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By Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez Climate change is increasingly impacting agriculture and our lives in general. Agricultural crop production, including organic vegetable production, faces growing challenges associated with heat and drought. Temperature plays an essential role in plant development and function by determining the rate of biological activities. Each crop has a specific optimal temperature range. Cool-season crops (e.g., lettuce, broccoli, …
By Clint Thompson Pecan harvests are nearing an end in Georgia. This year’s harvest season is concluding quicker than normal, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist. He estimated that 90% of the crop has been harvested. “Probably those that are not finished are about to wrap up their second harvest, or either they waited until they …
By Clint Thompson Why have an adverse effect wage rate (AEWR) if there is no adverse effect on domestic workers? That’s a question that Michael Marsh, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), wants answered from Acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su. “We’re trying to get her to just simply follow the law …
The Florida Bamboo Growers Association (FBGA) recently held its second annual meeting at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. The meeting was well attended and provided educational content for its burgeoning membership. The association is growing quickly, expanding its membership by 63% from the first year. FBGA …
By Clint Thompson Automation could be the key to a specialty crop producer remaining sustainable. The more tasks that artificial intelligence (AI) can perform on the farm, the fewer responsibilities that would be needed via the H-2A program. But the reality of an automated harvester being made available on a commercial scale for all growers may present more of a …
Drought conditions are lessening across the Southeast, due to recent rain events. In the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor, extreme drought has been reduced across areas of North Alabama and North Georgia. Most of South Georgia is drought free, while only a couple of counties in the Florida Panhandle are abnormally dry. Alabama remains the driest among the three states. …
By Clint Thompson Research is at the heart of crop sustainability in Florida’s watermelon industry. If producers are to continue thrive with production, they require research assistance with focuses on pest and disease management. The Florida Watermelon Association (FWA) highlighted some of those key points during the Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute meeting on Nov. 30 in Fanning Springs, Florida. Laura …
(Arlington, VA) – Adverse effect wage rates (AEWR) continue to skyrocket in the H-2A program. The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is attempting to persuade regulators to modify the current formula that determines AEWR. The NCAE petitioned Acting Department of Labor Secretary Julie Su this week to amend the regulatory methodology for determining adverse effect wage rates in the …
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s prolonged drought in the late summer and fall impacted the size of this year’s pecan crop, according to Bryan Wilkins, Auburn University research associate. But the lack of rainfall actually helped the quality of this year’s crop in Mobile and Baldwin counties. “It’s cut the size of the nuts, but from what I’ve been seeing, it …
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced loan interest rates for December 2023, which became effective Dec. 1, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help farmers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs. “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with …
