By Ernie Neff The benefits of compact bed plasticulture for vegetable growing were discussed at a grower meeting Feb. 4 in Immokalee. Some of the information was presented by Sanjay Shukla, an agricultural engineer with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center. Compact beds, at 16 to 24 inches wide …
Determining the Ideal Irrigation for Peaches
By Ashley Robinson According to researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA), supplemental irrigation can have a significant impact on peach tree growth. When Dario Chavez, assistant professor of peach research and Extension, started his research with UGA in 2014, he noticed that most growers were not irrigating their young peach trees in newly established orchards. Fruit production begins after …
What You Need to Know About Phony Peach Disease
By Kendall Johnson and Phil Brannen Peaches are one of the most economically important fruit crops for the state of Georgia. Growers provide a large variety of high-quality peaches for the fresh market not only in the Southeast, but for much of the United States. Recently, growers have reported an increase in a disease called phony peach, which threatens production. …
Georgia Citrus Association to Host Annual Conference
By Clint Thompson Georgia growers interested in adding citrus to their farming operation are invited to the fourth annual Georgia Citrus Association Conference on Monday, Feb. 24, at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center. Scientists from UGA and the University of Florida, as well as producers who are already growing citrus trees, will be in attendance to …
Managing Black Rot in Cabbage
By Ashley Robinson Florida’s warm and wet climate can create the optimal environment for a multitude of cabbage diseases. Black rot is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris is a significant issue for Florida cabbage growers. Not only can this disease cause major losses, but once a field is infected, it is difficult to get rid of the disease. “Black rot …
Nematode Control in Compact Beds
By Ernie Neff Nematologist Johan Desaeger discussed nematode control trials in compact vegetable beds versus wider conventional beds at a vegetable grower meeting at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee on Feb. 4. More than 30 growers and others attended the meeting. Desaeger works for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the …
Know the Rules for Agricultural Drone Use
By Ashley Robinson The use of drones in production agriculture has become more prevalent in recent years as larger commercial models have become accessible. As these products become more popular, it’s important to remember that using an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, comes with a strict set of rules and regulations created and governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). …
Blueberry Advisory System: Tool for Timing Anthracnose Fruit Rot Control
By Doug Phillips The Blueberry Advisory System (BAS) is a weather-based alert system that signals Florida blueberry growers when environmental conditions are favorable for the development of anthracnose fruit rot (AFR). A new, updated version of the BAS was released on Jan. 31, available at http://agroclimate.org/tools/bas/. The data for AFR risk models is collected from the Florida Automated Weather Network, which has weather stations throughout the state. The risk for AFR …
Rising to the Challenges of Florida Farming
Problem-solving skills and a thirst for knowledge allow Chuck Obern to run a thriving vegetable farm. By Kendal Norris To be successful in farming requires a good deal of stamina, flexibility and determination, along with a love of the art of growing things. Charles “Chuck” Obern, owner of C&B Farms, Inc., embodies all these qualities. He is also curious, with …
Seasonal Farm Trade Tensions Between the United States and Mexico
In spite of the good will generated after the United States and Mexico approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, there could be more tensions between the two countries surrounding produce. The Financial Post says Mexico responded to a letter from the top U.S. trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, pledging protectionist measures on seasonal farm trade for producers in the politically important states of …