The cover story of the May issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine focuses on a tiny but destructive pest of blueberries and strawberries in Florida. Chilli thrips have long been problematic for Florida growers and are fast becoming a concern for producers in neighboring states, like Georgia. Chemical applications are the main way farmers control the pest, and they are most impactful if thrips are identified prior to foliar damage.
Efforts to reform the necessary but controversial H-2A program are underway. U.S. senators have issued letters to congressional members, urging legislative action to freeze the adverse effect wage rate. The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture released its Agricultural Labor Working Group’s final report in March. It addresses the problems that growers are encountering. The bipartisan group offered 25 proposals to improve the H-2A program.
Also included is a focus on heat and the importance of growers having a heat plan in place. Without an official heat standard from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), specialty crop producers should consider OSHA recommendations for a heat plan as requirements, says Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. He discussed what growers can do to manage heat safety.
Whitefly-transmitted viruses remain a major concern for cucurbit farmers in the Southeast. One U.S. Department of Agriculture researcher has offered the idea of developing a neighborhood pest management strategy for controlling whiteflies and whitefly-transmitted viruses. William Turechek talked about the proposal.
The Florida Citrus Show, held on April 3 in Fort Pierce, Florida. Between tailgating and timely seminars, the show was another sweet success for AgNet Media.