damage

TAP Assistance for Florida Growers Impacted by Recent Freeze Event

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson and Dale Sandlin Florida specialty crop growers suffered immensely with the Jan. 31/Feb. 1 freeze event. Time is ticking for those producers to take advantage of disaster programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, highlighted one specific program that will benefit Florida …

Vidalia Onion Crop Recovering from Recent Freeze Event

Web AdminGeorgia, Onion, Weather

By Clint Thompson Warmer temperatures for Southeast Georgia are just what the doctor ordered for Vidalia onion plants still recovering from the recent freeze event. Cliff Riner, crop production manager for G&R Farms in Glennville, Georgia, said the crop’s progress was delayed by the sub-freezing temperatures on March 13. “One or two bad days of cold weather like that takes …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Freeze Devastates Florida Crops

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson The freeze that struck Florida in late January and early February brought the coldest air to the state in more than a decade. Freezing temperatures caused significant damage to specialty crops across the state. In many areas, the frigid temperatures held for hours, exacerbated by high winds that thwarted freeze-protection efforts many growers tried …

Florida blueberry

Updating Freeze Protection Metrics for Florida Blueberry

Dan CooperBlueberries, Florida, Fruit, Weather

The Florida Blueberry Growers Association hosted its annual spring meeting and field day at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, in early March. The day featured presentations from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and a tour of blueberry trials at the facility. A variety of production topics were covered during …

florida tomato

Florida Tomato Leader Discusses Crop Following Devastating Freeze Event

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato industry was one of many crops impacted by the recent freeze events. Preliminary estimates of losses to the tomato industry reported by Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson were $164.2 million. But it should not take long before the crop rebounds this year, according to Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “I came …

dieback

Dieback a Concern in Citrus Trees Following Freeze

Dan CooperFreeze, Georgia

The Georgia citrus industry now has a better grasp on the extent of damage to the state’s crop following the recent freeze events in February and January. Dieback is present in both younger and older trees, says Mary Sutton, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and citrus Extension specialist. “For most of the older, established trees that have gotten some …

Alabama Peach Producers Hope to Avoid Late Season Freeze Event

Clint ThompsonAlabama

By Clint Thompson Alabama peach growers have enough chill hours to make a crop this year. Now comes the hard part; avoiding a late-season freeze event that could devastate a crop. Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University, discussed that unfortunate scenario with AgNet Media during the recent Alabama Fruit and …

ambrosia

After Freeze, Ambrosia Beetles Are Potential Threat

Dan CooperFreeze, Pests

Florida citrus growers should be on the lookout for an uncommon citrus pest following the recent freeze events that devastated crops throughout the state. During a recent postfreeze webinar hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Team, Lauren Diepenbrock, associate professor and entomologist, warned growers about the ambrosia beetle. This pest can prey on …

Vidalia Onion Diseases a Concern Following Recent Cold Weather

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers must guard against potential disease buildup following the recent barrage of cold weather. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia, highlighted disease management in the UGA Vidalia Onion Blog. “We’re always worried about disease this time of year, but the …

irrigation

Postfreeze Irrigation and Fertilization for Citrus Trees

Dan CooperFreeze, Irrigation, Nutrition

Irrigation and fertilizer applications are important management tools for Florida citrus growers following the recent freeze event in late January/early February. Davie Kadyampakeni, associate professor in soil, water and ecosystem sciences at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), discussed both facets of tree maintenance during a postfreeze webinar hosted by the UF/IFAS Citrus Team. Key …