By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon season is nearing an end in multiple fields, but one disease continues to persist. Growers in the region still need to be wary of powdery mildew disease. Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said in his weekly email that if growers have a couple of harvest weeks left, they …
Florida Farmer: We Need to Protect Our Domestic Demand From Unfair Trade
By Clint Thompson One of the top issues affecting Florida vegetable and specialty crop production is imports. A drastic increase in produce coming from other countries continues to negatively impact the domestic markets. While morale has been low, especially following the U.S. International Trade Commission blueberry decision in February, some farmers remain upbeat. That includes Aaron Troyer, chairman of the …
Fusarium Wilt: Disease Worse This Year Amid Cooler Spring
By Clint Thompson It wasn’t ideal conditions for most watermelon diseases this spring. But one pathogen preferred the cool temperatures. Fusarium wilt, the disease that can cause plant death if the infection is severe enough, has been spotted throughout Florida and in the South Georgia production region, said Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science. The cooler …
Tasty Treat: Exceptional Quality Expected for Watermelons This Year
By Clint Thompson Ideal weather conditions contributed to “exceptional” quality of this year’s watermelon crop. That’s the expectation of two industry experts. “I think the quality this year has been outstanding,” said Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “Some of that is due to the climatic conditions. We had a lot of real, clear, bright …
Climate Change: UF Using Grant to Study Impact on Seed Development
Challenges are not uncommon for vegetable and specialty crop producers. Rising imports and high input costs are just a couple. But what about climate change? “The environment has a huge impact on plant health and reproduction,” said Alfred Huo, UF/IFAS assistant professor of plant breeding. “Plants respond to environmental cues, like temperature, to flower and reproduce in an adaptive manner. …
Commissioner Fried Comments on USDA Citrus Forecast
Tallahassee, Fla. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released updated projections[ ] for citrus production in the 2020-21 season on Thursday. The June forecast projects a 2% increase for Florida Oranges, a one million box increase to 52.7 million boxes, up from 51.7 million boxes in May. This includes a 3% increase in Florida Valencia Oranges. Florida Grapefruit production …
Nutsedge Management Key for Florida Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson Nutsedge may not be the most problematic weed Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers encounter every year, but it is a problem. Nutsedge is most concerning because it is the only weed to puncture through plastic mulch, says Nathan Boyd, University of Florida Associate Center Director and Associate Professor of Horticulture/Weed Science at the Gulf Coast Research …
Florida Citrus Forecast Continues Improvement
Florida’s citrus forecast for the 2020-21 season continues to improve but lags behind the previous season. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Florida’s all orange forecast was at 52.7 million boxes 2.37 million tons. This is an improvement of 2% from the previous forecast but still a decrease of 22% from last year’s final utilization. Florida’s early, midseason and …
Rubio, Scott Urge Reimplementation of Prohibition on Chinese Citrus Imports
Florida’s two U.S. Senators implored U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week to re-implement a prohibition on the importation of five varieties of citrus fruits from China. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) sent a letter to Vilsack this week in an effort to protect Florida’s citrus growers. The lletter focused on potentially exposing the state’s …
Drought Update: North Florida, South Georgia Remains Abnormally Dry
According to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions continue to persist across South Georgia and North Florida. As far west as Decatur County, stretching to the coast and as far north as Coffee and Irwin Counties are abnormally dry in Georgia. Counties as far west as Wakulla and Gasden, stretching eastward and as far as south …