By Frank Giles While the land-grant universities come to mind first when it comes to agriculture, other schools are serving the farm sector as well. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) in Fort Myers is one of those schools and is focused on the business side of agriculture. FGCU has its agricultural credentials based on a farming enterprise with deep roots …
Thrips Pressure Low in Most Florida Crops
Thrips pressure is varying across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low thrips pressure is observed in peppers in central Florida. Pressure is also low in pepper and other vegetables in southwest Florida. Scouted thrips are presumed to be Florida flower thrips, as damage is not apparent. Thrips are at low levels in eggplants in Homestead, Florida, …
Florida Farmer Testimonial: I Think Trade is Probably Our Biggest Issue
By Clint Thompson The constant influx of foreign imports on top of Florida vegetables has impacted one producer in how he farms. Chuck Obern with C&B Farms, located south of Clewiston, has discontinued planting certain vegetables he has grown for years. He produced peppers and eggplant for 30 years. But he couldn’t compete with rising imports, so he stopped. “I …
Thrips Pressure Varies Across Florida
Thrips Pressure Varies Across Central, South Florida Thrips pressure is varying across Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Low thrips pressure is observed in peppers in central Florida. Pressure is also low in pepper and other vegetables in southwest Florida. Scouted thrips are presumed to be Florida flower thrips, as damage is not apparent. Thrips are …
Biden Administration Urged to Increase Domestic Diesel Production
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Biden on Friday, calling on the administration to bring more domestic supply online. It would reduce costs to all Americans. “Our nation’s food supply is driven by diesel,” President Duvall said in the letter. “Every input that arrives on our farms and ranches is transported by a diesel engine, whether …
Registration Ongoing for AFVGA Annual Conference
Alabama specialty crop producers are reminded that registration is ongoing for the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA) annual conference and trade show, scheduled for Feb. 9-10, 2023, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The event will include presentations from Alabama Extension specialists, researchers from the University of Georgia and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Topics will …
Hemp License Applications Available from Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
Alabama farmers interested in producing hemp have until Nov. 30 to apply for an industrial hemp license from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). Applications will only be accepted online through the Kelly Registration System (KRS) at https://agi.alabama.gov/hemp/formsandapplications/. The Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975 in 2016, tasking …
Georgia Hemp Applications Underway for Current Growers, Permitted Processors
By Clint Thompson Georgia hemp producers should be mindful that as of Nov. 1, renewal applications are open for currently licensed growers and permitted processors. The 2022 applications will close on Tuesday, Nov. 15. That is the final day to apply for a 2022 grower license or processor permit. The 2023 window will reopen to new applicants on Jan. 1, …
Trends in Florida Tomato Production and Markets
By Kimberly L. Morgan, Xiuri Cui and Zhengfei Guan Driven by consumer demand, the fresh tomato supply-chain network includes product harvested at different maturity stages, resulting in a unique marketing process distinguishable from other produce. Fresh tomatoes are typically marketed either through retail or foodservice channels. From farm to fork, the supply chain is divided into stages with different entities: …
‘Miserable Prices’ for Southeast Pecans
By Clint Thompson What started as a promising marketing season for pecans has deteriorated rapidly. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, said Southeast producers are encountering “miserable prices.” It is discouraging news for a crop that is expected to produce high yields this year. “They’re miserable prices. Nobody’s got a really good answer as to why they’re coming …