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By Clint Thompson Rindworm activity has yet to be reported in North Florida’s watermelon crop. But increased feedings are expected in the upcoming weeks, believes Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. Hochmuth reported in his weekly email on Sunday that growers should continue to scout for …
By Clint Thompson What a difference a year makes for Alabama peach producer Jackson Reeves. Last year’s crop was decimated by two spring freeze events. “Last year we didn’t have our early peaches and we didn’t have our late peaches. We still had some of our peaches right in the middle of July, but we didn’t have a full crop,” …
Blackberries are already known for their health benefits, and someday, they might provide even more antioxidants than the ones you buy now, say University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers. UF/IFAS scientists are trying to breed and grow blackberries, which ripen in April, May and June in the Sunshine State. In a new study, scientists found …
The cover story of the May issue of Specialty Crop Grower Magazine focuses on a tiny but destructive pest of blueberries and strawberries in Florida. Chilli thrips have long been problematic for Florida growers and are fast becoming a concern for producers in neighboring states, like Georgia. Chemical applications are the main way farmers control the pest, and they are …
Vegetable producers experienced a drop in market prices in 2023, though they rebounded during the early months of 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. The domestic annual vegetable price index, computed by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, dropped 11% from the highs of 2022. The decrease was attributed to …
Most of the Southeast region has sufficient moisture. The only abnormally dry conditions are seen in part of Florida and North Carolina, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Multiple counties in southern Florida are abnormally dry. The dry conditions start as far north as Brevard, Osceola, Polk and Hillsborough counties and stretch southward to Charlotte, …
Ever since Florida farmers have been producing tomatoes, they’ve picked them by hand or hired laborers. It’s painstaking work that might be made easier soon with machine-harvestable tomatoes developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers. Now that the varieties are available, growers in Florida’s $400 million-a-year industry hope they can use mechanized harvesting, but doubts …
WASHINGTON – The Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Friday a final rule to strengthen protections for farmworkers. The rule targets vulnerability and abuses experienced by workers under the H-2A program that undermine fair labor standards for all farmworkers. “H-2A workers too frequently face abusive working conditions that undercut all farmworkers in the U.S.,” said Acting Secretary Julie Su. “This …
Strawberry diseases are devastating Georgia’s strawberry crop, which could lead to one of the worst production years ever, according to Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist. “Many strawberry sites are now suffering substantial plant mortality as the season progresses. Losses are not uniform, and some sites look pretty good. But unfortunately, many do not,” Brannen wrote …
By Clint Thompson Georgia Vidalia onion producers are in the midst of harvest season. One industry expert is optimistic with this year’s crop. Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent, said his growers have avoided extreme weather events this season which helped production. “We did have some big rains earlier before harvest, but that really didn’t create …
