Tallahassee, Fla. –The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness will host a virtual Farm to School Experience on Wednesday, Oct. 20. It is an opportunity for schools, distributors and producers to connect and learn more about the 2021 Farm to School initiative. The initiative helps increase the amount of fresh, local foods …
Letter to President: Action Needed Now Against ‘Unfair’ Imports
The message is clear: Action is needed immediately against “unfair” imports. Florida Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with more than half of Florida’s congressional delegation, pleaded with President Joe Biden in a letter addressed on Oct. 6 that the “long-standing threats posed to our security by unfairly-priced and high-volume imports are as grave as ever and deserve your …
Farm Budgets More Important Than Ever
By Clint Thompson In an era of high input costs for all and low commodity prices for some, farm budgeting is an essential part of any vegetable or specialty crop producer’s farming operation. Jessie Rowan, Alabama Regional Extension agent, who specializes in commercial horticulture and farm and agribusiness management, stresses the importance of keeping track of daily costs. It will …
Open House, Field Day Planned for UF Citrus Research and Education Center
LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) research information pertinent to Huanglongbing, or citrus greening disease, will be front and center at a Nov. 16 Open House and Field Day at the Lake Alfred experiment station. What Can Attendees Expect? More than 20 hands-on exhibits will feature the latest research findings to …
Economist: If You Can Raise Prices, You’re Doing It; Not Everybody Can Do That
By Clint Thompson The recent increase of input and supply expenses has led to businesses increasing consumer prices. While most can simply increase their consumer prices to recoup those expenses, fruit and vegetable crop producers are not always as fortunate. Jeff Dorfman, University of Georgia Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and State Fiscal Economist for Georgia, …
Fall Watermelon Production Not Recommended in North Florida
By Clint Thompson Josh Freeman, University of Florida (UF)/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) Associate Professor in Horticultural Science, is completely honest when assessing the potential of fall watermelon production in north Florida. “To be completely frank, we would not recommend watermelon growers grow watermelons in the fall,” Freeman said. His blunt assessment is attributed to the multiple variables …
Downy Mildew Disease Control Options
Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath reports in the The South Carolina Grower that conditions are favorable for downy mildew disease to start on collards and kale. Control methods must be effective to increase crop yields. Keinath recommends the following practices to maximize control: Rotate crops to new fields every year, since downy mildew disease in brassicas can survive in the …
Whitefly Infestations Vary Across Florida
Whiteflies remain sporadic in areas across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Growers and scouts report populations are low to moderate in most areas in southwest Florida. Recent rainstorms help suppress some of those populations. Growers are also continuing to find whiteflies after heavy spray programs. Respondents indicate that whitefly infestations are widely present across central …
Scouting Pivotal for Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson Scouting remains a pivotal tool in strawberry producers’ fight against Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, cautions producers about what to look out for in the early stages of this year’s strawberry season. “At this stage in the fall you would look for leaves with brown leaf spots, especially on …
Crop Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Summaries
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide There are some reports that anthracnose may be an issue in strawberries this year. In addition, we are continuing to look out for the new disease, Neopestalotiopsis. Clemson Plant Pathologist Guido Schnabel has recommended applying …