red and green fresh tomatoes

Low Supply, High Prices for Tomatoes

Jim Rogers Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are high right now for producers. They should be able to take advantage for a couple of more weeks, if they have a crop. “If” is the operative word, because supply is low. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, attributes the low supply to the Christmas freeze event. Growers experienced significant …

Christmas Freeze Not Too Impactful on Georgia Blueberries

Jim Rogers Blueberries

By Clint Thompson Though rattled by sub-freezing temperatures during the Christmas holidays, Georgia’s blueberry crop was not severely impacted by prolonged temperatures in the 20s. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, says freeze events that occur later in the season are much more impactful. “For the vast majority, this freeze was not as big …

Cabbage Prices High Amid Reduced Supply Following Freeze Event

Jim Rogers Cabbage

By Clint Thompson Cabbage prices are extremely high for Southeast producers. That is good news for growers who actually have a crop. Unfortunately, that’s not the case for most farmers. The Christmas freeze event impacted a lot of the crop, especially in Georgia. Hank Scott with Long and Scott Farms, discussed the impact that multiple days of sub-freezing temperatures had …

Christmas Freeze ‘Not Much of an Impact’ on Florida Blueberries

Jim Rogers Blueberries

By Clint Thompson Timing can make the difference in the success of a specialty crop. In the case of Florida blueberries, it likely has helped the crop survive one of the coldest freeze events in recent memory. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, explains how the lack of blooms in Florida’s …