 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Florida”
By Clint Thompson Tuesday’s tariffs implemented by the Trump Administration is helping level the playing field for Georgia’s fruit and vegetable industries. Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA), discussed the trade war which resulted in tariffs levied on China, Mexico and Canada. “We have tried everything we know to level the playing …
Whitefly infestations are low but mostly increasing across areas in southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. In central Florida, scout reports indicate low whitefly population levels in tomatoes. In southwest Florida, scouts report low to moderate whitefly population levels. Some newly planted tomato, cucurbit and potato fields are being infested early, within a few days …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to protect Florida’s farmers and hunters from drone harassment. The proposal will prohibit the drones on designated agricultural lands designated without the property owner’s approval and will prohibit drones on or near private property, state-hunting lands, or shooting ranges with the intent …
By Clint Thompson Most North Florida watermelon growers are on the cusp of another planting season. While some acres across the region are planted in late February, most are planted, beginning in March, explains Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “I think the majority of our …
By Clint Thompson North Carolina (N.C.) berry farmers should be mindful of thrips. Not normally a problem for growers in North Carolina in past years, thrips have been gaining traction as a concerning pest recently, says Lorena Lopez, N.C. State assistant Extension professor of entomology and plant pathology. “Western flower thrips are the major thrips species that we have infesting …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released key findings from a vegetable survey it conducted with growers in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Florida tomato production in 2024 totaled 638 million pounds, a decrease of 27% from 2023. The value of utilized production for tomatoes was $331 million, down 32% from last year. Sweet corn …
Thrips populations are increasing across multiple areas in southern Florida. This is according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts reported moderate levels of chili thrips and low levels of flower thrips in strawberry fields in central Florida. Population levels are increasing in Southwest Florida. Levels have increased from low to moderate for flower thrips and melon thrips. …
By Clint Thompson The recent cold snap impacting Florida benefited the region’s strawberry crop, believes Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida. He said the crop size will improve as a result. “We needed this cold weather we’re getting. We had abnormally warm weather leading up to this point. I saw a lot of our fruit, …
By Clint Thompson The Florida Citrus Show is less than a month away. Southeast specialty crop producers, including from Florida, Georgia and Alabama, are invited to attend this year’s show, scheduled for March 13 in Fort Pierce, Florida. While citrus is a major component of the daylong show, there is a vegetable seminar program scheduled for those wanting to learn …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting the Florida Farm Bill and its proposal to protect Florida’s farmers and ranchers from environmental, social and governance (ESG) lending discrimination from financial institutions. The proposal will prohibit financial institutions from using ESG scoring to restrict services and capital to farmers. Traditional lending determination options, such as the evaluation of …
