By Johan Desaeger Florida’s subtropical climate offers unique opportunities to grow crops outside of the typical growing season of other states. Such is the case for strawberries and many vegetables. There are high expectations that hemp could be another such crop, although nematodes may have something to say about that. Plant-parasitic nematodes, such as root-knot and sting nematodes, can cause …
Florida Farmer: Administration Needs to be Real Careful with Upcoming Hearings
Paul Allen, president of R.C. Hatton Farms in Belle Glade, Florida and chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, believes the outcome of the upcoming virtual hearings about unfair trade practices with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office could have significant ramifications come November. “This administration better realize that the American people are very well aware of this Florida deal. …
Bringing Technology to Specialty Crops
United States Department of Agriculture Posted by Greg Astill, Markets and Trade Economics Division, Economic Research Service and Suzanne Thornsbury, Senior Advisor for Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities, Office of the Chief Scientist in Research and Science Advances in technology, automation, and remote sensing is a cross-cutting, macro movement in science impacting agriculture outlined in the USDA Science Blueprint (PDF, …
Georgia Farmer: What’s Right is to Help Support Us
Tifton, Georgia farmer Bill Brim is ready to voice his concerns about unfair trade practices during one of the two virtual hearings scheduled for Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 with the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office. The hearings will provide the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration an opportunity to hear from seasonal produce growers in Georgia and Florida on …
Howler Fungicide Provides Vegetable Growers with Multiple Modes of Action
Howler fungicide from AgBiome Innovations is a product that harnesses the power of the plant microbiome to create a fungicide with multiple modes of action. It provides preventive, long-lasting activity on a broad spectrum of soilborne and foliar diseases and does the job for a number of specialty crops. For Florida and South Georgia growers specifically, it’s great for strawberries, …
UF Researchers Expand Vanilla Project
By: Brad Buck, 813-757-2224 (office); 352-875-2641 (cell); bradbuck@ufl.edu You can taste it now. A refreshing scoop of vanilla ice cream or milkshake can be tasty and help cool you down in the sweltering Florida heat. To meet growing consumer demand for vanilla, Alan Chambers, a UF/IFAS tropical plant geneticist, is studying which beans to grow in Florida, and when and …
Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo Seminar Schedule Now Available
The Citrus Expo and Vegetable & Specialty Crop Expo is coming to you this year! The popular annual event will be virtual to present information to growers that they need in a safe way against the backdrop of COVID-19. On Aug. 19–20, the 2020 seminar program will debut online at VSCExpo.com at 9:30 a.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy videos of …
Flavorful Fruit Yields Sweet Results for Melon Farmers
Southeast watermelon growers delivered a flavorful crop this year that yielded a sweet price at the market, said Mark Arney, executive director of the National Watermelon Promotion Board.  “We’re happy, we’re happy for the guys. Obviously, the guys that didn’t have a crop, it doesn’t matter how hot the market is, they’re not going to make money. We feel terrible …
Actuality: One Reason not to Plant Unsolicited Seeds from Unknown Sources
United States Department of Agriculture Jacob Barney, invasive plant expert at Virginia Tech University, giving one of several reasons why we should not plant seeds that show up at our door unsolicited from unknown sources. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024SECURE FUNDING NOW | USDA-Sponsored Farming Project Underway in the Southern …
UF/IFAS to Host Vegetable Growers Meeting
The University of Florida/IFAS will host a vegetable growers meeting on Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. It will be a virtual meeting and feature talks from Extension agents and specialists. Extension agent Craig Fey will discuss fundamentals of weed management and focus on principles such as exclusion, prevention, cultural and chemical strategies. UF/IFAS weed scientist Ramdas Kanissery will …