The February issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights various topics impacting one of the most important sectors in agriculture. Everything from the upcoming Farm Bill, to the recently passed omnibus bill, to blueberry production, to the Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference are covered in this month’s issue. The fruit and vegetable conference returned to Savannah in January and …
Guidance Provided on Use of ReMedium TI
Trunk injection of the oxytetracycline hydrochloride formulation ReMedium TI for HLB treatment was given final clearance Jan. 11. The product began moving into the Florida citrus industry that same day. Consequently, the product’s manufacturer and the Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation both issued reminders and recommendations about the product’s use. Manufacturer TJ BioTech, LLC suggested the following things for growers …
Blueberry Bloom Period Vital Time for Growers to Protect Against Diseases
By Clint Thompson Looming warmer temperatures mean blueberry blooms will soon start opening up across the Southeast. That means growers need to be diligent in applying necessary fungicide sprays. Jonathan Oliver, University of Georgia (UGA) assistant professor and small fruits pathologist, discussed the various diseases producers should be wary of during open bloom. “At bloom we’re concerned about mummy berry …
Everglades Research and Education Center to Celebrate 100 Years
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) will celebrate its 100-year anniversary on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The event will include research tours of the EREC and feature various talks focusing on the center’s history. Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior Vice President, will provide an administrative welcome. Keynote speakers include Jim …
Regulatory Enforcement Making Pest Control Challenging for Specialty Crop Producers
By Clint Thompson Insects are hard enough to manage if you are a specialty crop producer. The threat of a lack of pesticides due to regulatory enforcement is making something difficult even more challenging. Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, discussed the outlook during the recent Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference in Savannah, Georgia. “The …
UF/IFAS EREC to Celebrate 100 Years
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Everglades Research and Education Center (EREC) will celebrate its 100-year anniversary on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023. The event will include research tours of the EREC and feature various talks focusing on the center’s history. Scott Angle, UF/IFAS Senior Vice President, will provide an administrative welcome. Keynote speakers include Jim …
Alabama Fruit Still Lagging Behind in Chill Hours
By Clint Thompson The Christmas freeze and mid-January freeze events provided much needed chill hours for Alabama’s fruit tree crops. But commodities like peaches are still lagging behind last year’s totals, says Edgar Vinson, assistant research professor and Extension specialist in the Department of Horticulture at Auburn University. “(Chill hours) are up a little, but they’re actually behind where we …
USDA Provides More Than $4.7 Million to Projects That Protect Florida Agriculture and Natural Resources
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $4.7 million to Florida as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance, and mitigation, as well as protecting the U.S. nursery system. “Florida’s 47,500 farms and ranches span 9.7 million acres. It’s a major producer of oranges, strawberries, tomatoes and melons,” …
January Freeze Nips Some Sweet Corn
By Clint Thompson A mid-January freeze event impacted sweet corn production in South Florida. The significance of the impact during the weekend of Jan. 13-15 depends on what production stage the corn was in. Tori Rumenik, commodity services and supply chain manager for the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, elaborated on how some producers were affected by the freeze burn …
Deadline Looming for Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop farmers that assistance is available to help cover expenses of complying with regulatory and market-driven food safety certification requirements. Applications for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for eligible 2022 costs are due by Tuesday, Jan. 31. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for 2023 …