North Carolina Blueberry Growers Gather for Annual Open House

Jim Rogers Fruit, Specialty Crops

By Frank Giles The North Carolina Blueberry Council presented its 57th annual open house and trade show on Jan. 10–11 in Fayetteville. The event drew area growers to learn about the latest research from North Carolina State University (NC State) and to check out the latest products and services available on the trade show floor. Bill Cline, NC State entomologist …

seasonal

Nutrition Standards Change Increased Fruits, Vegetables in School Meals

Clint Thompson Fruit

From National Association of Farm Broadcasters A change in the school meal nutrition standards in 2012 was a win for the specialty crop industry. It spurred changed in the type of foods that schools purchased, which increased fruits and vegetables. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released data on Monday that shows following the change in standards, schools …

Giving Blueberries a Boost to Continue Consumption Growth

Jim Rogers Fruit, Specialty Crops

By Frank Giles The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual short course in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida, in October. The meeting featured educational sessions ranging from optimizing pollination and marketing to chilli thrips control and new varieties. Growers were in good spirits at the meeting, despite impacts from Hurricane Ian. While some growers further south in the state took a hard …

N.C. State to Host Apple Field Day

Clint Thompson Apple

North Carolina (N.C.) State University’s annual Apple Field Day will occur on Thursday, July 28, starting at 4 p.m. at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, North Carolina. Producers and industry experts are welcome to attend the free event. The N.C. State Apple Team will provide information on various topics related to apple production. Such …

UGA Fruit Pathologist Inducted Into IPM Hall of Fame

Jim Rogers Fruit, Pests, Research

By Emily Cabrera The Southern Integrated Pest Management Center (Southern IPM Center) has inducted University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit pathologist Phil Brannen into the Integrated Pest Management Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to commercial fruit growers throughout the southern U.S. over the past 30 years. Each year, the Southern IPM Center recognizes an industry member for extraordinary …

Alternative to Lack of Oryzalin Herbicide for Fruit Producers

Jim Rogers Agri-business, Fruit

By Clint Thompson Specialty crop producers need to be wary this spring of supply issues with regards to Oryzalin, a popular herbicide. None is being manufactured, according to Wayne Mitchem, N.C. State Extension associate and Southern Region Small Fruit Consortium coordinator. He discusses the impact that a lack of the product will mean for some fruit farmers. “The thing about …

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 …

Georgia Apple Growers Vote to Continue Apple Commission Assessments

Jim Rogers Fruit, Georgia

Earlier this year, Georgia apple producers voted to continue the Georgia Apple Commission Marketing Order for an additional three years.  The new marketing order will allow the assessment rate to be changed from the current two cents per marketed bushel to a range of two to four cents per marketed bushel. The final rate will be established by the five …