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  • Heritage Orchard Reclaiming Georgia’s Forgotten Apples

    UGA Extension agents (left to right) Ashley Hoppers, Josh Fuder and Clark MacAllister plant one of the Heritage Orchard’s trees. They located many of the orchard’s varieties through their contacts with local apple growers and other farmers and tree owners. (Photo by Mike Terrazas)

    By Michael Terrazas for CAES News

    The names tick off like racehorses or colors from some fancy catalog: Carolina Red June, Duchess of Oldenburg, Hewe’s Crab and Rabun Bald, Limbertwig and Nickajack and Parks’ Pippin and many more. They’re apples, hundreds of varieties that thrived in orchards across North Georgia a century ago, before an evolving apple industry swept them off shelves and tables, never to return.

    Until now. With the help of a dedicated group of University of Georgia researchers, UGA Cooperative Extension agents and volunteer enthusiasts, Georgia’s lost apple varieties are making a comeback. The newly planted Heritage Apple Orchard, located at UGA’s Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville, is meant to reclaim many of those bygone cultivars and demonstrate why Georgia once was at the center of the U.S. apple industry.

    The Heritage Orchard will soon provide another educational agritourism attraction for the Mountain Research and Education Center, a unit of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. But it will also yield satisfying produce for Georgia consumers and researchers.

    “One very basic benefit is simply to reconnect Georgians with the history, and the agricultural history, of their state,” said Stephen Mihm, associate professor of history in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “But there’s another, very important virtue to this work, which is that the apple cultivars that thrive in Georgia are not typical in their tolerance for heat and humidity. There’s growing interest in tapping into those traits genetically, and that’s not only restricted to apples.”

    Click here for the full story.

  • Statistically Speaking: Data Supports Mexican Imports’ Impact on Florida

    Fruit produced in Mexico.

    Florida producers have been protesting Mexican imports and the devastating impact they’re having on market prices for years. But just how bad have imports from Mexico been in several key commodities?

    University of Florida Associate Professor Zhengfei Guan describes in a webinar how much imports have risen in the last two decades.

    Strawberries

    “In 2000, strawberry imports from Mexico were one-third of the total production in Florida, while in 2019, Mexican imports were two times higher than the Florida production,” Guan said.

    Florida strawberries totaled approximately 220 million pounds in 2000 compared to Mexico’s 70 million. Almost 20 years later, Florida production was about 200 million pounds compared to Mexico’s 405 million.

    Blueberries

    Mexican imports of blueberries were non-existent before 2009. But in 2019 they totaled a little more than 90 million pounds, compared to Florida’s approximate 24 million.

    “The blueberry case is even more surprising. This shows how fast Mexico can catch up once it gets into the game. Imports in 2019 were roughly four times higher than Florida production, growing more than a 100-fold over 10 years,” Guan said.

    Vegetables

    The disparity in production is not isolated to fruits. Florida produced 1.6 billion pounds of tomatoes in 2000, 20% higher than Mexico. But now imports from Mexico are five times higher than Florida production.

    Mexico imported approximately 3.6 billion pounds in 2019 compared to Florida’s approximate 750 million.

    “Florida production has dropped 50% over the last 20 years,” Guan said.

    It’s a similar concern for bell pepper farmers. Florida production in 2000 doubled what was imported from Mexico. But in 2019, Mexican imports totaled more than a billion pounds, compared to Florida which totaled a little more than 300 million.

    “The consequences for Florida is not just shrinking market share but depressed market prices. Over the last 15 years, blueberry prices have dropped from $6.30 per pound to $2.60. The prices for other crops were basically flat,” Guan said.

  • Final Rule: Changes to Hemp Production Go Into Effect March 22

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture Hemp Production Program’s Final Rule will go into effect March 22.

    Some of the key provisions include raising the negligence threshold from 0.5% to 1% and limits the maximum number of negligent violations that a producer can receive in a growing season to one. Also, the normal 15-day window to collect samples before harvest has been extended to 30 days.

    States who wish to manage hemp programs must have a plan approved under the new final rule. They have until Dec. 31, 2021 to transition to the new provisions under the Final Rule.

    The final rule provides regulations for hemp production in this country and includes modifications based on public comments and lessons learned during last year’s growing season. More information about the provisions of the final rule is available on AMS’s Hemp Production webpage.

  • Florida Producer: It’s the Greening of Strawberries

    Citrus Greening has devastated Florida’s citrus industry. The state’s strawberry producers are concerned about their future with Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease.

    Photo by Natalia Peres/UF: Shows the effect of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot on strawberries.

    It may still be in its infancy, but Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is taking its toll on the Florida strawberry industry. One Florida producer is concerned about its impact moving forward.

    “I would call it the ‘Greening of strawberries,’” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “There’s no cure for it, as we know. This is the third season that we know what it is, and we still have more questions than answers.”

    Decreased Volume

    Parke said volume has been way off this year, maybe two-thirds of what last year’s crop produced. It varies from farmer to farmer. While the weather played a role in decreased production, so has Neopestalotiopsis.

    “The whole industry was impacted by it, I think,” Parke said. “Just on one pick, I probably threw 400 flats to the acre on the ground. They were just totally ate up with it.

    “I would say for the next three years, it’s going to take a hit on our industry.”

    Disease Background

    The disease has quickly spiraled out of control in three years. It was first discovered during the 2018-19 season in five farms and was attributed to one nursery source in North Carolina. More than 20 farms experienced the disease during the 2019-20 season, and the disease was attributed to two nursery sources early in the season in North Carolina and Canada.

    It was discovered this year in fields that had it the prior season.

    Neopestalotiopsis causes leaf spots on strawberry plants. It develops quickly and produces spores on the leaves. It can cause severe leaf spotting and fruit rot under favorable weather conditions.

    Unfortunately, it can be hard to detect because of other similar leaf spot diseases that growers must contend with like leaf scorch, leaf blotch and Cercospora leaf spot.

  • Watermelon Board Announces First Female Board President

    Jordan Carter

    Winter Springs, FL – March 10, 2021 – The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) held its bi-annual board meeting virtually on Saturday, March 6. Board member Jordan Carter was elected President by her peers, becoming the first woman to serve in this position. Prior to this nomination, Carter (District 3, Cordele, GA) served as Secretary/Treasurer as well as interim President since January 2021. 

    “I am overjoyed and beyond honored to serve as president and want to make my time in service meaningful,” said Jordan Carter, NWPB Board President. “I am so grateful to be a part of an amazing board of directors who work hard every day to promote watermelon and all of its goodness. I am looking forward to supporting initiatives that inspire each other and to developing relationships for continued growth. Together, we can bring fresh insights and energy to carry out our shared goals of increasing demand for watermelon.”

    In addition to Carter’s nomination, Christian Murillo (District, 6 Nogales, AZ) was elected Vice President and Kelly Partch (District 5, Brawley, CA) elected Secretary/Treasurer. For more information or a full list of the Board of Directors and Committee Assignments, visit the industry section of watermelon.org or contact Summer Walker, Marketing & Communications Manager at swalker@watermelon.org.  

  • Pecan Pest: Ambrosia Beetles Are Active

    A main insect pest of pecan trees is active right now.

    University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist Lenny Wells cautions producers that Asian Ambrosia beetles are active in young pecan trees. Beetle activity has been reported from Cook County, Fort Valley and different sites in Eastern Georgia, according to the UGA Pecan Extension Blog. Activity will only increase as temperatures warm up this week.

    UGA Extension photo shows damage done by ambrosia beetles in a pecan tree.

    “Due to excessive rain in February, many fields are very wet, and planting was delayed,” Wells said in the blog. “These late-planted trees, especially in wet areas, are the most likely to be affected. They will still be under considerable transplant shock and will be the most attractive to beetles.”

    Producers can identify beetle activity by the toothpick-sized sawdust tubes the beetles leave sticking out of holes bored in pecan trees. The less likely a tree is to survive an attack, the more often that tree is attacked by the beetles.

    Wells advises growers, who have experienced past issues with the beetles or who have new trees planted in the past two or three weeks, to apply a pyrethroid like Bifenthrin.

  • Tale of Two Blueberry Seasons

    Florida Grower: It’s not going to be like it was last year

    File photo shows highbush blueberries.

    It’s a tale of two seasons for Florida blueberry growers. Producers were early with last year’s crop but encountered COVID-19 that kept prices low.

    This year’s cooler weather has slowed the growth of the blueberry crop, which means it’ll likely be ready for its normal timeframe. Hopefully, that’ll mean better prices for growers like Ryan Atwood.

    “The weather was colder for January and for a good bit of February. Weather’s been warming up of late. We’re probably catching up here a little bit lately. It’s not going to be like it was last year,” said Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and farms 56 acres of blueberries, manages another 350 acres and is part-owner of the largest packing house in the Southeast United States. “That was horrible the way that all played out last year. It was almost like the rug getting yanked out underneath your feet. But you live to fight another day.”

    Warmer Temperatures in 2020

    A milder winter last year accelerated growth in last year’s blueberries. Atwood started picking high volumes of blueberries around March 18. But it also coincided with the pandemic shutting down the country. Market prices reflected the pandemic’s impact.

    Early harvests have already begun for this year’s crop.

    “We started scrapping, lightly picking on Evergreen stuff,” Atwood said. “We’re a ways off from the main part of our crop. We grow a small acreage of evergreen production. But most of our production is deciduous production, and that won’t crank up til later. “We picked 400, 500 pounds two weeks ago. Then we picked 1,800 pounds last week. Now, we’re picking 3,000 pounds this week.”

  • Record Levels: Asian Bean Thrips Major Problem for Some South Florida Producers

    South Florida farms had record levels of Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations last week. Others experienced a reduction in thrips counts, however.

    According to the University of Florida/IFAS, farms in southeastern Hendry County reported infestations as low as 0.2 ABT per bud and between 0.1 and 0.2 ABT per bloom (at full bloom) but were as high as 1.9 ABT per bud and 6.2 ABT per bloom (at full bloom). This is the highest reported population levels at this stage in Hendry County and may lead to yield loss.

    ABT populations at this location in the previous cycle of Dec. 18 were just 0.1 ABT per bloom at full bloom.

    In central Hendry County, populations increased, but there was a wide range of 0.2 to 0.8 ABT per bloom at full bloom, while in northern Collier County, ABT was reported at 0.2 ABT per bloom in plantings at full bloom, with most plantings already harvested.

    In eastern Palm Beach County, reports indicate background populations have steadied between 0.1 and 0.3 ABT per bloom amid aggressive insecticide programs.

    Click here for management recommendations.

  • Farming’s Future: Ag Labor Reform Needed Now More Than Ever

    usmca

    The future of the American farmer is bleak.

    Farmers themselves are hinting that the end is near for their career in the field, amid increasing costs, decreasing prices and steady imports from Mexico.

    One significant help would come in reform to the current H-2A guestworker program, according to Allison Crittenden, Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation. American farmers need it now more than ever.

    “Without addressing Ag Labor reform and without making changes to the H-2A program to enable farmers to have access to a workforce and still be able to make the business structure work and enable them to become competitive; if we don’t fix these problems, then American agriculture is in danger,” Crittenden said. “If we don’t have a workforce, how can we produce crops in this country?”

    Rising Wage Prices

    Reform is mainly needed because prices have risen significantly over the past five years. Crittenden said the national average for the Adverse Effect Wage Rate has increased by 20% in the last five years. Following the latest wage increase, Florida’s hourly rate is $12.08, while Georgia and Alabama are $11.81. That’s not counting additional costs for housing and transportation.

    “This is all occurring against the backdrop that prices are rather stagnant in terms of labor-intensive crops. There’s a lot of downward pressure from imports from other countries where those employees in those countries get paid in a day where American H-2A workers get paid in an hour here,” Crittenden said. “We have to find a way to enable farmers to remain competitive while providing them access to that labor force that we so desperately need.”

    Potential Solution?

    Two members of the House of Representatives introduced a potential solution last week with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. It would reform H-2A wages to better reflect real-world wages while protecting against sudden wage increases.

    “We need an immediate solution, but we have to be careful about what we consider to be a solution. We haven’t addressed Ag Labor reform in a substantive way in over 30 years. It’s critically important that we get it right this time around when we do,” Crittenden said.

  • Grape Diseases: Mildews a Concern for Producers

    No matter what environmental conditions grape producers face this season, they are likely to encounter either downy mildew or powdery mildew.

    Early powdery mildew on a grape leaf in this UGA photo. Note the white fuzzy patches on the upper side of the leaf (photo courtesy of Brooke Warres; UGA Plant Pathology).

    “Powdery mildew actually does better in a drier environment. That’s why it’s a major problem in places like California. But when we have dry conditions, it can be worse for us. Even in wet conditions, we have it,” said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen.

    “Downy mildew is one that we deal with year in, year out. They don’t even have it in California because it’s too dry out there. With our wet environment, it’s the one we have the most of on a year-in, year-out basis and gives us the most trouble trying to control.”

    Comparing the Two

    While the two diseases sound similar, they are much different.

    Downy mildew is not a fungus, but powdery mildew is caused by a fungal organism.

    Downy mildew attacks all the green parts of the vine, but the leaves are especially susceptible. The disease can cause up to 100% crop loss if unmanaged. Oil spots will develop on the top of the leaves, which can lead to desiccation and defoliation.

    Powdery mildew causes issues on the leaves and fruit. It opens channels into the fruit which allows other organisms to rot the fruit. Signs of white powdery growth will show up on the surface of the fruit and leaves. Any amount of the disease will cause an off-flavor in wine production.

    Potential Resistance

    What is especially concerning for grape growers is the pathogens that cause both diseases are developing resistance to several fungicides in use. According to Brannen, downy mildew Qol resistance is widespread in Georgia vineyards. Resistance development has also been reported in powdery mildew in Qols, DMIS and SDHIs in various parts of the world.

    “The pathogens that cause those diseases are developing resistance to quite a bit of the fungicides we utilize for controlling them. They’re becoming more and more of a challenge to manage from the standpoint of developing a spray program,” Brannen said.