By Clint Thompson Students interested in earning a Ph.D. in plant breeding can now turn to the University of Florida/IFAS as their collegiate home. The Florida Board of Governors granted approval to the UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to start a Ph.D. Plant Breeding program, which will begin in August. “We certainly have had a long history of …
Final Citrus Forecast Released
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its final citrus production forecast on Monday. The 2020-2021 Florida orange forecast is 52.8 million boxes, edged out by California’s 54.5 million boxes. Texas oranges remained at 1.05 million boxes. Click on citrusindustry.net to see about in-depth forecasts for oranges, grapefruit, lemons and tangerines. The first forecast of the 2021-2022 season will be released …
Making Strides in Alabama
By Hunter McBrayer What a time to be in the fruit and vegetable production industry! We have had an incredible 16 months in Alabama since the coronavirus pandemic began, and I am hopeful this trend continues. Before we look ahead, let’s look at the industry across Alabama. Alabama’s fruit and vegetable industry is unlike many others in the Southeast. We …
Cover Crops: Benefit Now and in the Future
By Clint Thompson Most South Florida vegetable and specialty crop producers don’t utilize cover crops during the summer. University of Florida/IFAS research might change that philosophy in the future. Phillip Williams, an assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, has a year and a half of research data that point to multiple advantages that cover crops …
UF/IFAS Appoints Rechcigl as Director of Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center
DAVIE, Fla. – The University of Florida’s Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center (UF/IFAS FLREC) has a new director. Jack Rechcigl was appointed the FLREC director effective July 8. “I am excited to be the new director and look forward to working with the amazing faculty and staff and continue to make this a world-renown research center focusing on …
Elsa Effects: Clemson Extension Agents Provide Following Tropical Storm
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Weekly Field Update/7-12-21 Coastal Rob Last reports, “Crops are generally coming to market with good quality from cucurbits through corn, tomatoes and peppers. Be on your guard for foliar diseases, given the temperatures and humidity. There are …
How the Next Generation of Citrus Variety Development Is Growing Forward
Amid the ongoing challenges from HLB, there is an increasing demand for more rootstock and scion field trials.
Weather Preventing North Alabama Producers from Applying Needed Sprays
By Clint Thompson Sunny days are few and far between this summer for North Alabama vegetable and specialty crop producers. The persistent rainfall and cloudy weather have hindered production, says Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama. “The impact is we’re not able to get in the field to spray. That’s been our main issue,” Schavey said. “I’m seeing …
South Georgia Farmers Feeling Impact of Rainy, Cloudy Conditions
By Clint Thompson South Georgia rains have been frequent this summer, and it is having an impact on some vegetable operations in the region. “It’s been devastating,” said Bill Brim, part owner of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia. “We get showers every day. You can’t pick. It just stays wet all the day. (Thursday) was the first sunshine we’ve …
On Alert: Recent Rains Increasing Disease Pressure in Alabama Vegetables
By Clint Thompson Alabama vegetable producers need to stay vigilant with their fungicide spray programs. With the wet summer across the state, disease pressure is building in vegetable crops, said Ed Sikora, professor and Extension plant pathologist in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at Auburn University. “We’ve been getting hit hard with bacterial spot (in tomatoes) as you …