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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
The U.S. tomato industry is applauding the U.S. Department of Commerce’s decision to terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, which will become effective July 14, 2025. “This is a major victory for American agriculture,” said Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “For decades, American tomato farmers have suffered from unfair trade practices by Mexican tomato …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominees for the Florida Tomato Committee to fill seats for 10 producer members and their respective alternates for two-year terms, starting on Aug. 1, 2025. Nominations will take place on April 14 at a virtual nomination meeting in each of the two established districts. The committee is seeking nominees for five producer member …
Florida specialty crop growers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for the Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, scheduled for May 8. The day-long event, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Food and Resource Economics Department, will address issues, research and policies that shape the state’s agriculture industry. The event will be held …
North Florida watermelon growers should be wary of a few initial reports of squash bugs impacting fields in the Suwanee Valley. Most are arriving around the perimeter of the fields, noted Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, in his weekly email. Most bugs were still individual …
By Clint Thompson The earlier the better when detecting and managing Thrips (T.) parvispinus in vegetable crops. The longer South Florida growers wait to scout, the more susceptible their crops become, especially peppers. Anna Meszaros, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension commercial horticulture agent in West Palm Beach, Florida, updated pepper growers about the insect …
Behind every fresh head of lettuce and pepper on your plate, there’s a team of scientists working tirelessly to protect crops and farmers’ harvests from pests and plant diseases. De-Fen Mou, an assistant professor of entomology at the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) in Belle Glade, is one of the key researchers on the front lines, safeguarding Florida’s …
By Clint Thompson Tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration last week did not include products covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). That’s a missed opportunity to help Southeast specialty crop growers impacted by seasonal imports, says Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA). “Our greater concern is just disappointment that we felt like the …
By Clint Thompson The U.S. is importing more agricultural crops into the country than it is exporting. That’s resulted in an agricultural trade deficit. It’s also further evidence that the U.S. is becoming increasingly dependent on other countries for its food supply, says University of Florida (UF) associate professor Zhengfei Guan. “We can survive without an iphone, but we can’t …
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers must avoid applying copper with chlorothalonil when protecting against disease buildup. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, emphasized this stance early in the season and continues to stress its importance as it could lead to plant burning. “If they’re …
By Clint Thompson The first week of April is usually reserved for Florida sweet corn production to spike. This year is no different, says Tori Rumenik, director of commodity services and supply chain at the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA). She discussed this year’s crop and the top-notch quality that is expected. “March is when we kick off spring, …
