By Clint Thompson Dry weather in the Southeast is inevitable. Those conditions could bring a resurgence of whitefly pressure, says Roy Morris, senior technical sales rep at Bayer. “When it’s wet, although your plants are lush, you start getting some fungi and things that’ll naturally occur and take out the (whitefly) populations. When it’s hot and dry, they can turn …
Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo a Sweet Success
By Clint Thompson Friends reunited. Farmers shared stories. Industry leaders talked about the latest trends in citrus, vegetable and specialty crops. Yes, AgNet Media’s Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo was a success. Just being able to meet again for an in-person show was a win following last year’s virtual show amid the coronavirus pandemic. Approximately 750 attendees pre-registered for …
Weed Management with Fumigants
By Nathan Boyd Fumigants are the cornerstone of pest management programs in most high-intensity plasticulture production systems. They are used to manage soil-borne pathogens, nematodes and weeds. Fumigants have been broadly adopted because they reduce pest populations prior to crop establishment and provide a means to control pests for which there are no other viable alternatives. In addition, fumigants enable …
Expo’s Return Much Needed for Industry
By Clint Thompson This week’s return of the Citrus, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Expo is much needed for exhibitors like Eric Johnson. The retail market manager with FMC has attended Citrus Expos for more than 20 years. But last year was different. The show held virtually, amid the coronavirus pandemic, was not the same as the previous years when in-person …
Plant Breeding Remains Key to Fusarium Wilt Management
By Clint Thompson The key to eliminating fusarium wilt disease’s impact on watermelons in the Southeast is developing disease-resistance cultivars, says Nick Dufault, University of Florida/IFAS plant pathologist. “Where we stand is we’re trying to work with breeders and get new lines of resistance out there,” Dufault said. “We’re gaining a new understanding of the pathogen. I think we made …
Late Registration Looms for FFVA Convention
By Clint Thompson Late registration for this year’s Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) convention ends Aug. 30. The 77th annual convention is slated for Sept. 13-15 in Naples, Florida. FFVA President Mike Joyner said the organization is excited about this year’s event. “We are expecting just a great turnout. I think people are just really anxious to get out …
Citrus Producer’s Young Trees Look ‘Outstanding’
In the face of production declines, pest issues and other challenges, multi-county Florida citrus grower David Wheeler of Wheeler Farms found something positive to report. “One bright spot is the health of our young trees,” he said. “They look outstanding and have been on a good program with a rotation of insecticides.” Wheeler Farms’ more mature citrus trees aren’t doing …
Career of Excellence: UF Professor Honored
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Fred G. Gmitter, Jr., a professor of horticulture and citrus breeder at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Citrus Research and Education Center, is a 2021 Fellow by the American Society for Horticultural Science. More than 500 members have been recognized with this honor since the first Fellows were elected in 1965. …
Registration Deadline Looms for Florida Tomato Conference
The registration deadline for the 2021 Florida Tomato Conference is Wednesday, Aug. 25. The event is scheduled for Sept. 8 at the LaBelle Civic Center in LaBelle, Florida. Registration is free for employees of Florida tomato growers/packers, sponsors, presenters and university affiliates. The cost for other attendees is $50. The event will start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 5 …
Southeast Still Relatively Drought Free
The Southeastern United States remains relatively drought free, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama, Florida, Georgia each has sufficient moisture. Only a small portion of Greenville County and Spartanburg County are abnormally dry in South Carolina. A stretch of counties in western North Carolina remains abnormally dry. The counties stretch as far west as Henderson County …