By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon producers should be wary about the dangers of applying too much water. It can result in leeching of nitrogen in their sandy soils. Producers who apply too much water not only lose the excess water, but they also lose the fertilizer and then yields. Mark Warren, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Correct Disease Diagnosis Crucial for Producers
By Clint Thompson An incorrect diagnosis of a plant disease can be a costly error for a producer. In an era where input prices are just as high as they have ever been, a farmer can ill-afford to apply the wrong fungicide. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) …
Potato Production, Price Update
Potato production was down in 2022 as planted acres and yield production dropped, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service Situation and Outlook Report. Production is down 3% from last year due mostly to a decrease of 2% in planted acres. It is the first time that annual potato production has declined five straight years since 1866. …
Bacterial Spot Disease Intensifying, Spreading Across Florida Peppers, Tomatoes
Bacterial spot disease has been observed in multiple locations across South Florida. The weather has attributed to the disease increasing and intensifying in some vegetable crops. According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, dense fog and isolated rain events led to disease development. Bacterial spot is moderate to high in tomatoes and peppers across south Florida. Bacterial spot …
Florida Specialty Crops Impacted by Frigid Weekend
By Clint Thompson Florida specialty crop producers are feeling the sting from a frigid weekend across the state. More time is needed to determine the long-term effect from temperatures dipping into the 20s (degrees Fahrenheit) in Plant City, Florida, where there is a lot of vulnerable strawberry production. Temperatures also dropped into the 30s further south in the Labelle/Immokalee areas, …
Freeze Effect: Sub-Freezing Temperatures Impact Southeast Specialty Crops
By Clint Thompson Consecutive nights of sub-freezing temperatures has Southeast specialty crop producers concerned moving forward this year. Vegetable growers are worried about potential injury to their fruit that were vulnerable in the ground. Strawberry farmers are concerned about wind damage to their crop. Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are concerned now about the long-term ramifications for their young plantings that …
New HLB Therapy Opens Door to Opportunities
By Peter Chaires The Florida citrus industry recently gained access to a newly approved HLB therapy for use on bearing citrus. In addition to new applications in the use of 2,4-D and gibberellic acid, growers now have a 24(c) special local needs label supporting direct application (injection) of oxytetracycline. It is no secret that industry recovery will require some combination …
Recent Rains Help Alleviate Some Dry Conditions Across Southeast Region
The drought-like conditions are starting to dissipate across the Southeast thanks to recent rain events, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s driest conditions remain in the central and southern areas of the state. Moderate dry conditions are observed in Shelby, Talladega, Coosa, Chilton, Bibb and Perry counties in central Alabama, as well as in Wilcox, Butler, …
Wilton Simpson Ready to Take Ag Commissioner Reins
By Frank Giles Wilton Simpson won his bid to become Florida’s next commissioner of agriculture and leader of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in November. The fifth-generation Floridian from Trilby, Florida, is an egg farmer and brings a legislative background to his new job. We asked Simpson about his background and the priorities he will bring …
Florida Citrus Mutual Names New Government Affairs Director
Landon Hoffman will become director of government affairs for grower organization Florida Citrus Mutual on Jan. 9, 2023. Hoffman joins Mutual from Congressman Neal Dunn’s office, where he served as campaign manager for this year’s reelection. Prior to that, Hoffman was Dunn’s district director. In that role, he oversaw district operations and served as staff for the congressman on the U.S. House …