By Clint Thompson Between natural disasters, a pandemic and unfair trade practices, Georgia blueberry farmers have taken one blow after another the past four years. For some farmers, a hailstorm on April 23 was the ultimate knockout punch. Russ Goodman, co-owner of Cogdell Berry Farm with 600 acres in Clinch and Lanier counties, lost between 60% and 70% of the …
Hydrogen Cyanamide for Uniform Bud Break in Peaches
By Ashley Robinson Weather conditions are an important factor when it comes to growing peaches in Florida. Florida’s mild winters and fluctuating temperatures in the fall continue to be challenges for peach production. Because peach trees are deciduous, they require a certain amount of cold weather to become dormant. Once the cold weather requirement for dormancy is met, the warm …
National Organic Coalition, Organic Farmers Association Ask Congress to Protect Food and Agriculture During Pandemic
Washington, D.C. – May 8, 2020 —The National Organic Coalition (NOC) and Organic Farmers Association (OFA) called on Congress yesterday to include provisions in the next coronavirus relief package to help organic farmers, farmworkers, retailers, certifiers, and other businesses weather the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all sectors of agriculture, organic operations are in crisis. In a five-page letter, NOC and OFA …
Expected Temperature Drop in N.C. Leads to Extra Protection for Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Potential freezing temperatures this weekend in North Carolina could impact strawberry production. Unless farmers utilize row covers for protection. According to Mark Hoffmann, North Carolina State small fruits Extension specialist, row covers, which help reduce radiation in the field should provide adequate frost protection from temperatures in the 30s on Saturday and Sunday. “It looks like in …
COVID-19 Guidelines for Agricultural Operations
By Laurel L Dunn for UGA CAES Newswire Farmers and food processors take routine steps to reduce the likelihood of foodborne pathogens, like Salmonella and E. coli, contacting our food and causing illness. The procedures that our food industry takes on a daily basis are also effective in reducing the chances that the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 will come in …
Florida Mangoes Soon Will Be Ready for Harvest
By Clint Thompson Florida mango lovers will soon be able to sample this year’s crop, according Alan Chambers, University of Florida Assistant Professor/Genetics and Breeding of Tropical Fruits. “The mangoes are just beginning to ripen now,” he said. “Fresh mangoes from Florida will soon be available. We had multiple mango blooms this year in response to multiple cold spells. As …
Frost and Freeze Protection for Vegetable Crops
Written By Chris Gunter, N.C. State Extension Vegetable Production Specialist Weather predictions for this weekend include clear skies with minimal or calm winds, which are conducive to cold temperatures and could lead to freeze or frost conditions in North Carolina. On Sunday morning, May 10, low temperatures are predicted to drop into the 30s with some temperatures possibly below freezing …
Preliminary Reports in COVID-19 Impact Survey Show Effects Vary by Industry
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As University of Florida economists cross the halfway point in their surveys of Florida’s agriculture and marine industries related to the impacts of COVID-19, initial reports indicate that impacts vary widely across industry types in terms of business closure rates, operations changes, and impacts to sales revenues and employment. In one of the five surveys of the …
Be Careful How You Store Certain Fruits, Vegetables
By Clint Thompson University of Florida post-harvest plant physiologist Jeff Brecht cautions consumers about putting some fruit and vegetables in their refrigerators. Quality commodities like tomatoes, melons, avocados and peaches are chilling sensitive. Consumers need to be wary that too much cooling can affect the quality of certain produce. “I hear complaints about all of those where people say, ‘They’re …
Control Options for Cowpea Curculio
By Ashley Robinson Southerners love cowpeas, also known as southern peas or black-eyed peas. Unfortunately, so do cowpea curculios, a weevil that wreaks havoc on peas grown in the Southeast. University of Georgia (UGA) researchers are working to eliminate the pest. History of the Pest David Riley, professor of Entomology at UGA, has been researching cowpea curculio for the past …