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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Frank Giles Plastic mulch provides growers numerous benefits in establishing beds to grow crops. Some of those benefits include improved pest and weed management, water conservation and better yield and crop quality. But what do you do with the mulch after growing the crop? It creates an expense for growers to deploy labor to remove the plastic from the …
By Clint Thompson Frost and wind damage have been common occurrences across North Florida watermelon fields early in the growing season. Producers may be inclined to protect their crop in the Suwanee Valley from disease buildup by making copper applications. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, cautions growers against such a strategy this early in …
By Clint Thompson The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) comprises the majority of the farm bill’s funding. It also serves as the important link in getting a new farm bill passed. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, provided attendees at last week’s Florida Citrus Show an update on the farm bill. Much of his discussion centered …
The latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows conditions improving in some areas across the Southeast, though dry conditions still linger across states like Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Alabama Alabama has drought-like conditions throughout the state, though most are showing abnormally dry conditions. Moderate drought is observed in a few counties in the southwest part of the state, including …
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producer Ryan Atwood is a couple of weeks away from harvesting substantial volume. But he’s already feeling optimistic about this year’s crop. “I think at the beginning of the season, you always feel optimistic. But I feel good about the timing,” said Ryan Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and farms 56 acres of …
Downy mildew disease has been detected in lettuce (LDM) in multiple locations in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) in Florida. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) noted the disease’s observance on Saturday. This year’s detection is later than normal, since prior detections in 2023 and 2024 were reported in February. The weather forecast noted weather conditions …
By Clint Thompson The Florida Citrus Show was once again a success. It united the specialty crop industry, informed farmers about trends impacting citrus and vegetables, while preparing growers for the upcoming season. And it never hurts to enjoy tailgating treats that were prominent among participating vendors. It was an impactful event, says Morgan Assaf, show organizer for AgNet Media. …
Fruit and vegetable growers who use chlorpyrifos should be reminded that the insecticide can only be applied on food crops until June 30, after which continued use will be banned. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers advise producers that the products that contain chlorpyrifos are “unlikely to be available for sale and finding alternatives to …
By Clint Thompson The threat and subsequent implementation of tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico by the Trump Administration triggered hard feelings and retaliatory tariffs. But it’s a necessary evil so support can be rallied for American businesses, including specialty crop farmers in Florida and Georgia. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), …
Chilli thrips plague farmers worldwide, but new research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has found two strawberry varieties that show less harm from these pests. The finding comes through research funded in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch program. That’s encouraging news for growers in …
