November Storm: What Remains of Sara to Impact Florida, Gulf Coast

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson A November tropical storm threat is not uncommon for the Southeast. That means increased rainfall chances this week for the region’s specialty crop producers from what remains of Tropical Storm Sara. The storm formed in the western Caribbean, made its way into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend and is slated to impact parts of the …

High Whitefly Populations Across Southern Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

High populations of whiteflies are being observed across the southern region of Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. High population levels are being reported in some watermelon fields in Southwest Florida. However, scouts indicate low, yet increasing population levels in most crops, with nymphs being reported in some older fields. Whitefly …

Management Options for Florida Blueberry Growers in November

Clint ThompsonBlueberries, Florida

Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator, is advising blueberry growers about management options they need to consider during November. Producers should continue monitoring and managing leaf diseases, especially in evergreen systems. It is the time for blueberry farmers to begin monitoring for blueberry gall midge. They can use bucket traps (3 …

Strawberry Plant Pathologist Appreciates Nurseries’ Transparency with Neopestalotiopsis

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberries

By Clint Thompson Strawberry growers are risking this year’s crop by growing plug plants impacted by Neopestalotiopsis disease. One industry expert applauds the communication between the nurseries and potential buyers about the risk to this year’s crop. “For one thing I really appreciate the nurseries for being up front and transparent as they’re being. I don’t think we used to …

Pineberry Still Appealing to Consumers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson More than three years after the pineberry started gaining traction as popular Florida-produced berry, interest in the specialty crop continues to grow, according to Wish Farms Director of Marketing Amber Maloney. “We love growing the pineberries. We see excitement on the retailer side, still,” Maloney said. “When we first introduced it, it was something brand new. It …

USDA to Issue More Than $235 Million to Farmers Hit by Natural Disasters, Including Hurricane Milton

Clint ThompsonFlorida

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing payments this week to agricultural producers impacted by natural disasters, including $143 million in crop insurance indemnities for Florida producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and about $92 million for livestock producers, nationwide, who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to 2022 qualifying drought and …

Farmer Following Two Hurricanes: It’s A Lot to Take

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

By Clint Thompson One major hurricane is enough to devastate a farming operation. How about two in less than a two-week span? It’s enough to rattle any specialty crop producer. L&M Family Farms has farming operations throughout Florida and one in Georgia. It was hit hard by Hurricane Helene when it moved through North Florida and South Georgia on Sept. …

UF/IFAS Supports Florida After Hurricanes Helene, Milton

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Despite some having their own homes without power or damaged in the wake of Hurricane Helene, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) faculty and staff across North Florida readied themselves as an Incident Command Post was established at the Suwannee County Fairgrounds. “Our Extension agents got to work quickly, helping farmers put up fences, clear debris …

Herbicide Plus Fertilizer Equals Fewer Weeds, More Tomatoes

Clint ThompsonFlorida

A combination of herbicide and fertilizer can prevent nutsedge from impacting tomatoes, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). That should mean more of the vegetable going to the grocery store and your kitchen. An increase or decrease in tomato production is critical because it’s a $400 million-a-year industry in Florida. Growers want to control …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Whitefly Population Levels Vary

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Whitefly populations remain concerning throughout central and southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Despite low whitefly populations in watermelon in central Florida, virus incidence is in medium to high range. In Southwest Florida, scouting reports indicate low whitefly populations in beans and watermelon. Virus incidence in watermelon is in the medium to high range despite …