By Clint Thompson The strawberry disease that has decimated plantings in Florida and Georgia has already caused some nursery plants to be destroyed. However, there are enough plants for producers to fill their quota, says Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “There’s not going to be a shortage of strawberry plants. Somebody said the same thing …
Georgia Economist: Most of Increased Input Costs are Temporary
By Clint Thompson Input costs remain high for vegetable and specialty crop producers. But they are not permanent, stresses Jeff Dorfman, University of Georgia Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and State Fiscal Economist for Georgia. “I think most of this is temporary. People need to understand, we basically took a worldwide supply chain for every industry …
Hemp Pests: UF/IFAS Offers ID Tool
The first step in tackling a pest problem in hemp is proper identification. A new University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agriculture Services (IFAS) hemp pest identification tool helps producers take the guesswork out of identifying some of those pests. The hemp pest identification guide, available for purchase through the UF/IFAS Extension Bookstore, includes 20 of the most …
UF Citrus Breeder: Greening Inevitable for North Florida, South Georgia
By Clint Thompson It’s not a question of if citrus greening disease will be an issue for North Florida and South Georgia citrus producers but when will it be. Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida citrus breeder, believes the disease’s impact in both areas is inevitable. He shared his assessment during Thursday’s Cold Tolerant Citrus Production Workshop in Perry, Florida. …
CFAP 2 Deadline Approaches
Vegetable and specialty crop producers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama have until Oct. 12 to sign up for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) 2. The deadline allows for eligible farmers to either apply or modify their existing CFAP 2 applications. The program provides financial assistance to agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and related costs due to …
Ready for Strawberries: UF/IFAS Offers Tips on Producing Crop for Homeowners
Florida may be known as the winter strawberry capital of the world, but the time is now to plant strawberries. Fall means the air is soon going to get a little drier and maybe a little cooler in much of Florida. The temperature should be between 50 degrees and 80 degrees for best strawberry growth. Vance Whitaker, a strawberry breeder …
Rising Prices Are Worrying Farmers
By Ernie Neff Rising prices are worrying Florida farmers, Gene McAvoy with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) said in a presentation this summer. McAvoy is associate director for stakeholder relations at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. His presentation was to the National Association of Credit Managers Statewide Agricultural & Turf Suppliers …
A Lot to Learn: Two New Viruses a Concern for Florida Watermelon Industry
By Clint Thompson Two new watermelon viruses discovered recently in Texas are now a concern of Florida producers. As if South Florida growers did not have enough diseases to concern themselves with, these two new viruses are now on growers’ and industry leaders’ radar. Pam Roberts, professor of plant pathology and state Extension specialist for vegetable pathology at the University …
Consumer Awareness Key to Tomato Industry’s Fight Against Increased Imports
By Clint Thompson It is no secret that COVID-19 provided challenges to the food supply chain and obstacles for vegetable and specialty crop producers hoping to remain sustainable amid a global pandemic. But one aspect of the pandemic is that it has boosted consumer awareness of where their food comes from. Growers and industry leaders believe a ripple effect from …
Growing Primocane-Fruiting Blackberries in Florida
By Fumiomi Takeda The introduction of primocane-fruiting (PF) blackberries by the University of Arkansas is considered a major innovation in the blackberry industry. Anytime a variety or new way of growing a crop can extend the production and marketing season, the crop becomes more important for growers and consumers. In addition to extending the season, this advance has expanded the …