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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
Recent rains have helped alleviate some dry areas in the Southeast, according to the Aug. 28 release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. It is especially evident in Georgia. Minimal abnormally dry conditions are observed in the southwest corner of the state, including Seminole, Decatur, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Miller, Baker and Mitchell counties. A small area in Northwest Georgia is abnormally …
By Clint Thompson Specialty crop growers scored a significant win last week when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intention to discontinue the Farm Labor Survey (FLS). The FLS helped the Department of Labor determine the AEWR, the minimum wage for H-2A workers in every state. Rates have spiraled out of control in recent years. Michael Marsh, president …
By Clint Thompson Bamboo’s future as an alternative crop for Florida growers will be determined by two factors: Oversupply and labor needs. According to Michael Rogers, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center Director and Professor of Entomology and Nematology, the potential for too much bamboo is not realistic considering its many …
By Clint Thompson Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), was a featured speaker during last week’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo in Tampa, Florida. His main objective was to provide a broad overview of the citrus and specialty crop economies. They have faced their share of challenges over the past couple of decades but have …
With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), farmers may soon find it easier to remove strawberry runners. It could save time and labor, new University of Florida research shows. Growers need all the help they can get to reduce production costs for an industry estimated at $500 million a year in Florida. Strawberry plants can grow special stems called runners. …
By Clint Thompson Florida specialty crop growers are always searching for that next alternative crop. Bamboo could be it. Bamboo has great potential as an alternative crop in Florida, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. The subject of extended discussion during last week’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo, bamboo was highlighted as a …
By Frank Giles Recent salmonella outbreaks and recalls in the Southeast are a good reminder for all specialty crop growers to evaluate their food-safety protocols and practices. That’s the message from Michelle Danyluk, a professor of food biology and safety with the University of Florida Institute of Food Agricultural Sciences. “It has been a busy year on the food Danyluk …
By Clint Thompson This week’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo was again a sweet success as farmers and industry leaders flocked to Tampa, Florida, for the two-day show on Wednesday and Thursday. The Florida State Fairgrounds hosted the event for the third straight year, as more than 1,100 pre-registered. Seminar sessions were held for citrus and specialty crop growers, discussing …
By Clint Thompson Count the tropical fruit industry as an agricultural sector impacted by climate change. Certain areas in Florida are now home to tropical fruit production. It wasn’t that long ago that the thought of farmers in central Florida producing mangoes and other tropical fruits seemed unthinkable. Jonathan Crane, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has provided guidance for Florida blueberry growers to consider during August. Disease Management Disease management remains important. Growers should be scouting for algal stem blotch as well as other leaf diseases. For producers managing bacterial wilt, they should monitor through irrigation or banded bed applications of a phosphorous acid product. …
