This year, AgNet Media is expanding the Florida Grower Citrus Show to include vegetable seminars. Scott Adkins, U.S. Department of Agriculture research leader, will be talking about what’s new in vegetable viruses and detector dogs during the afternoon breakout session. Adkins will discuss new and emerging problems that come with Florida’s sub-tropical climate. His talk will highlight a new way …
Drought Expanding Across Southeast
Dry conditions are expanding across the Southeast region. Abnormally dry conditions are widespread across southern Alabama. Southwest and southeast Georgia are anywhere from abnormally dry to moderately dry, while southern Florida is either moderately dry or severely dry, according to last Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Alabama’s dry conditions start as far west as Washington and Mobile counties …
April Crop Insurance Deadline Approaches
The final date to apply for Florida citrus tree and fruit crop insurance coverage for the 2023 crop year is April 15. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the April 15 to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk …
UF/IFAS Receiving Favorable Comments with Blueberry Growers Guide App
By Clint Thompson The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Blueberry Growers Guide phone app has drawn rave reviews from the people who need it the most – Florida’s blueberry producers. Doug Phillips, UF/IFAS blueberry Extension coordinator at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed the app, which started a couple of years ago. “I …
Alabama Hemp Production: Active Group of About 75 Growers
By Clint Thompson Alabama’s hemp meetings this winter generated interest among returning growers and those hoping to produce the crop for the first time. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, discussed the state of the industry, which attracted between 10 and 30 growers at five different meetings in January. “We definitely have a much smaller but more …
North Florida Melon Producers Escape Bullet From Recent Frost Events
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon plants appear to have survived frost events in the past two weeks. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, described what growers are observing in the fields. “I think so far, the frost last week, the one that probably touched up …
What to Expect? Pecan Beginners Class Scheduled for March 28
By Clint Thompson Interest in producing pecans in the Southeast has not waned; even with prices plummeting in recent years and input costs skyrocketing. Growers are still establishing orchards, and those interested in producing trees are signing up for the pecan beginner’s class, says Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. “We still have a fair amount of …
Harvest Nears for Vidalia Onion Crop
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion producers are getting closer to harvesting this year’s crop. Cliff Riner, Vidalia Onion Committee chairman, discussed the expected timeframe growers have in preparing to pick this year’s onions. “Most everything’s going to be the end of March and first of April to start. We’ll probably see a slight gap after the very first ones …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Midlands Sarah Scott reports, “Temperatures dropped below freezing along the Ridge two mornings last week. We’ve been checking peaches over the past few days to assess the damage. Right now, it seems a lot …
Thrips Parvispinus Levels Range Throughout South Florida
Thrips parvispinus levels in bell pepper fields range from low to high along the east coast, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Infestation levels depend on neighboring crop conditions, as well. Populations are still high in certain areas, although not as high as originally seen last fall at the location of first detection. As many as eight adults …