According to the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations continue to vary throughout south Florida. The highest populations were detected in south Hendry County, though populations were very low in the Palm Beach County region. In south Hendry County, infestations were numbered at 0.2 adult per bloom. Larvae have been observed at …
Anthracnose Awareness: UF/IFAS Encourages Growers to be Wary of Disease
By Clint Thompson Incidences of anthracnose are on the rise in cucurbits in the Southeast. They’ve already impacted production in Georgia. Experts in Florida want producers to be wary of the disease. While this past season’s dry spring spared Florida production, anthracnose is still a concern for Gary Vallad, professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida Institute of …
Updated Recommendations for Peach Orchard Establishment
By Dario J. Chavez The southeastern United States possesses a unique environment in terms of variable soil and humid climate. Although humid, there has been incidences of several droughts throughout the years. A lack of proper irrigation scheduling under these circumstances can result in huge losses in production and in the state’s economy. Since 2000, the Southeast has had five …
Weekly Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Information
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Pest and disease activity in the area remain low with overall good development of crops. Strawberries continue to develop well with very few issues. Given the misty mornings we are seeing, …
NCDA&CS Announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Recipients
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that 16 specialty crop projects have received more than $2.9 million in USDA grants in 2021. Projects included new research on reusing old greenhouse structures for strawberry production, how to limit insecticide usage that can harm pollinators, addressing health and safety concerns for farm workers, and consumer awareness campaigns …
AFVGA Executive Director: Address Input Needs as Early as Possible
By Clint Thompson Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), implores his farmers to be proactive instead of being reactive with adjusting to the current surge in input costs. “Our overall message is to make sure you’re addressing your input needs as early as possible to get ahead of any kind of delays that …
North Florida Watermelon Growers Depending on Strong ’22 Market
By Clint Thompson There’s never been a question of North Florida watermelon growers being able to produce a crop. The question always lies with what the market is when that crop is ready for harvest. Maybe more than any other year, that market needs to be productive for farmers in 2022, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food …
Latest Florida Citrus Survey Reveals a Year in Flux
Results show HLB and pandemic-related issues bring challenges, but growers persist.
Analyzing Anthracnose: Cucurbit Disease a Major Issue for Growers
By Clint Thompson One disease that Southeast cucurbit producers need to have on their radar this upcoming season is anthracnose. It is rapidly becoming a major issue for growers, says Bhabesh Dutta, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable plant pathologist. “It’s now a major problem after Pcap (phytophthora capsici). It has been an emerging issue in our cucurbits including …
Vidalia Onion Farmers Ahead of Planting Schedule
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s Vidalia onion farmers are ahead of schedule in planting next year’s crop. The dry weather in the southeastern part of the state is a reason why, says Chris Tyson, University of Georgia Extension Area Onion Agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia. “In a typical year, we’ll usually start around the …