South Florida is abnormally dry. While it is not uncommon this time of year, vegetable and specialty crop producers are having to adjust with their irrigation management, says Gene McAvoy, University of Florida Regional Vegetable Extension Agent IV Emeritus. “It’s pretty characteristic of this time of year in South Florida. We’re in the height of our dry season now. We …
Narrow Escape: North Florida Watermelons Dodge Significant Frost Damage
Watermelon farmers in Northeast Florida escaped significant damage this weekend during frost and prolonged cold temperatures, believes Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “The way that I characterize it is we escaped narrowly. I think if we had another degree or two colder or if the event had been a couple of hours longer, any …
Smart Investment: Prosperous Season Leads Farmer to Save, not Expand
What is it like to be an American farmer in 2021? In an era when success should spark expansion and growth, producers are content with saving money for the next rainy day that is bound to come along. That’s the impact imports are having on producers like Matt Parke. The Parkesdale Farms strawberry farmer in Plant City, Florida enjoyed a …
Watermelon Production Decreased in 2020
Prices were High Watermelon production in the United States decreased in 2020, while prices remained strong. According to the USDA Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook, domestic fresh-market watermelon production totaled 3,419.9 million pounds in 2020, which is a decrease of 4.4% from the previous season. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that production in 2019 was 3,579.2 million …
Crop Progress: What’s Happening in Southeastern States?
The United States Department of Agriculture released its crop progress reports for each state this week. Alabama: Temperatures in March were comparable with or up to 7.9 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than historical averages. Rainfall ranged from 2.6 inches to 14.6 inches, though heavy rain was recorded during the latter part of the month. It improved drought conditions but also halted …
’22 Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida
Nursery Value Select Growers Need to Make Insurance Decisions Soon Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (USDA RMA) remind Florida Nursery Value Select growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2022 crop year is May 1. Current policyholders who wish to adjust …
What’s the Impact? Florida’s Food Supply Chain Industries Asked to Respond to COVID Survey
By: Kirsten Romaguera, 352-294-3313, kromaguera@ufl.edu A survey aimed to gauge impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the food supply chain will close on April 11. A research team from various institutions, including the University of Florida aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on food and agricultural systems and to develop strategies for coping with future crises. The project …
FFVA President: (Food Security’s) a National Security Issue
Feb. 11, 2021 could be a date that lives in infamy for Florida’s vegetable and specialty crop growers. At least that’s the way Mike Joyner views the U.S. International Trade Commission’s (USITC) unanimous verdict regarding blueberry imports. “As a result of that 5-0 ruling, I would completely agree with you, it was a gut punch for our growers,” said Joyner, …
Sweet Finish: Florida Strawberry Growers Ending Season with Strong Crop
What began as a sour start to Florida’s strawberry season is ending with a sweet finish, says Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. Parke said he wasn’t getting the desired volume before Valentine’s Day. Then it started and hasn’t stopped since. “I think it’s going to end up being a bumper deal for us. We …
UF Scientist: It’s Really Outside the Box
University of Florida/IFAS research hopes to yield a new crop for Florida producers. Though it is not likely to be ready for farmers for years, coffee is a potential commodity that the state’s growers could utilize one day. “It’s really outside the box. Often times we’ll start researching a crop, but growers have already started trying to produce it. This …