Caterpillar numbers vary across southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Beet armyworms are observed to be low to moderate in the last two weeks in tomato and pepper in central Florida. Melon worms are at moderate levels in squash fields, while there are low levels of loopers in tomatoes. Worm populations have increased over the …
South Florida Leaders to Honor Miami-Dade County Farmers Month at UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center
On Nov. 4, South Florida leaders and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences will commemorate Miami-Dade County Farmers Month during the 9th annual One Night in the Tropics. This premier philanthropic event will pay homage to those who harvest the fields of food that feed our communities. At the same time, it will raise funds for the University …
Don’t Forget! Registration Still Open for Florida Ag Expo Event
By Clint Thompson AgNet Media reminds those interested in attending this year’s Florida Ag Expo that registration is still ongoing for the event, scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Josh McGill, show director for AgNet Media provides more information for those thinking about attending the event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and …
UF/IFAS Using AI to Apply Herbicides More Efficiently
By Clint Thompson One University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher is using artificial intelligence (AI) to apply herbicides more efficiently. Nathan Boyd’s research will help growers to not make chemical applications where they are not needed. “We use artificial intelligence that we’ve trained to differentiate. You could train it to differentiate species. We’ve decided that’s …
FFVA Names Legislators of the Year
The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) named Florida Senator Jay Collins and Florida Representative Kaylee Tuck as its Legislators of the year for 2023. The two were recognized at the FFVA’s 79th annual convention in Naples on Sept. 25-27. The FFVA presents the awards to elected officials who have worked to promote public policies that advance and protect Florida …
New Fusarium Wilt Race a Concern for Florida Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson Florida tomato growers have a new concern with plant disease management this year. “The big news that we have right now is that we’ve identified a new race of fusarium wilt on tomato that appears to overcome a lot of our sources of resistance that are currently deployed. I’m just trying to get the word out to …
Producer Panel Discussion Part of Upcoming Florida Blueberry Conference
By Clint Thompson Labor remains a contentious issue for specialty crop producers in the Southeast. It will be highlighted during the upcoming Florida Blueberry Growers Association Conference and Trade Show. “It’s a topic with some really high interest among growers,” said Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. It has been widely …
Whitefly Populations Vary in South Florida
Whitefly populations vary in areas across South Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Watermelon fields in central Florida are experiencing low to moderate numbers. Moderate levels were also reported in squash. In tomato, reports indicate whiteflies are at three or less per plants, while others showed populations increasing to high levels over the previous week. Populations …
2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced on Tuesday that Eugene McAvoy, John Hoblick, and John Schlechter as the 2024 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees. The induction ceremony will be held at the Florida State Fair’s Agricultural Hall of Fame Banquet on February 13, 2024. “Today, I am proud …
‘Great’ Planting Conditions for Florida Strawberry Growers
By Clint Thompson Strawberry planting has commenced across southern Florida. Growers have been met with ideal conditions so far, according to one producer. “It’s been great. We’ve had overcast days. It’s great planting weather over here,” said Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve had some misty rains early on, a little bit of rain …