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By Clint Thompson The next 90 days are critical for the domestic tomato industry. That is how Robert Guenther, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, views the next three months following Monday’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) would terminate the 2019 U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement, which will become effective July 14, 2025. Guenther believes the …
By Clint Thompson One North Georgia peach producer is a little more than a month away from starting his harvest season. Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms, could not be more optimistic about this year’s crop. “I think it’s going to be good. I feel good about it,” Echols said. “Depending on the varieties, we’ve got fruit that is dime …
North Carolina (N.C.) State Extension will be hosting a two-day, in-person learning workshop for Spanish speakers to prepare to take the N.C. Private Pesticide Applicator certification exam. This free preparation course will take place May 5-6 at the Wayne County Cooperative Extension Center. It will prepare participants to take the private pesticide applicator exam and obtain pesticide certification. Topics that …
By Clint Thompson Alabama specialty crop producers looking to capitalize at farmers markets this year need to remember that booth appearances matter when attracting consumers to buy their commodities. Roshell Rosales Aguilar, an Alabama Cooperative Extension agent, talked about what growers need to consider before setting up shop as a vendor at a local farmers market. “I would say consistency …
Growers use the citrus under protective screen (CUPS) production system to protect trees from the Asian citrus psyllid, the insect vector of HLB disease. While grapefruit is most commonly grown in CUPS, statistics support the belief that CUPS can be conducive to other types of citrus. “There’s a need to establish the growing requirements and the needs of other varieties. …
Mark Trimmer, president and founding partner of DunhamTrimmer, has more than 35 years of experience in research, product development, registration, technical service and technology licensing in the crop protection industry. DunhamTrimmer is a market research company focused exclusively on the global biocontrol, biostimulant, biofertilizer and crop nutrition markets. We asked Trimmer for an update of the state of the biologicals …
By Clint Thompson North Florida’s watermelon crop sustained some damage from storms last Friday evening. There was minimal impact across the region, though some fields experienced hail damage, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. He reported in his weekly email that growers with heavy …
By Clint Thompson The calendar says mid-April which means vegetable season is underway in South Florida. Gene McAvoy, a crop consultant, discussed the current season. “We’re just getting into full swing with watermelons, tomatoes, peppers, just about everything right now,” McAvoy said. “We’re just now finishing up with cool season crops, cabbage and what not. But just about everything else …
By Clint Thompson Vegetable producers must be wary that diamondback moth is being observed in high populations across South Georgia. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, highlighted the insect and its impact. “Diamondback moth has popped up. It can pop up or disappear this time of year. It’s not controlled by temperatures as much as a …
Downy mildew disease has been confirmed in a North Florida watermelon field, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Not only that, it was also confirmed in South Georgia as well. But growers must consider all the facts before responding to the breaking news. Hochmuth …
