U.S. highbush blueberry producers and importers approved a national referendum that will continue the national research and promotion program. The referendum was conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). In the referendum, 84% of those voting, which represented 93% of the volume of highbush blueberries, voted in favor of continuing the program. “Since joining the USHBC …
Organic Corner: Managing Mites and Thrips in Strawberries
By Sriyanka Lahiri The development of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach for the various arthropod pests of organic strawberries is underway at the University of Florida’s Strawberry and Small Fruit Crops Entomology Lab. The primary arthropod pests needing management include chilli thrips, western flower thrips, two-spotted spider mite and cyclamen mite. Strawberry fruit yield losses due to feeding damage …
Georgia Vegetable Grower: Supply Chain Crisis a Strain That Will Get Worse
By Clint Thompson The current supply chain crisis is putting a strain on vegetable farmers in the Southeast. It is likely to get worse before it gets better. That’s the message that Jon Schwalls, Executive Officer at Southern Valley, sent to the U.S. House Ag Committee during testimony last week. Crop protection products that growers utilize and take for granted …
Cover Crops Provide Plethora of Benefits
By Clint Thompson Cover crops are widely used in Florida strawberries, not as much so in vegetable production, however. Johan Desaeger, Assistant Professor of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida (UF) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, would like to see that changed. “I think it’s something that would benefit a lot of crops here in Florida. Our …
Commissioner Fried: We Need Federal Action to Level Playing Field
Tallahassee, Fla. — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on Thursday. She addressed the continued unfair foreign trade practices being employed by Mexico and other countries that are causing severe harm to the domestic seasonal produce industry. “Florida farmers and American agriculture is the best in the world, and …
Biological Control: UF Research Testing New Measures for Mites in Blueberries
By Clint Thompson Biological applications may be Florida blueberry growers’ best management strategy for long-lasting control of mites. Oscar Liburd, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Professor and Fruit and Vegetable IPM Program leader, said resistance concerns are forcing researchers to consider alternative control measures. “One of the problems is that if we continue using the …
Citrus Q&A: UF/IFAS CREC to Host Open House, Field Day
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) researchers want to answer questions citrus growers may have to produce a crop successfully and safely amid citrus greening disease. Citrus farmers can get those questions answered during a UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) open house and field day on Tuesday, Nov 16. …
Commissioner Fried, FDACS Announce New Farmer Mental Health Initiative
Tallahassee, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is announcing that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to carry out a new Farm Stress Awareness and Reduction Initiative in Florida. With this grant award, FDACS will launch an outreach campaign to help raise awareness about …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Persist Across Southeast
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions continue to persist in certain areas across the Southeast. In Florida, abnormally dry conditions are detected in the northeast part of the state, along the Atlantic coast. These range from Nassau County to Volusia County. Dry conditions are also being experienced in Southeast Georgia, along the Atlantic coast in Richmond County, …
Sweet Corn Insect Management: Scouting Important Against Fall Armyworms
By Clint Thompson Scouting remains the main key for Florida sweet corn farmers in fending off fall armyworms this season. Julien Beuzelin, a University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) entomologist, said appropriate management of fall armyworms starts with making sure you have a problem to begin with. “For armyworms, scouting is very important because you …