By Frank Giles Hurricane Ian will have far reaching impacts on Florida agriculture. An initial estimate released by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) puts farm losses at between $787 million and $1.56 billion. The storm brought hurricane-strength winds to nearly 1.2 million acres agricultural lands in Florida. Vegetable growers are reporting varying degrees of …
No Rain, Minimal Disease Pressure for Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson The lack of rainfall in recent weeks means increased irrigation usage for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. It has also meant reduced disease pressure, which is normally prevalent this time of year. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, discusses the current scenario facing vegetable production. “Thus far, as …
Dry Conditions Across Southeast Will Only Get Drier
By Clint Thompson Dry conditions persist across the Southeast. It is only going to get drier. All of Alabama and most of Georgia is at least abnormally dry, as well as the Florida Panhandle. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, believes conditions will worsen over the next couple of weeks. “It’s dry, and I don’t think we’re going …
Federal Grant: UF Scientist to Investigate Strategies to Control Tomato Disease
Diseases like bacterial spot can threaten tomatoes, a $1.9 billion-a-year crop planted on 330,000 acres across 18 states. Gary Vallad, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) professor of plant pathology, has been awarded a $5.8 million federal grant to study how to mitigate this disease. “Bacterial spot of tomato is a major challenge to commercial …
Agricultural Losses to Hurricane Ian Could Top $1.5 Billion in Florida
The combination of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products potentially lost as a result of category 4 Hurricane Ian will likely be valued between $787 million and $1.56 billion, University of Florida economists predict. The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses and Damages resulting from Hurricane Ian,” from the UF/IFAS Economic Impact …
Hurricane Ian Aftermath: Economists Estimate Up to $1.5 Billion Hit to Florida Agriculture
The combination of seasonal crops, livestock, nursery and aquaculture products potentially lost as a result of category 4 Hurricane Ian will likely be valued between $787 million and $1.56 billion, University of Florida economists predict. The estimate was released as part of a new document, “Preliminary Assessment of Agricultural Losses and Damages resulting from Hurricane Ian,” from the UF/IFAS Economic …
Weekly Field Update – 10/17/22
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We have had absolutely beautiful weather as of late. This past week, agents were busy harvesting sweet sorghum to make into syrup, to distill, brew and pop (sorghum popcorn). This old timey tradition …
Attention Strawberry Producers: Keep Plants Watered Amid Colder Temperatures
By Clint Thompson Upcoming cold temperatures in the Southeast could impact strawberry plants being planted. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, highlighted in the University of Georgia Extension Strawberry Blog the importance of plants being watered this week as temperatures could potentially drop near or below freezing in some …
H-2A Guidance After Hurricane Ian
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Foreign Labor Certification has provided Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) with general guidance regarding additional flexibilities for H-2A employers impacted by Hurricane Ian. Most Florida citrus is harvested by temporary H-2A workers. Following is a summary of the DOL answers to four questions about H-2A employer flexibilities due to the hurricane’s impact: …
Rubio Leads Florida Delegation in Urging USDA to Declare Disaster for the State’s Ag Industry
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) led bipartisan members of the Florida congressional delegation in issuing a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack in support of Florida’s request to declare a Disaster for Florida counties that were impacted by Hurricane Ian, and to make assistance available to growers whose crops were damaged or …