By Natalie Gupton Whether you are a conventional or organic grower, pesticide use is fully engrained in modern farming techniques. Technological advances have led to more enhanced chemistry, precisely targeting devastating diseases and pests. However, if not handled properly, pesticides pose significant risks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 10,000 to 20,000 physician-diagnosed pesticide poisonings occur every year among …
Peach Production: San Jose Scale Populations Down
By Clint Thompson Normally a persistent pest of peaches, San Jose scale has not been as impactful this year for growers in the Southeast. Brett Blaauw, assistant professor at the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said this is normally the peak time for scale pressure to increase in peach orchards. That has not been the …
UF/IFAS Scientist: Timing of Pre-Emergent Herbicide Applications is Key
By Clint Thompson Timing is everything for specialty crop growers implementing a pre-emergent herbicide program in their vegetable crops. Ramdas Kanissery, weed scientist and assistant professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), elaborates on the importance of ensuring the herbicide applications are made on time. “We have some herbicides available that can be used …
Georgia Citrus Growers: Be on the Lookout for Lebbeck Mealybug
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) specialists are alerting Georgia citrus growers about an invasive pest that’s impacting Florida’s crop. Lebbeck mealybugs have yet to navigate their way to Georgia. But it is only a matter of time, says Lauren Diepenbrock, UF/IFAS assistant professor and entomologist. “It’ll get up to Georgia probably. We’re doing our best …
UGA Pecan Specialist: Growers Need a Good Year
By Clint Thompson Pecan producers desperately need a productive season in yields and prices following years of frustration on the heels of Hurricane Michael in 2018. The growers could get their wish. Farmers could see high yields combined with favorable market prices, which should add up to the best season in years for producers. “This year it looks like we’ve …
Dry Conditions Remain Across Southeast
By Clint Thompson Rainfall has helped alleviate some of the dry weather being felt in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, though abnormally dry conditions remain in multiple counties, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Georgia’s dry conditions are now spread in various counties throughout the state. The driest part of the state remains in Southeast Georgia where multiple counties are abnormally …
Scouting Below the Ground Critical in Florida Citrus
By Frank Giles Florida citrus growers faced another challenging season in 2022. Continuing impacts from HLB and inflated input prices forced some growers to scale back their production programs. According to Kendra McCorkle, an agronomic service representative for Syngenta, some growers had to make hard economic decisions. “This past season with spikes (in expenses) across everything, especially fertilizer and fuel, …
Bill to Prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from Purchasing American Land
Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) introduced the Securing America’s Land from Foreign Interference Act earlier this month to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing any land in the United States. Text of the bill may be found here. “Chinese investments in American farmland put our food security at risk and provide opportunities for …
Peach Season Concludes in Georgia
By Clint Thompson Another peach season is in the books for most Georgia producers. After the late-season freeze event on March 13, growers were fortunate just to have a crop this year. Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties, discussed how fortunate farmers were to have peaches at all when …
UF/IFAS Researchers Discover Genes Responsible for Flavor Compounds in Strawberries
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) scientists have found the genes behind several aromatic chemicals that enhance the strawberry’s taste. These findings will help UF/IFAS researchers Vance Whitaker and Seonghee Lee as they study the sources of the unique aroma in strawberries. The genes that control aroma and flavor are connected. “Finding the sources of a …