Specialty Crop Grower Magazine: Hop Production Progressing in Florida

Clint ThompsonHops, Specialty Crop Grower Magazine

By Frank Giles One of the missions of land grant universities is helping farmers to learn better ways to produce their crops. But another is seeking alternative crops, which might help growers to diversify their business operations. Some alternative crops work; others don’t. Research efforts might pay off when a crop catches on. A recent of example of this is …

Nematode Management in Hops

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Hops

By Clint Thompson Choosing the right hops variety means growers won’t have to be as concerned with root-knot nematode management. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed that benefit of hops production which continues to gain traction in Florida. “The hop …

hops yard

Figuring Out the Right Hops “Recipe” in Florida

Dan CooperFlorida, Hops, Specialty Crops, Varieties

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center hosted a hops field day in early June. The event included a tour of the center’s hops yard and educational presentations on growing the crop. Much of the hops used in brewing beer is grown in Washington and Oregon. Shinsuke Agehara, UF/IFAS associate …

UF/IFAS Researchers Work to Make Beer Hops a Viable Florida Crop

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Hops

Although plenty of Florida’s craft brewers advertise their libations as brewed with state-grown ingredients, a vital ingredient – hops – is not readily available within the Sunshine State. A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) study currently underway, however, may help pave the way for a robust crop of Florida-grown hops. UF/IFAS researchers believe they have …

UF/IFAS Research: Diseases Minimal in Hops

Web AdminDisease, Hops, Research

By Clint Thompson Potential hops producers in Florida can rest easy knowing diseases are minimal, if they start with clean material. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses what findings his research has yielded so far in this up-and-coming commodity. “The only …

Brewers Savor the Candy Flavor of Some Florida-Grown Hops

Web AdminFlorida, Hops, Research

Brewers like the flavor and aroma that come from Florida-grown Cascade hops, says a University of Florida (UF) Extension agent. Matt Smith admits his sample size is small thus far – only seven brewers — but he’s excited by what he’s hearing from those who make craft beers. Most said they would brew craft beer made from Florida-grown Cascade hops …

Hops: A Potential Alternative Crop for Alabama Producers

Web AdminAlabama, Hops, Research

According to Alabama Extension, research specialists will conduct a hops cultivar trial in the hop yard of the E.V. Smith Research and Extension Center in Shorter, Alabama this year. There will also be a workshop conducted at a later date, training growers on cultivar selection and crop management. The research is in response to increased interest for hops production throughout …

Hops Future in North Carolina? N.C. State Researcher Optimistic

Web AdminHops, North Carolina

By Clint Thompson The potential of new high-yielding hops varieties has N.C. State Associate Professor and Extension specialist Jeanine Davis optimistic about the crop’s future in North Carolina. “The growers are very excited because these yields are as high, and in some cases, higher than yields we’re often seeing in say Michigan and New York,” Davis said. “I think if …

Hops on Display: See a Unique Crop at Florida Ag Expo

Web AdminFlorida, Hops, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Hops research, seven years in the making at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida, will be on display at Florida Ag Expo on Nov. 18. Jack Rechcigl, GCREC center director, said one of the highlights of the Expo will be the hops …

Hops Research: UF/IFAS Scientist Discusses Challenges, Advancements of Crop

Web AdminFlorida, Hops, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Hops research at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is still in its infancy, but progress has been made. In fact, the main hurdle for hops to become a sustainably viable crop is for investment into a processing facility, says Shinsuke Agehara, UF/IFAS assistant professor of horticulture. “Even if we find a …