Whitefly Population Update Across South Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Whitefly populations are increasing across multiple areas in southern Florida. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, scouts, consultants and producers report whiteflies started strong in central Florida, but spray programs have kept them at a constant level. Moderate levels of nymphs are showing up in early crops across Southwest Florida. Reports indicate populations are increasing in tomatoes, …

Trade’s Impact: Joyner Testifies to Florida Senate Agriculture Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida

By Clint Thompson Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) President Mike Joyner continues to do his part in ensuring specialty crop producers in his state have a sustainable future. Part of that is educating legislative leaders about the dangers of relying on other countries for fresh fruits and vegetables. At least one Florida senator agrees. It’s become a national security …

Harvest Window a Potential Limiting Factor for Artichoke Production in Florida

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Florida Ag Expo

By Clint Thompson Artichoke production can be accomplished in Florida. The only concern Shinsuke Agehara has is capitalizing on a harvest window that is not very long. He discussed the current outlook concerning artichokes during the recent Florida Ag Expo event at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in …

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Applauds Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Hurricane Idalia Recovery Efforts for Agriculture

Web AdminFlorida, Hurricanes

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the efforts of the Florida Legislature last week following the conclusion of a special session that prioritized Hurricane Idalia recovery relief for Florida’s agriculture industry: “Florida’s agriculture industry sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Idalia, with an estimated loss of over $447 million in crops, livestock and infrastructure. Our state’s farmers, ranchers, and growers …

Chilli Thrips an Early-Season Problem for Florida Strawberry Producers

Web AdminFlorida, Pest Management, Pests

By Clint Thompson It would not be a strawberry season in South Florida if chilli thrips were not a nuisance for growers. But that appears to be the case again, according to one producer. “This year it seems like they’re moving into fields earlier,” said Dustin Grooms with Fancy Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We’ve already put some sprays out …

Southern Corn Leaf Blight Disease on Rise in South Florida

Web AdminCorn, Disease, Florida

Corn growers in southern Florida should be wary that Southern corn leaf blight disease is on the rise, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. The disease is starting to appear in the Everglades Agricultural Area. Incidences are low but increasing in corn. Low levels of southern corn leaf blight were reported in a few fields in Southwest …

‘Positive’ Start for Florida Tomato Harvests

Web AdminFlorida, Tomatoes

By Clint Thompson Tomato harvests are well under way across Florida. One industry expert likes the quality and quantity of this year’s fall crop. Bob Spencer, president of West Coast Tomato in Palmetto, Florida, discussed the outlook facing Florida growers. “We started up about a week and a half, two weeks ago. We’ve had decent yields for the fall; I …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Mite Pressure Update

Web AdminFlorida, Pest Management, Pests

Mite pressure is low but increasing in southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Southern red mites were reported in blueberries in central Florida. Broad mites were reported in a few pepper fields across Southwest Florida. Broad mite infestation increased to low levels in pepper fields along the east coast. In eggplants, two spotted spider mites …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Bacterial Spot Disease on Rise

Web AdminDisease, Florida, Leafy Greens

Bacterial spot disease is on the rise in plantings in southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Moderate levels of bacterial spot were reported in older plantings in central Florida. There have also been increases in bacterial spot, mostly on tomato crops, but also on susceptible pepper varieties in southwest Florida. Overall levels are normal or …

South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline: Caterpillar Pressure Increasing

Web AdminFlorida, Pest Management, Pests

Caterpillar pressure is low but increasing across areas in southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low worm activity was reported in central Florida. Worm pressure varies depending on crop and location in southwest Florida. Low to moderate levels of beet armyworms, southern armyworms, fall armyworms, loopers, hornworms, melonworms and fruitworms are being reported, with beet …