The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) submitted comments last week to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in response to the agency’s proposed interim registration review decision for thiophanate-methyl (TM) fungicide. Strawberry, cucurbit vegetable, succulent bean, potato and peach producers, including FFVA members, benefit from the fungicide, as it manages and suppresses key diseases. These include white mold, crown rot, …
Florida Agricultural Policy Conference to Focus on Farm Bill, Crops
This year’s Farm Bill, commodity outlooks and environmental management issues will headline topics for the eighth annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, scheduled for Thursday, March 2, at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center or via Zoom. Click here to register. The conference engages stakeholders around the state about …
Thrips Pressure Increasing in South Florida
Thrips pressure is moderate to high on multiple crops in southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Infestations are moderate to high on tomato, moderate on pepper and eggplant and low potato and watermelon. Populations are low in beans but increasing in certain areas. Thrips numbers had begun to increase in beans along the east coast, …
UF/IFAS Economists Narrow Estimate of Ag Losses from Hurricane Ian to $1.03 Billion
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) economists have refined the estimate of agricultural losses due to Hurricane Ian to $1.03 billion. This number is an estimate of the total value of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products that will not be harvested or marketed as a result the category 4 storm. Hurricane Ian made landfall …
Whitefly Pressure Building in Southwest Florida
Producers in southwest Florida should be wary that whitefly pressure is moderate to high depending on the location and wind direction, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. They have been observed swarming at high numbers, with more than 10 adults per leaf in multiple crops. These include eggplant, pepper, potato and watermelon. In other fields, whitefly adults …
Flavors of Florida Returns for 8th Year
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Flavors of Florida, the premier University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) tasting showcase, is now an annual event on the UF campus. The March 23 event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., in the Champions Club at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field. Tickets are available at early bird pricing …
Farmer Testimonial: Local Residents Preventing Housing Structure from Being Built on Farm
By Clint Thompson A small group of people can sometimes boast the loudest voices. For some specialty crop producers, that can impede progress. David Hill, president of Southern Hills Farms in Clermont, Fla., and chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, recently testified to the Florida Senate Agriculture Committee on the state’s fruit and vegetable industry. One of his …
Target Spot Disease Increasing in South Florida Tomatoes
Target spot disease is increasing in tomatoes in southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease has reached moderate to high levels in multiple fields. The disease is also reported to be observed at a high incidence rate in Homestead, Florida. Producers should be wary that target spot is frequently misdiagnosed and can be confused …
USDA Provides More Than $4.7 Million to Projects That Protect Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $4.7 million to Florida as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance, and mitigation, as well as protecting the U.S. nursery system. “Florida’s 47,500 farms and ranches span 9.7 million acres. It’s a major producer of oranges, strawberries, tomatoes and melons,” …
High Whitefly Levels in South Florida
Whitefly levels are high in many crops across southwest Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Those crops include tomato, eggplant, watermelon and squash. Adults are infesting new plantings of tomatoes and melons quickly. Populations continue to be moderate to high in multiple crops along the east coast. Whitefly infestations are high in various crops in Homestead, …