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Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson Powdery mildew disease has been confirmed in watermelon in the Suwannee Valley region of North Florida. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, noted in a weekly email that as a result of having low disease incidence, growers should “keep things simple.” “Perhaps a …
The lack of rainfall in recent weeks has led to drought conditions worsening across the Southeast. This is according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Most of Florida is experiencing some level of drought conditions. The Panhandle and Northeast Florida are abnormally dry, starting as far west as Okaloosa County and stretching eastward to Nassau, Duval and …
By Clint Thompson What was once a dream is becoming a reality for Florida strawberry growers hoping to one day utilize automated strawberry harvesters. Harvest CROO, a company whose focus is developing a fully autonomous strawberry harvester, announced its automated harvest field trials have successfully demonstrated commercial viability. Gary Wishnatzki, co-founder and Wish Farms owner, discussed the breakthrough and its …
By Clint Thompson The end to the U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement will not disrupt the current market access to tomatoes nor will it impact prices consumers are paying. That’s the belief shared by Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange. “We’re going to see this hyperbole as I like to call it, or false narrative that tomatoes …
With Cinco de Mayo approaching, now’s the time to dig into guacamole and even plant the tree that produces it. Florida avocados offer a fresh, tropical twist on this fan-favorite fruit that stars in so many recipes. Did you know Florida avocados have less fat than the popular Hass variety, making them the lean, green star of your fiesta spread? …
By Clint Thompson Another active tropical season awaits the Southeast this summer. While not as active as last year, predictions by Colorado State University are for 17 total named storms in the Atlantic Basin, nine hurricanes and four that are Category 3 or higher. In comparison, there were 18 storms in 2024, 11 hurricanes and five that were at least …
By Clint Thompson There is minimal disease pressure in watermelons across the Suwanee Valley region of North Florida. With dry weather conditions expected in the near future, risk of new infections of bacterial or fungal diseases is currently low, according to Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth noted in his weekly email what watermelon …
Whitefly populations are increasing in South Florida, according to the most recent release of the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Multiple reports indicate low to moderate whitefly populations in melons, tomatoes and snap beans in Southwest Florida. Whitefly infestations in melons is concerning, not just because of the risk of virus but in some populations, levels are high enough …
By Clint Thompson Florida’s strawberry farmers produced a viable and productive crop this year despite being challenged by Hurricane Milton just after planting season. It speaks to the resiliency of the state’s producers, says Nick Wishnatzki, public relations director at Wish Farms in Plant City, Florida. “We obviously started the season with a lot of uncertainty, with the hurricane on …
By Clint Thompson The next 90 days are critical for the domestic tomato industry. That is how Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, views the next three months following Monday’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) would terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, which will become effective July 14, 2025. Guenther believes the …
