By Clint Thompson Pyrethroid resistance in corn earworm is a major concern for sweet corn producers across the Southeast. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, said other insecticides are more costly and have to be applied more regularly in sweet corn. It could lead to a decrease in acres across the Southeast. “It doesn’t take a …
Aww Shucks: Tough Price Year for Florida Sweet Corn Producers
By Clint Thompson Sweet corn production has shifted into Georgia. Following the peak season for Florida growers around Memorial Day, the harvest window has shifted northward for producers. Florida grower Eric Hopkins liked everything about this year’s crop, except the price. “We certainly could have gotten more money for the crop and probably sold the same amount of units. It’s …
Important Week for Sweet Corn Producers
By Clint Thompson The week prior to Memorial Day weekend is usually prime time for Florida’s sweet corn producers. This year is not any different, according to Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA). “In terms of supply, we’ve got excellent supply in Florida for the holiday. I think you …
Sweet Corn Marketing Focuses on Cinco de Mayo
By Clint Thompson Florida sweet corn industry leaders are modifying their marketing efforts to better highlight this year’s crop. “Demand is what it is this time of year. We’ve talked about this before where up north, if it’s cooler up north, demand doesn’t jump up because people aren’t outside as much,” said Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply …
Rain Impact: Sweet Corn Production Increasing Following Slow Start
By Clint Thompson Florida sweet corn volume should ramp up during the first couple of weeks of April. The increased production will be much needed for growers who experienced a sluggish start to the season, mostly due to excessive rainfall. “We had a little bit of a slower start this year. There were some rain skips in the fall and …
South Florida’s Top Weeds in Sweet Corn
By Calvin Odero Weed management is essential in sweet corn production to maximize yield and quality. Effective weed management practices minimize competition for nutrients, water and sunlight and help prevent diseases and pests that often thrive in weed-infested fields. Sweet corn weed management programs in South Florida are mainly comprised of chemical weed control, which includes pre-emergent herbicides applied after …
Corn Earworm a ‘Ridiculous’ Pest in South Georgia Sweet Corn
By Frank Giles Georgia is the third-largest fresh market producer of sweet corn in the United States with about 27,000 acres per season. Sweet corn is also the second-most valuable vegetable crop produced in the state. Consumers love sweet corn, but so do corn earworms (CEW), which have become increasingly problematic. With virtually zero tolerance for CEW in fresh sweet …
Sweet Corn Prices Increasing for Florida Growers
By Clint Thompson Florida sweet corn producers experiencing high volume right now are reaping the rewards of a depressed supply. Prices are extremely high right now, though, Florida’s spring crop should be ramping up production soon, says Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. She highlighted why farmers are able to ask …
Sweet Corn Prices High for Florida Growers with a Crop
By Clint Thompson Florida sweet corn producers experiencing high volume right now are reaping the rewards of a depressed supply. Prices are extremely high right now, though, Florida’s spring crop should be ramping up production soon, says Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. She highlighted why farmers are able to ask …
January Freeze Nips Some Sweet Corn
By Clint Thompson A mid-January freeze event impacted sweet corn production in South Florida. The significance of the impact during the weekend of Jan. 13-15 depends on what production stage the corn was in. Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, elaborated on how some producers were affected by the freeze burn …