Vegetable Disease Update in South Georgia

Jim Rogers Disease, Georgia, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson Fruit and vegetable season is in full swing across the South Georgia region. Watermelons, a popular crop produced in the area, are currently being harvested. Ty Torrance, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable agent for Colquitt, Tift and Worth counties, talks about production and the lack of disease pressure growers encountered this year. “There have been some …

Alabama Extension to Host High Tunnel Vegetable Workshop

Jim Rogers Alabama, NRCS, Vegetables

Alabama Extension will host a high tunnel vegetable workshop on Wednesday, June 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at Gibbons Farm, 1162 County Road 42, Prattville, Alabama 36067. Interested attendees will learn about high tunnel vegetable crop management as well as other topics like irrigation and fertility management, pest exclusion systems, insect monitoring and …

Managing Phytophthora Blight on Pepper

Jim Rogers Disease, Peppers, Tomatoes

Phytophthora blight disease on pepper and tomato has been observed in South Carolina vegetable fields, according to Clemson plant pathologist Tony Keinath and Extension agent Andy Rollins in The South Carolina Grower. Heavy rainfall in the Upstate from May 23 to May 26 led to the disease emergence after June 1. The saturated soils provided an ideal environment for oospores …

green plant

Alabama Extension Commercial Horticulture Teams to Host Vegetable Field Day

Jim Rogers Organic, Vegetables

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.— Join the Alabama Cooperative Extension commercial horticulture team for a conventional and organic vegetable crop field day on May 31. The field day will be held at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter, Alabama from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Tours will begin at the plant breeding unit at the railroad track …

pile of assorted varieties of vegetables

Fresh Vegetable Trade Volume Up in 2021

Jim Rogers Trade, Vegetables

Fresh vegetable trade volume was up in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. The United States remained a net importer of fresh-market vegetables in volume and value terms. The value of imports increased 5% to $10.4 billion, while the value of exports increased 3% to $2.4 billion. Import value grew 81% over the past decade, …

Peppers: Industry Expert Provides Market, Production Updates

Clint Thompson Peppers

Neil Mazal, with East Coast Farms and Vegetables in Lake Worth, Florida, provided an update on pepper production and current market prices. Some of the highlights included: The red pepper market is very strong. There was a flush of red pepper out of Mexico that’s dried up. The field grown red pepper in Florida are done. Canada is not ready …

Pepper Weevil Impact in Florida

Jim Rogers Florida, Peppers, Pests

High populations of pepper weevil are being reported in various fields across South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations are high in all locations across the Southwest Florida region. Some younger plantings may not be harvested at all due to most fruit being infested. Adult pepper weevils are feeding on buds and flowers. The same …

Giant Pestiferous Lizards a Threat to Fruits and Vegetables in South Georgia

Jim Rogers Fruit, Georgia, Pests, Vegetables

By Rick Lavender for CAES News Warming temperatures will have tegus on the move in southeast Georgia. Residents and farmers are asked to report sightings of tegus, alive or dead. This is needed to keep the big, South American lizards from gaining a foothold in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These reptiles, the largest …