Trends in Florida Tomato Production and Markets

Web AdminFlorida, Tomatoes

By Kimberly L. Morgan, Xiuri Cui and Zhengfei Guan Driven by consumer demand, the fresh tomato supply-chain network includes product harvested at different maturity stages, resulting in a unique marketing process distinguishable from other produce. Fresh tomatoes are typically marketed either through retail or foodservice channels. From farm to fork, the supply chain is divided into stages with different entities: …

‘Miserable Prices’ for Southeast Pecans

Web AdminPecan

By Clint Thompson What started as a promising marketing season for pecans has deteriorated rapidly. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Extension pecan specialist, said Southeast producers are encountering “miserable prices.” It is discouraging news for a crop that is expected to produce high yields this year. “They’re miserable prices. Nobody’s got a really good answer as to why they’re coming …

AFBF Sends Letter to President Biden About High Diesel Prices

Web AdminDiesel

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Biden on Friday, calling on the administration to bring more domestic supply online. It would reduce costs to all Americans. “Our nation’s food supply is driven by diesel,” President Duvall said in the letter. “Every input that arrives on our farms and ranches is transported by a …

Dry Weather Aids North Florida/South Georgia Tomato Production

Web AdminTomatoes

By Clint Thompson The prolonged dry period sweeping across the Southeast benefited tomato producers in the North Florida/South Georgia region. Growers welcomed the dry conditions that helped save the crop from bacterial spot disease. Josh Freeman, an agronomist and regional manager with TriEst Ag Group, discussed the impact that minimal rainfall had on tomato production. “Everything started off really bad. …

N.C. Forest Service Offers Discount on Tree Seedling Sales for Military Members Through November

Web AdminNorth Carolina

RALEIGH– To show its appreciation for the service and sacrifice made by veterans and current military members, the North Carolina (N.C.) Forest Service is offering a 25% discount on tree seedling orders placed by active, honorably discharged or retired military personnel during November. The discount applies to the first $500 off all new orders, up to a $125 discount. “North …

Drought Monitor: Dry Conditions Worsening Across Southeast

Web AdminWeather

The drought is intensifying across southeastern states, specifically Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Severe dry conditions are being observed in the Florida Panhandle, southern Alabama and North Georgia areas, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Moderate dry conditions in South Alabama stretch from Mobile and Baldwin counties in the Gulf of Mexico to Henry and Houston counties in Southeast Alabama. Moderate …

What’s Happening? Clemson Extension Agents Provide Updates on Crops

Web AdminSouth Carolina

Weekly Field Update – 11/7/22 Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Strawberry plants have arrived in the last two weeks and are in the ground. Overall, plantings look good. One thing to consider is using overhead irrigation to …

Apps Ease the Task of Fertigation for Growers

Web AdminResearch, Technology

By Denise Attaway The days of manually calculating numbers on spreadsheets to determine how much liquid fertilizer should be used to fertigate crops may soon be gone, thanks to new web-based calculators (apps) from Clemson University. The Clemson Center Pivot Fertigation Calculator and Clemson Drip Fertigation Calculator are free apps created by the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service precision agriculture team …

Whitefly Pressure Varies Across Florida

Web AdminPests

Whitefly pressure in Southwest Florida has increased in previous weeks as rains have decreased, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. However, levels are about the same for this time of year. Some young fields are being flooded with adults from neighboring mature fields, and management is necessary. There is moderate pressure on melons, while low to moderate …