In this month’s sneak peek, the March issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine highlights the recent deep freeze event in January and February that devastated various fruits and vegetables in Florida.
Freezing temperatures caused significant damage to specialty crops across the state. Those crops included citrus, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, green beans and watermelons. Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced preliminary damage estimates totaling more than $3 billion.
Fusarium wilt is an annual problem for watermelon farmers in North Florida and South Georgia. One way to combat the disease is through grafted plants; a production practice where growers put a root system in the ground that doesn’t get the disease or is highly tolerant. Industry experts discussed the production practice and what growers should keep in mind when implementing it.
Also, various topics were discussed at the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference held in early January in Savannah, Georgia. Pest management and food safety were discussed at the annual event, attended by growers from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and the Carolinas.
Video Component
Don’t miss this month’s bonus video coverage in the interactive digital edition of Specialty Crop Grower magazine.
VIDEO: Blueberry producer Michael Hill discusses freeze damage in Central Florida. (page 11)
VIDEO: SE Regional Conference attendees discuss current issues. (page 19)
VIDEO: Learn more about CUPS pest management. (page 26)