 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
By Clint Thompson North Florida watermelon growers should mark their calendars for Thursday, Dec. 4 for the annual Suwanee Valley Watermelon Institute. Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, talked about the upcoming meeting, scheduled to take place in Fanning Springs, Florida. “The first Thursday in December we’ll …
Reports of Choanephora Rot in South Florida vegetable crops range from medium to low populations, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. In Southwest Florida, crop scouts report Choanephora in multiple pepper fields with low incidences, typical for the current hot fall weather. However, some fields have experienced significant infections leading to plant damage. In fields in the …
By Clint Thompson Christmas trees were picked early this year at some farms across the Southeast. That means homeowners have extra time to take care of their trees, which need special attention once they have been plucked from the farm. Steve Mannhard, with Fish River Farms in Baldwin County, Alabama, discussed Christmas tree management after advising a fellow homeowner. “If …
By Clint Thompson The annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference will have a different look next year that’s sure to appeal to attendees from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and the Carolinas. Renovations have been completed at the Savannah Convention Center, the site of next year’s event, scheduled for Jan. 8-10. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable …
By Clint Thompson The lack of tropical systems this summer and early fall contributed to extreme and exceptional drought designations across some areas in the Southeast. Pam Knox, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension agricultural climatologist, highlighted the current drought period that includes exceptional drought areas in South Georgia and North Florida. “It was pretty wet early in the growing season …
By Frank Giles When Federico Boscolo arrived in North Florida to establish and operate a new leafy greens farm, the concept of 100-year storms was not burned into his mind or vocabulary. That changed in 2017 when a nearly decade-long stretch of quiet hurricane seasons ended with Hurricane Irma. Boscolo’s family hails from Italy, where their company, Cultiva, is a …
A lack of adequate soil moisture could make an already challenging situation for Florida citrus growers worse. It is imperative that producers keep applying irrigation amid any prolonged dry period, says Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus agent. Oswalt noted that many citrus-producing regions in Florida have had little, if any, rain in …
By Clint Thompson Thanksgiving Day feasts across the Southeast this week means people are consuming plenty of delicious foods like turkey, ham, fruits and vegetables. While food safety is essential Thanksgiving Day, it is also important for those leftovers and how long people can wait before consuming them. Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the University of Florida Institute …
By Clint Thompson Thanksgiving is a time for food, family and fellowship. Getting sick is never part of the equation this time of year. That is why food safety should be prioritized. More food is being prepared for more people, emphasizes Keith Schneider, a food safety professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) food …
A recent tour of Brazilian citrus provided Georgia growers with valuable information on how to capitalize on production amid huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and owner of JoNina Farm, was one of seven producers who attended the week-long tour this fall. One of the main observations was Brazil’s strong production despite the prevalence …
