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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
What conditions are ideal for farmers to successfully grow tropical fruit in different regions of Florida? Scientists at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) say this question is at the root of concern for them as they communicate with new and potential growers who are not aware of a bigger problem at stake. Way too …
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry producer Ryan Atwood would not classify this year as a bumper crop. But it was not a bad crop, either. It was somewhere in the middle. The Mount Dora, Florida, producer discussed this season as harvests continue to wind down across the state. “I always tell people it’s a five-year average. You’ve got good years, …
By Maegan Beatty In mid-April, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) hosted the 9th annual Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma. The conference examines critical policy issues facing agribusiness leaders and provides economic insights. Participants heard from policymakers, key stakeholders and expert researchers on the farm …
By Clint Thompson Fusarium wilt disease is once again rearing its ugly head in Florida watermelons this year, according to one University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researcher. Nick Dufault, a plant pathologist with the UF/IFAS, noted in a blog that while little can be done now to manage the disease, it is still vital for …
By Clint Thompson Rindworm activity has yet to be reported in North Florida’s watermelon crop. But increased feedings are expected in the upcoming weeks, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth reported in his weekly email on Sunday that growers should continue to scout for …
Blackberries are already known for their health benefits, and someday, they might provide even more antioxidants than the ones you buy now, say University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. UF/IFAS scientists are trying to breed and grow blackberries, which ripen in April, May and June in the Sunshine State. In a new study, scientists found …
Ever since Florida farmers have been producing tomatoes, they’ve picked them by hand or hired laborers. It’s painstaking work that might be made easier soon with machine-harvestable tomatoes developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers. Now that the varieties are available, growers in Florida’s $400 million-a-year industry hope they can use mechanized harvesting, but doubts …
By Clint Thompson Florida blueberry growers have enjoyed a prosperous season so far, though that prosperity could come to a halt once neighboring states start harvesting their crop. That could soon be the case, explains Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “I think it’s been good production. A number of folks …
By Clint Thompson Florida’s peach crop was about 80% this year. It was also earlier than normal, explains Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The people that thinned on time are going to do well. I think we’ve had people picking since March. In north-central Florida, there’s been people picking …
Disease detection picked up over the previous week in North Florida watermelons. As observations of bacterial leaf spot and Alternaria leaf spot have been confirmed, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is advising growers to scout fields more closely as a result. “Based on field visits last week, I see the greater concern and recommendation to be …
