Florida Blueberry Meetings Scheduled for July

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Florida blueberry growers are reminded about this summer’s growers meetings hosted by the Florida Blueberry Growers Association. This year’s two meeting are scheduled for Wednesday, July 15 in Bartow, Florida, and Wednesday, July 22 in Newberry, Florida. The meetings are free for growers and only $50 for allied partners for both meetings. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. with the …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Growers Giving Cover Crops a Go

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Frank Giles and Clint Thompson Farmers have planted cover crops for many years because of the agronomic benefits they provide. Due to how cropping systems are set up, adoption in specialty crops has been somewhat slower. However, cover crops are gaining interest as more growers adopt the practice. The latest National Cover Crop Survey from the Conservation Technology Information …

Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Welcomes Senate Farm Bill Discussion Draft

Clint ThompsonFlorida

WASHINGTON — The legislative text for Farm Bill 2.0 by U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman drew praise from agricultural organizations across the United States. That includes the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA). Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the SCFBA, discussed the Senate version which followed the House passage …

FFVA Urges Support for Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) is urging support for the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act, an important piece of legislation aimed at reforming the H-2A program. The FFVA sent a letter last week to the Florida congressional delegation urging support and co-sponsorship of the bill, expected to be introduced later this month by Congressman Glenn “GT” …

Web-Based Tools to Predict Strawberry, Tomato Yields Faster

Clint ThompsonFlorida

To make a successful return on their investment, growers need to accurately predict how much crop they might produce in a given season. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are developing web-based tools that incorporate artificial intelligence to help producers with yield predictions. Such forecasts are critical. In Florida, the production value for strawberries was …

June Rains Help Alleviate Some Dry Conditions Across Southeast Region

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Increased rains this summer have helped alleviate much of the drought being experienced across the Southeast. According to the June 18 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, exceptional drought has all but disappeared in North Florida, while there is minimal extreme drought conditions in various parts of Georgia, and much of Alabama is reporting zero drought conditions. …

‘Don’t Let Your Guard Down’ Amid Low Hurricane Forecasts

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Two major hurricane forecast organizations are predicting a below-normal hurricane season for the Atlantic basin this year. But Southeast farmers should not let their guard down, says James Spann, chief meteorologist at the Alabama Weather Network. “My question is what does the guy in New Orleans do with that (information) or Mobile or Houston or Galveston or …

Florida Hops Research Offers Bright Spot as Craft Beer Market Slows

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Despite a recent softening in demand for craft beer, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) experts say there’s reason for optimism – especially as researchers supply Florida-grown hops to the state’s brewers. At the June 2 Hops Field Day at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC), attendees got a front-row look at how UF/IFAS researchers are working to strengthen the state’s craft-beer ecosystem …

Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Fixing the Fertilizer Crisis

Clint ThompsonFertilizer, Florida

By Mary Hartney In testimony delivered to the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee during the “Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a Stable and Affordable Supply for American Producers” hearing, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) offered some recommendations. TFI President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Rosenbusch prefaced his remarks by explaining how the fertilizer industry is caught up in the current geopolitical …

Senate Farm Bill Version Expected Soon

Clint ThompsonFarm Bill, Florida

By Clint Thompson The next farm bill is closer than ever to becoming reality. The House version has already been voted on and approved. Now it is the Senate’s turn, and according to Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the committee plans to release text of its version within the next week or two, according to …