Congressman Scott Speaks During ITC Blueberry Hearing

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U.S. Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08) testified on Tuesday during a virtual hearing with the U.S. International Trade Commission regarding a global safeguard investigation into fresh, chilled or frozen blueberries. The investigation centers on unfair trade practices regarding blueberry imports from foreign countries, including Mexico.

USDA Announces Details of the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum Program

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces details of the 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will be held virtually on Feb. 18-19, 2021. The 2021 Forum, themed “Building on Innovation: A Pathway to Resilience,” will focus on the central role science and innovation have played in helping the agricultural sector overcome challenges and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

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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 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Vegetable crops are growing out of the impacts of frost well. There is active Alternaria in places on brassica crops. Insect activity in vegetable crops in the area remains low. …

USITC to Investigate Effect of Imports on the U.S. Cucumber and Squash Industries

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The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for two new general factfinding investigations on the effects of imported cucumbers and imported squashes on the U.S. seasonal cucumber and squash markets. The investigations, Cucumbers: Effect of Imports on U.S. Seasonal Markets, with a Focus on the U.S. Southeast, and Squash: Effect of Imports on U.S. Seasonal Markets, with a …

Friday Deadline for Alabama Farmers Following Zeta

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The deadline is Friday for Alabama vegetable and specialty crop farmers seeking financial assistance from Hurricane Zeta. Producers who suffered losses related to Hurricane Zeta need to submit an application to the Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation for assistance from a Hurricane Relief Fund by this week. According to the alfafarmers.org, the relief fund is designed to help offset farmer losses …

Georgia Blueberry Commission to Receive Nominations

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The Georgia Blueberry Commission is taking nominations for a person to fill the unexpired term of Russ Goodman. The deadline for applications is Jan. 31, 2021. If interested, a person must be a grower of blueberries in Georgia and must be willing to commit to meetings and activities of the Blueberry Commission. The term will end the Summer of 2023. …

Georgia Blueberry Disease Management Update

Web AdminBerries, Disease, Georgia, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Jonathan Oliver In 2020, mild winter conditions followed by a wet spring contributed to the development of significant disease issues on Georgia blueberries. Among other issues, growers faced difficulties with preharvest and postharvest fruit rots and continuing problems with spring blueberry leaf rust epidemics. The fruit pathology program at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Tifton conducts trials to …

Winter Rains Mean Reduced Chance of Summer Drought

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Rainfall this winter should mean less potential for dry conditions in the summer for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. That could mean less need for irrigation usage for farmers during the hot summer months of June through August. Rain has not been lacking across the Southeast, especially during the latter part of December and so far in …

Southeast Agriculture Well Represented on House Ag Committee

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Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural groups in Washington, D.C., believes the 117th Congress yields a positive outlook for vegetable and specialty crop producers in the Southeast. Prominent Georgians are represented on the House Ag Committee. The committee is empowered with legislative oversight relating to the U.S. agriculture industry, forestry, nutrition …

Peach Varieties Susceptible to Bacterial Spot Disease

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Susceptible peach varieties make bacterial spot disease a problem that continues to linger for growers in the Southeast. That was a message that Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension plant pathologist, presented during last week’s Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference. “A lot of the varieties that people really want the fruit from are susceptible. Unfortunately, that’s the reality. …