Potential Second Wave of Pandemic Could Impact Vegetable, Specialty Crop Producers

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson The coronavirus pandemic struck in mid-March during harvest season for vegetable and specialty crop growers in the Southeast. Many fear a second wave of COVID-19 could strike again in October and November when temperatures start to drop. It is also when many producers have their fall crop in the ground. “The specialty crops would be where maybe …

NOFA Deadline for CFAP is Today

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By Clint Thompson Today, June 22, is the last day for growers and industry leaders to submit information and data to the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) about crops to be considered for inclusion in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). There is a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) where stakeholders and producers of other commodities can submit information and …

Red Node Disease in Beans a Potential Problem

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Red Node Disease, aka Tobacco Streak Virus, was discovered in beans in a Florida vegetable field this spring. It’s vectored by thrips and could potentially be a problem for farmers this fall, according to Prissy Fletcher, University of Florida/IFAS Agricultural Extension agent for St. Johns County, Florida. “I have been here 14 months and since I have …

Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2020 Year-to-Date

Web AdminFlorida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Water

(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundNovember 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril …

Start Work Now on Worker Protection for Next Season

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Paul Allen, chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, encourages farmers to prepare now for next growing season with respect to worker safety. FFVA strongly urges every grower and farm labor contractor to implement these measures to the utmost of your ability. Download the checklist, review it, print it out and begin working now to designate a workplace coordinator …

Pecan Tree Dieback Scary But Normal For Growers

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Georgia, Nuts, Pecan, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Leaf scorching and dieback on some young pecan trees is common this year with high temperatures, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. But Wells assures growers the problem can be corrected. “We see that this time of year pretty much every year; young trees where they’re growing so fast that the root …

UF Professor Earns Award From UF/IFAS Extension Peers

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By: Ruth Borger, 517-803-7631, rborger@ufl.edu LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Water is essential to Florida farmers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow crops, feed animals and sustain their livelihood. University of Florida soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they …

Frustrated Florida Farmer Voices Mexican Imports Concerns

Web AdminAlabama, Exports/Imports, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson COVID-19 was a challenge of pandemic proportions for farmers this spring. Adding insult to injury were the influx of Mexican produce that undercut American producers trying to sell their own product. Florida vegetable farmer Sam Accursio has a potential solution. “The only solution I know is to vote, get the people that are like-minded and want to …

Pecan Industry Seeks to Establish a Research and Promotion Program

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USDA Agricultural Marketing Service The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) received a proposal from the National Pecan Federation (NPF) requesting the establishment of a research and promotion program to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans and develop new uses for pecans. USDA is currently analyzing the proposal. If USDA finds the request …

Sweet Market for Melon Farmers

Web AdminAlabama, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Top Posts, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson Watermelon prices are holding strong for Southeast farmers, according to one South Georgia producer. Terrell Rutland believes extenuating circumstances could help extend the strong market, currently at 20 cents per pound, for growers an extra few weeks. “Anything north got frost bit about the first of May. Florida is through so that kind of puts us in …