By Clint Thompson High temperatures this week have watermelon producers concerned about potential sunburn on this year’s crop. It could impact growers in the North Florida region who have already started harvesting and those in South Georgia and South Alabama that are still a few weeks away. “In some cases, these fields that haven’t been walked over yet, as long …
Statistically Speaking: Labor Concerns Highlighted During Florida Ag Conference
By Clint Thompson Farmers spend a substantial amount of money every year to operate a labor force for their crops. It’s the defining issue that John Walt Boatright, deals with as director of government affairs at American Farm Bureau. “No matter where we go and no matter who we talk to in farm country, labor continues to be the focal …
Let the Harvests Begin: North Florida Watermelon Producers Starting to Harvest Crop
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon harvests are expected to take off this week amid prolonged sunshine in the forecast. In fact, some have already started. “I saw some busses locally that were loaded with watermelons, so apparently somebody started over the weekend,” said Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Mechanical Harvesting Highlighted at Blueberry Meeting
By Clint Thompson Challenges accompany the use of machine harvesters in Florida blueberry production. But as growers who implement the technology on their farms will attest, the long-term benefits are worth the short-term headaches. Ryan Atwood, Kyle Hill and Kyle Straughn were part of a grower panel at a Florida blueberry meeting in Citra on March 6. They agreed that …
Stone Fruit Field Day: High Density Orchards the Future of Florida’s Peach Industry
By Clint Thompson The Stone Fruit Field Day at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Plant Science Research and Education Unit in Citra, Florida, on May 7 introduced attendees to the future of the state’s peach production. Research plots focused on peach production in high density orchards. It’s a research study that highlights more planted …
Rainy Impact: Expect Disease Pressure Increase in North Florida Watermelons
By Clint Thompson A ‘significant increase’ in watermelon diseases is expected across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida following rainfall last weekend. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, reported in his weekly email that reports over gummy stem blight and downy mildew should spike after rainfall …
Autonomous Harvesters Key to Florida Strawberry Survival
By Clint Thompson Autonomous harvesters are the future of Florida strawberry production. They have to be. Labor costs are too high, prohibitively so, for Florida growers to continue at the current rate. It is why industry leaders are advocating for time and resources to be devoted to the development of automatic harvesters. “To be honest, if there isn’t an autonomous …
Florida Tomato Field Day Scheduled for May 15
Florida tomato growers should mark their calendars for the Florida Tomato Field Day, scheduled for Thursday, May 15 at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida. Multiple scientists from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, including entomologist Hugh Smith, tomato breeder Jessica Chitwood-Brown, plant pathologist Gary Vallad, weed scientist Nathan Boyd, horticulturalist Shinsuke …
Drought Monitor Update: Florida in Need of Rainfall
The May 8 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions worsening in Florida and expanding in South Georgia and Southeast Alabama. Extreme drought is observed in a couple of areas in Florida. One area is centered around Lake, Sumter, Marion, Volusia and Flagler counties. The other is located in the southern area of the state, including Miami-Dade, Monroe, …
Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Grimmway Farms Staying on Top of the Carrot Kingdom
By Frank Giles In the competitive world of fresh produce, growers must remain agile and quick to adapt to changing conditions. There are many different pathways to success despite the challenges. One path is a growth trajectory to spread risks and ensure supply. Another path is to remain small and focused on a niche product or customer base. And there …