By Clint Thompson Late spring freeze events have become predictable across the Southeast. Unfortunately, that has not been good news for the region’s blueberry producers. Blueberries are susceptible to sub-freezing temperatures this time of year. They are starting to bear fruit and are on the cusp of another harvest season. The danger has intensified in recent years as bushes bloom …
Upcoming Vidalia Onion Field Day
Vidalia onion producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for the annual Vidalia Onion Field Day, scheduled for Thursday, April 6, at the University of Georgia Vidalia Onion and Vegetable Research Center (VOVRC). The VOVRC is located at 8163 Hwy 178, Lyons, Georgia 30436. It will start with a sponsored lunch at noon, followed by a tour through the …
UF/IFAS, UF College of Medicine Team Up for Clinic, Nutrition Event to Help FarmWorkers
Faculty from the University of Florida (UF/IFAS) and the UF College of Medicine will test farmworkers for chronic diseases from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 23 in Arcadia, Florida. The screenings will be at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St. The clinic will be held in conjunction with a UF/IFAS Extension agricultural employee safety training at the …
Legislative Bill Aims to Promote Florida Grown Products
By Clint Thompson Key industry priorities for the Florida Farm Bureau were highlighted during last week’s Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food and Resource Economics Department. Courtney Larkin, director of state legislative affairs with Florida Farm Bureau, discussed a new initiative aimed at promoting Florida grown products. It …
Legislative Bill Focuses on Promoting Florida Grown Products
By Clint Thompson Key industry priorities for the Florida Farm Bureau were highlighted during last week’s Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference, hosted by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Food and Resource Economics Department. Courtney Larkin, director of state legislative affairs with Florida Farm Bureau, discussed a new initiative aimed at promoting Florida grown products. It …
Dry Weather Needed for Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Recent warm weather and prolonged dry conditions were much needed for Southeast specialty crop producers. Not only did it allow growers to get in the field and conduct much needed work in preparation for the spring crop, it also allowed the winter vegetables to continuing growing. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College …
Florida Remains Top User of H-2A Program
By Clint Thompson The top users of the H-2A program remain the same. The order at the top, though, has changed in recent years. According to John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs with American Farm Bureau, Florida was still the top user of the program from Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2022 with 50,973 certified positions. California was …
Bayer Announces Luna® Pro Fungicide
Luna® Pro fungicide, a premium premix fungicide that provides control of foliar and soilborne diseases in potatoes, is the latest release from Bayer. It utilizes prothioconazole, a DMI (DeMethylation Inhibitors) foliar fungicide, and fluopyram, an SDHI (succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor) fungicide. The combination of the two proven active ingredients offers a defense against early blight, white mold and other key potato …
Introducing the Commercial Vegetable Production Website
By Elise Schuchman and Craig Frey A new website dedicated to Florida commercial vegetable production is now available. The site (commercialveg.ifas.ufl.edu) is a collaborative effort between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension offices, research and education centers, growers and crop consultants. It provides commercial vegetable growers with a consolidated access point to the latest …
February Crop Updates for Southeastern States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service released crop updates for February for states in the Southeast. ALABAMA: February temperatures ranged from 3.7 degrees Fahrenheit (F) to 9.9 degrees F warmer than normal depending on the location. Total rainfall for the month ranged from 1.3 inches in Dale County to 9.2 inches in Marshall County. Most of the …