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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson A potential outbreak of the Cyclospora parasite impacting lettuce should serve as a reminder to Southeast farmers about the importance of food safety protocols and keeping good records of food safety activities. Keith Schneider, a professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) food science and human nutrition department, talked about food safety …
By Clint Thompson Ralstonia research is one of the topics highlighted at this summer’s blueberry meetings hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. While it is not as problematic as other blueberry diseases as Florida growers contend with every year, it has the potential to wreak havoc on one of the state’s major fruit crop, …
The Last Word By Wilton Simpson If you’ve spent any time in agriculture, you’ve learned a simple truth: We’re not really farming for ourselves. Every seed planted, every fence repaired, every grove, pasture and field we care for is an investment in what comes next. Agriculture has always been about leaving something better behind for the next generation than what …
The July 16 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows lingering drought conditions in the southern and northern areas of Georgia, sufficient moisture throughout most of Alabama and extreme conditions in North Florida and down the state’s west coast. Alabama The driest areas in Alabama are located in the northern parts of the state. Moderate drought is observed in Northwest …
By Clint Thompson The time is now for legislative leaders to strike a deal on the next farm bill. The House has already released its version. The Senate recently released its draft. The window is open for this important piece of legislation to get passed, says Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted a bamboo field day in July at Phillip Rucks Citrus Nursery in Frostproof. Scientists at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) have initiated several projects to evaluate bamboo varieties and production practices. Phillip Rucks has planted numerous bamboo varieties for evaluation and sells bamboo plants to …
Bacterial spot disease isn’t just a nuisance for tomato growers – it’s a relentless, weather-powered villain that can ruin a field of promising fruit. When warm rains roll in and humidity hangs in the air, the pathogen behind bacterial spot comes alive, spreading fast and scarring tomatoes so they can’t be sold. Growers rely on fungicides to fight the disease, …
By Clint Thompson The July 9 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows minor change to the drought conditions being observed across the Southeast. Florida The driest area in Florida remains in the northern area of the state. Extreme drought is still being experienced in the area, starting as far west as Franklin and Wakulla counties, stretching eastward to Duval, …
Early bird registration for Florida’s 52nd annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum ends Wednesday, July 15. This year’s forum, presented by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, is scheduled for Aug. 12-14 in Orlando, Florida. The labor forum is designed to educate agricultural employers, producers, shippers, contractors and other employers on compliance with labor laws and relations practices. Highlights of this year’s …
By Frank Giles Many people involved in specialty crop production in the Southeast know the name Gene McAvoy. He was inducted into the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2024 for his 25-year career serving University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension and for many other roles in agriculture. He operates an active ag consulting service today. …
