By Clint Thompson Even in a year when hot and dry weather conditions prevailed across the Southeast region, spotted-wing drosophila was still a problem for blueberry producers. Ash Sial, University of Georgia entomologist, discusses the challenging characteristics of the spotted-wing drosophila and what growers should remember for future seasons. “This is the unique thing about this pest is that dry …
Heat’s Impact on Grape Production
By Clint Thompson The lingering heat wave sweltering the Southeast could impact grape production this season. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist Phil Brannen discussed the impact that temperatures approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit could have on grape production, especially the younger vines. “I suspect there’s a good bit of stress going on with the vines right now. Unfortunately, …
Charcoal Rot Showing Up in Cantaloupe
Charcoal rot was identified in a cantaloupe crop in South Carolina last week, according to The South Carolina Grower. The fungus responsible for the disease is Macrophomina phaseolina. It is a soil-borne fungus that survives as microsclerotia. Typically, the disease is more prevalent in hot, dry conditions, which has been the norm across the state in recent weeks. In cantaloupes, …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Weekly Crop Updates
Clemson Extension agents provide crop updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “It is hot and very, very dry in the Lowcountry. We desperately need some rain on the coast. Many irrigation ponds are at very low levels and may only have a …
UF/IFAS Begins Research to Update Best Management Practices Nutrient Recommendations
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) received $8.8 million to conduct new research that will provide farmers with new and improved recommendations for fertilization of key Florida crops. The funding, approved by the Florida Legislature, will be administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Farmers apply fertilizers to their crops within …
Florida Tomato Season Recap
By Frank Giles The Florida tomato season is in the books. We asked Michael Schadler, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, how the season went and what are the Exchange’s priorities heading into next year. Here’s what he had to say. How did the season go for your grower members? Schadler: From a production perspective, we had a …
Sneak Peek: July 2022 Specialty Crop Industry Magazine
The July issue of Specialty Crop Industry Magazine highlights the changing landscape in agriculture and the need for policy reform, specifically pertaining to increased imports. Zhengfei Guan, an associate professor, and Kuan-Ming Huang, a postdoctoral research associate, both at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, Florida, discusses …
Keeping Pecans Watered During Dry Weather
Temperatures may be high and dry conditions may be widespread across the Southeast, but pecan growers should not panic and apply too much water, according to the University of Georgia Extension pecan blog. Because pecan trees can adapt in extreme weather conditions, growers can continue on the normal recommended irrigation schedule and nuts will continue to size properly, says Lenny …
UF/IFAS Scientists Finding Grapes to Grow in Florida
Florida farmers and other businesspeople are bubbling with enthusiasm to make wine. There are about 40 wineries around Florida. As of 2017, growers in the Sunshine State were producing more than 1,500 acres of muscadine grapes. That’s a 74% increase in 10 years, and producers will be harvesting in July and August. To meet the increasing market for Florida-grown grapes, Ali Sarkhosh, …
Brix Addressed in Proposed U.S. Legislation
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott of Florida introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act. The legislation would direct the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the required Brix level of not-from-concentrate pasteurized orange juice from 10.5% to 10%.   U.S. Representatives Mario DÃaz-Balart, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Stephanie Murphy, Kat Cammack, Daniel Webster, Maria Elvira Salazar, Darren Soto, Al …