downy mildew disease has been detected on watermelon in Ben Hill County, Georgia. Downy mildew is among the top diseases of cucurbit crops, like cucumbers, watermelon, squashes and pumpkins. It can destroy plant foliage and cause the leaves to curl and die. This leaves the plant vulnerable to blisters and sunscald …

Fall Season Means Increased Risk for Florida Vegetable Producers

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By Clint Thompson The dawn of another fall vegetable season in Florida means increased risk for producers, especially when compared to spring production. “The fall generally has more risk exposure than the spring does,” says Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science. “You worry about whiteflies, you worry about tropical weather. You have all these things to …

Automation: Future of Farming Today

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The future of vegetable and specialty crop farming is now – or at least it needs to be. With labor a major concern, Southeast producers’ future may rest with automation, says Wes Porter, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension irrigation and precision agriculture specialist. “Labor prices are going up. Labor is getting harder and harder to find,” Porter …

Updates in South Carolina: Clemson Extension Provides Timely Information

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Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update 7-19-21 Statewide Dr. Tony Keinath’s remarks on fungicide stewardship: Growers who are applying newer fungicides that are pre-mixes of two active ingredients do not need to add another fungicide to the tank mix. …