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” …
UF/IFAS Experts Help Farmers Use Web-Based Tools to Predict Strawberry, Tomato Yields Faster
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
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
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
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
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
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 …
‘A Land Remembered’ TV Series Producer To Speak at Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo
For many Florida farmers and ranchers, “A Land Remembered” is a treasured piece of historical fiction. The novel chronicles the lives of three generations of the MacIvey family in Florida from the 1850s to the 1960s. There has been a lot of buzz about a new TV series that is being made based on the book. Todd Wiseman Jr., who …
Harvest Season Winding Down for North Florida Watermelon Producers
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelons continue to be harvested across the Suwanee Valley Region. It won’t be long before growers can call it a season, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Various factors will impact how much longer producers will harvest this year’s crop. “I think the market will drive a lot …
Secretary Rollins, Congresswoman Cammack Discuss Disaster Assistance During Hearing
By Clint Thompson U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ testimony at the June 4 hearing with the House Committee on Agriculture included a brief discussion with Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) about disaster assistance. Cammack and Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) introduced the bipartisan Freeze Disaster Assistance Act in early June that would provide $3.5 billion in disaster assistance to aid …



















