Harvests may be nearing an end for Florida’s blueberry producers, but management should continue during May. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) recommends that growers monitor for leaf diseases like rust, anthracnose, Septoria, target spot and Phyllosticta. Florida’s blueberry producers should continue with insecticide sprays for spotted wing drosophila to protect against any remaining ripe fruit …
Rural Stress Summit to Connect Georgia Farmers with Community Resources
Farm family health and wellness remain a priority for rural Georgia communities and are the focus of an upcoming free, one-day stress summit. The event, called “Stress on the Farm: Supporting Wellbeing of Georgia Farm Families,” is scheduled for May 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. Register at no cost by May …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update – 5/9/22 Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Spider mites in the area are increasing in number on a variety of crops including strawberries and watermelons. When choosing an insecticide always choose a specific miticide. …
Make Time for Time Management
By Tiffany Bailey As a young child, I vividly remember my father going to work nearly every single day of the year. He would head to the farm early and come home late. When he got home each evening, he was tired, yet he had a satisfied look on his face. I think that look came from him knowing that …
Summer Weed Management Tips
By Clint Thompson Successful weed management programs this summer involve an integrated approach. No longer can farmers rely on just herbicides to overcome all of their weed issues. Other components must factor into the program, says Nathan Boyd, associate center director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and …
John Chater, A Welcome Addition to the CREC Team
By Peter Chaires The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is firmly engaged in the fight against HLB in a range of scientific disciplines. These include entomology, plant improvement (scion and rootstock), gene editing, microbiology and cell science, soil and water research, pathology, root health, irrigation, nutrition and others. The recent hire of John Chater further …
Understanding the Citrus Research Order Vote
By Frank Giles This month, Florida growers will be receiving a ballot to vote on the Citrus Research Order. It is the mechanism that allows growers to tax their production up to 3 cents per box of fruit to fund research. The money raised through this box tax is how the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) is funded, along …
Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Lingering Impact on Farmers
By Clint Thompson The longer the conflict in the Ukraine lingers the added impact it will have on input costs farmers are forced to pay, mainly for fertilizer. Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), discusses the situation. “I think what this last year and the last couple of months in particular have pointed out, these are globally …
ABT Impact Minimal This Season
By Clint Thompson What was once a destructive pest of snap beans in South Florida during the 2019-20 season, Asian bean thrips’ (ABT) impact this season was almost non-existent. Now it is the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences’ responsibility to figure out why, says Anna Meszaros, Extension commercial horticulture agent in West Palm Beach. “At the …
Mite Pressure Varies Across Florida
Mite pressure is increasing in various fields across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Two-spotted spider mites have increased significantly on late-season tomatoes, eggplant and okra around Homestead, Florida. They are also impacting ornamental nursery and tropical fruit trees. Broad mites are also observed in corn, tomato, squash and okra. Broad mites have also been persistent …