A referendum is under way for U.S. blueberry producers and will continue through Oct. 22. The referendum is being conducted for eligible producers and importers of highbush blueberries to determine whether they favor continuance of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s regulations regarding a national highbush blueberry research and promotion program. The Georgia Blueberrry Commission, however, has issued a unanimous vote to …
UF/IFAS to Host Upcoming Citrus Events
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) faculty are hosting a number of events for citrus growers in the upcoming weeks. All events are free but require preregistration. Oct. 26              Citrus Nutrition Day  9 a.m. to Noon Citrus Research and Education Center Ben Hill …
Vaccine Mandate: AFBF Concerned About Potential Impact on Agriculture
By Clint Thompson President Joe Biden’s wish that businesses require COVID-19 vaccines for their employees has Ag leaders concerned about its potential impact for farmers. Allison Crittenden, Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), offers her concerns about the ramifications that implementing such a mandate would have on local producers. “We are always focused on how …
Tomato Prices High For Southeast Farmers
By Clint Thompson Tomato prices are up. Supply is low. But that’s not necessarily a good proposition for farmers with a crop, says Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science. “Prices are up. Supply is tight right now. Where we would typically be sourcing tomatoes from, at least in the eastern U.S., would be kind of in …
Psyllid Control? Fungal Pathogen Effective Against Citrus Greening Vector
By Robin Koestoyo FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The Asian citrus psyllid transmits the bacterium associated with the most serious citrus disease worldwide — and now it has a formidable enemy in a fungal pathogen. The citrus industry at its zenith was spread across about 950,000 Florida acres. Citrus greening reduced it to today’s approximate 400,000 acres. The fungus is Cordyceps …
Hydroponic Lettuce: Fall in Florida Provides Prime Growing Conditions
FLORIDA — Growing lettuce in a PVC hydroponically can provide better tasting producer and a longer refrigerated shelf life. Lettuce, which is harvested on more than 342,000 acres across the country, represents a $2 billion industry, mostly situated in California, Arizona, and Florida, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Census Data. In Florida, more than 10,000 acres of lettuce are harvested during cool and short …
Arthropod Pest Management in Conventional Strawberry Production
By Sriyanka Lahiri Crop rescue through a well-planned pesticide rotation program currently remains the most effective method of pest management in conventionally grown strawberries. However, close monitoring for pests should be conducted as the first line of defense, especially since most strawberry pests are not visible through unaided vision. Thrips Flower thrips immatures and adults can feed on the fruit …
100 Years of Impact: NFREC Instrumental in Helping Tomato Industry
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Quincy, Florida has enjoyed 100 years of impact. Part of that success is attributed to the vegetable program, in particular, with tomatoes. Josh Freeman, University of Florida/IFAS Associate Professor in Horticultural Science, discusses the impact his predecessors …
Florida Producer: It’s Always a Chess Match This Time of Year With Strawberry Plants
By Clint Thompson The strawberry disease that has decimated plantings in Florida and Georgia has already caused some nursery plants to be destroyed. However, there are enough plants for producers to fill their quota, says Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association. “There’s not going to be a shortage of strawberry plants. Somebody said the same thing …
Georgia Economist: Most of Increased Input Costs are Temporary
By Clint Thompson Input costs remain high for vegetable and specialty crop producers. But they are not permanent, stresses Jeff Dorfman, University of Georgia Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and State Fiscal Economist for Georgia. “I think most of this is temporary. People need to understand, we basically took a worldwide supply chain for every industry …