 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson Cover crops remain an integral part of nematode management in Florida. But they should be part of specialty crop growers’ management strategies every year, according to Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center. Desaeger provided an update about …
By Clint Thompson A lack of farm bill progression in the Senate Agriculture Committee has not derailed the optimism industry leaders feel that one will eventually get passed this year. That’s the mindset shared by Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA). “You’ve got to be optimistic that folks …
By Clint Thompson Effective nematicides were a focal point of a presentation on nematodes at the recent Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo event in Fort Myers, Florida. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, updated growers and industry leaders about what chemical …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced an extension on Thursday for Florida’s agricultural producers to apply for more than $600 million in disaster assistance for impacts from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons. Florida producers now have until January 1, 2027, to apply for the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Eligible agricultural producers can apply for …
By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew is one of the most problematic diseases that Florida cucurbit farmers must overcome every season. However, fungicides are available that help mitigate the disease’s impact. Amanda McVay, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) graduate student, discussed those fungicide options at the Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo on Aug. 13 in …
By Frank Giles When you tackle a big topic like the Specialty Crop Grower Magazine’s August cover story on inflation in agriculture, it is impossible to fit all the information related to the issue in the limited space of a magazine. Sharply rising inputs and production expenses have been a challenge for growers dating back to COVID. They have had …
By Frank Giles Whiteflies, aphids and other pests continue to be significant problems in Southeastern vegetable production. Recently, the Emerging Viruses in Cucurbits Working Group hosted a series of webinars addressing several important viruses pests may carry. The group’s mission is to improve communication and knowledge about viruses across the cucurbit industry and develop strategies to successfully identify and mitigate …
By Clint Thompson The frustrating aspect of the Senate Ag Committee’s failure to advance the farm bill was it mostly had nothing to do with agriculture. The political discourse over Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was reportedly the main point of contingent that kept both republicans and democrats from agreeing to this key piece of legislation. What’s important now for …
By Clint Thompson H-2A reform has long been in need of a major haul; 40 years, in fact. That’s how long it’s been since the agricultural labor program has experienced change. Now is as good of a time as any for it to happen, says Bob Redding, who works for the Redding Firm and serves as a lobbyist for agricultural …
The Aug. 13 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor provided updated drought conditions across Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Florida Florida’s dry conditions range anywhere from extreme drought to abnormal drought. Extreme drought in North Florida includes all or parts of Gilchrist, Suwanee, Columbia, Union, Bradford, Clay, Putnam and Alachua counties. Extreme drought down the west coast includes all or parts …
