Paper Mulch a Viable Option Against Nutsedge

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Paper mulch continues to show adequate evidence in North Florida watermelon research that it provides strong nutsedge control. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, discussed this year’s research with the WestRock product. “We’re very excited about the potential in the future. There’s no …

Grafted Watermelon Plants Costly But Effective Against Fusarium Wilt Disease

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Grafted watermelon plants remain a significant defense against fusarium wilt disease. They are just costly and cause a delay in harvests, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “It does appear that properly managed grafted watermelons can be very helpful in managing fusarium …

UF/IFAS Scientists Studying Whether Cover Crops, Compost Can Increase Tomato Efficiency

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Specialty crop producers are always looking for ways to increase their yields and boost the ability of their crops to resist pests, diseases and heat spurred by climate change. That’s particularly the case when you grow crops in a high-intensity production system, which farmers use to produce tomatoes in Florida. Such systems require a lot of water, nutrients and chemicals …

mangos

Sweet Profits: Florida Mangoes Selling High

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Mangos

By Clint Thompson Florida mango production has a benefit that other countries lack and is a big reason the industry is enticing for potential producers. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences professor and tropical fruit crop specialist, highlighted how domestically produced mangoes are selling high when compared to mangoes that are imported into the U.S. …

Costly Year for Gummy Stem Blight Control

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Gummy stem blight’s presence in North Florida watermelons this year was expensive to manage. It could be even costlier to growers’ sustainability in the future. “Are we going to start losing effectiveness of chemistry?” pondered Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “That’s the …

Registration Open for Florida Ag Labor Relations Forum

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Registration is currently under way for the 50th annual Agricultural Labor Relations Forum, scheduled for Aug. 28-30 at the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resor Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. The Florida Specialty Crop Foundation will present the forum, designed to educate agricultural employers, including growers, shippers, farm labor contractors, and other employers, on compliance with agricultural labor laws and sound relations …

Nematode Management in Hops

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Hops

By Clint Thompson Choosing the right hops variety means growers won’t have to be as concerned with root-knot nematode management. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed that benefit of hops production which continues to gain traction in Florida. “The hop …

You’ve Got Mail: FFVA Chair Provides Comments to Governor on Farmworker Housing Situation

Clint ThompsonFlorida

David Hill, chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA), sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis in mid-June in support of Senate Bill 1082. Senate Bill 1082 According to the Florida Senate: “Senate Bill 1082 preempts a local government from inhibiting the construction or installation of housing for legally verified agricultural workers on land classified as agricultural if …

Free Business Planning, Tax Management Workshop for Farmers in Miami-Dade

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Successfully operating any agribusiness such as a farm, ranch or nursery requires strong financial skills to ensure profitability and sustainability. Too often, agribusiness owners don’t survive due to key knowledge gaps in business planning and tax management.  “A business plan is critical to the financial sustainability of any agriculture business,” said Fredy Ballen, a University of Florida Institute of Food …

Florida Tomato Associations Seek New Leader

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

Maitland, FL – The trade associations that support Florida’s tomato growers, packers, and shippers are seeking a new leader.  These associations include the Florida Tomato Exchange, the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange and the Florida Tomato Committee.  Michael Schadler, who has served as the executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange (FTE) since 2017, has accepted a job with the …