By Clint Thompson Registration is still ongoing for the upcoming Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association annual conference and trade show, scheduled for Feb. 9-10 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Breakout sessions will cover both days and include presentations from research specialists at the University of Georgia, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Auburn University, U.S. Department of …
Vidalia Plants Significantly Damaged by Christmas Freeze
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion plants suffered significant damage during the Christmas freeze event. As much as 30% in some fields were impacted by consecutive days of sub-freezing temperatures, according to Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. ac “We know we’ve got significant stand loss, in …
Sneak Peek: February 2023 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
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,” …