The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host a Stone Fruit Field Day on May 7 in Citra, Florida. It will highlight innovations in peach production and provide a tour of the research orchard.
Attendees will learn about Florida’s first high-density peach orchard experiment that was planted three years ago and is now ready for harvest. They will also discover how machinery can be utilized for pruning, thinning and harvesting to reduce labor costs, which average about $2,500 per acre.
A discussion will also be had about the potential for commercial extension of peaches in Florida from Orlando to Gainesville. The goal of UF/IFAS is to produce peaches that can be sold domestically before those in Georgia, South Carolina and California come on the market.
There are also diversification opportunities, as small growers U-pick operations can diversify their production with non-melting peaches that are firmer compared to traditional melting varieties.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit, located at 2556 West Highway 318, in Citra, Florida.
