Mexican Tomato Industry Can’t Litigate Its Way Out of Dumping Charges

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Tomatoes

MAITLAND, FL – Last week, in response to a lawsuit by a large Mexican tomato exporter, the U.S. Court of International Trade remanded a 2019 decision to the Department of Commerce, which had determined Mexican tomatoes were being dumped in the U.S. market.  Importantly, this decision didn’t invalidate the fact that dumping took place but was a procedural decision that …

UF/IFAS Researchers Address Issues Facing Indoor Farms

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Across the globe, people are increasingly turning to greenhouses and indoor vertical farms to grow commodities. The systems use far less land than conventional farms, reducing some environmental impacts, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers say. They also require less transportation to move the food to consumers, because they tend to be in or near urban …

Attention Avocado Growers: UF/IFAS Survey Aims to Learn More About Disease Management

Clint ThompsonFlorida

There is no shortage of consumer appetite for avocados. Frequently incorporated into appetizers and desserts, avocado demand has surged in popularity. Meanwhile, production of avocado in the United States is under constant threat from diseases like Laurel wilt (LW) and Phytophthora root rot (PRR). They can devastate orchards if left unchecked. There is still much to learn about how growers …

Disease Management Options for North Florida Watermelons

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson While disease incidences have been minimal so far in North Florida watermelons, growers would be wise to plan accordingly, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth said in his weekly email that only gummy stem blight has been observed in the Suwanee …

Threat to Vegetables: UF/IFAS Experts Provide Tips to Manage Eastern Lubber Grasshopper

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Eastern lubber grasshoppers are out in force throughout the Southeast, including some parts of Florida. They’re munching on landscape plants, citrus and vegetable crops, while gardeners and growers are trying to minimize the damage. These insects can be found from March to April to about October to November in North Florida and the state’s Gulf Coast. They can be economically …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Thrips Pressure Increasing

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Thrips pressure is intensifying across certain areas of southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Populations are increasing across pepper fields from low to high levels in Southwest Florida. Some reports have indicated moderate to high levels of Florida flower thrips. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) commercial vegetable Extension agent Anna …

North Florida Melons Setting Fruit

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

By Clint Thompson The earliest planted watermelons in North Florida are already setting fruit. That is what happens when plantings start in mid-to-late February, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “The earliest planted ones, the ones that were planted the third week in February, those …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Whitefly Populations High in Area

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Pests

Whitefly numbers remain high across most of the South Florida area, according to the latest release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Medium populations are observed in central Florida, though they are increasing. Population levels vary from low to high across Southwest Florida, depending on the crop and based off of scouting reports. Some farms are seeing high …

Exhibitors Support Florida Citrus Show, Fruit and Vegetable Farmers

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson This week’s Florida Citrus Show allowed more than 50 exhibitors to continue their support of the event, hosted by AgNet Media. As a result, they continue to show support for fruit and vegetable farmers in the Southeast; at least, that’s how Mike Adrover views it. “It’s incredibly important because they are the lifeline of the state. They’re …

Fusarium Wilt Observed in North Florida Melons

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Watermelon

North Florida watermelon producers should be wary that Fusarium wilt symptoms have been observed in some fields, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. His weekly email included an alert that a “high percentage of plants in parts of fields have shown wilting.” “You may …