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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson Florida’s tomato season was challenged from the start. But considering growers were able to weather two hurricanes, they churned out a solid crop, said Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “We really had a horrible start to the season with two hurricanes coming through Florida. That really put us back. I would say …
Thrips population levels range from low to high across fields in southern Florida. This is according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts in central Florida are reporting low to moderate population levels in tomatoes and cucurbits. In southwest Florida, scouts indicate levels varying between crops from low to high. Thrips are increasing in pepper and watermelon and …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a Stone Fruit Field Day on May 7 in Citra, Florida. It will highlight innovations in peach production and provide a tour of the research orchard. Attendees will learn about Florida’s first high-density peach orchard experiment that was planted three years ago and is now ready for …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the Florida Legislature for passing the Florida Farm Bill (SB 700), the most comprehensive agriculture-focused legislation in the state’s history. Sponsored by Senator Keith Truenow and Representatives Kaylee Tuck and Danny Alvarez, the legislation was passed with strong support from both chambers, delivering sweeping reforms that protect farmland from development, invest in agricultural …
By Clint Thompson A prolonged dry spell is not unexpected for Florida’s farmers this time of year. It does present ideal weather conditions for the state’s blueberries to be harvested. Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Blueberry Extension Coordinator, discussed the current harvest season. “It’s good picking weather, because you definitely want the berries …
By Clint Thompson The sooner that watermelons in the Suwanee Valley can be harvested and marketed this year the better for North Florida producers. That time frame looks to be around mid-May, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. If the current hot and dry weather …
By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew disease has been confirmed in watermelon in the Suwannee Valley region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, noted in a weekly email that as a result of having low disease incidence, growers should “keep things simple.” “Perhaps a …
The lack of rainfall in recent weeks has led to drought conditions worsening across the Southeast. This is according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida is experiencing some level of drought conditions. The Panhandle and Northeast Florida are abnormally dry, starting as far west as Okaloosa County and stretching eastward to Nassau, Duval and …
By Clint Thompson What was once a dream is becoming a reality for Florida strawberry growers hoping to one day utilize automated strawberry harvesters. Harvest CROO, a company whose focus is developing a fully autonomous strawberry harvester, announced its automated harvest field trials have successfully demonstrated commercial viability. Gary Wishnatzki, co-founder and Wish Farms owner, discussed the breakthrough and its …
By Clint Thompson The end to the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement will not disrupt the current market access to tomatoes nor will it impact prices consumers are paying. That’s the belief shared by Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “We’re going to see this hyperbole as I like to call it, or false narrative that tomatoes …
