South Florida vegetable growers should mark their calendars for Monday, July 11, as the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension will host a virtual meeting on fumigants and systemics. The vegetable growers meeting will be held from noon to 2 p.m. and includes presentations from various UF/IFAS specialists. Josh Freeman will discuss a systems approach …
Biopesticides (Seem to) Perform Poorly Against Black Spot on Kale
From Clemson Plant Pathologist Tony Keinath in The South Carolina Grower . As part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Transitions Program grant, we tested 10 biopesticides on organic kale ‘Oldenbor’ to determine if any product controlled Alternaria leaf spot, a.k.a. black spot on kale. None look promising. No biopesticides reduced black spot on kale compared to the non-treated …
NCDA&CS Finds Spotted Lanternfly in Forsyth County
RALEIGH – The North Carolina (N.C.) Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed the first established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in the state. Initial surveys indicate the known distribution of the pest is within a 5-mile radius in Forsyth County near Interstate 40 in Kernersville, extending to the Guilford County line. Survey efforts are ongoing. “We have …
Combining IPCs and Brassinosteroids to Protect Young Citrus Trees
Research studies show that about 60% of Florida citrus trees are infected by HLB disease within six months of planting. By one year, 100% of citrus trees are infected. For that reason, the use of individual protective covers (IPCs) has become very popular to protect young citrus trees from the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The covers have proven to be effective in …
Oriental Fruit Flies Found in Florida
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has confirmed the presence of Oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, in Pinellas County. Two male flies were captured during routine trapping in a methyl eugenol-baited fruit fly detection trap in St. Petersburg on May 17. Expanded intensified delimitation trapping over the 80-square-mile surrounding area resulted in two additional males being captured in traps …
Dry Conditions Stretch, Intensify Across Southeast
The lingering drought continues to spread and intensify across the Southeast. Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows dry conditions stretch throughout Georgia. Most of the state is now classified as moderately dry, though nearly all of the state is at least abnormally dry. The moderately dry conditions stretch as far south as Mitchell, Colquitt and Cook counties and …
$4 Billion in Emergency Relief Program Payments
Deadline to Submit Applications is Friday, July 22 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that to date, agricultural producers have already received more than $4 billion through the Emergency Relief Program (ERP), representing approximately 67% of the more than $6 billion projected to be paid through this first phase of the program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed out pre-filled …
Weather Conditions ‘Not Ideal’ for Alabama Hemp
By Clint Thompson Alabama hemp production wilted under the stress of prolonged dry conditions combined with extremely high temperatures. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said the “timing wasn’t ideal.” Plants were being put into the ground right as weather conditions worsened across the region. “There’s been quite a bit of plant mortality, transplant shock, that sort …
Relief in the Forecast? Georgia Specialty Crop Producers Thirsty for Rainfall
By Clint Thompson It has been a hot and dry summer so far for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Multiple areas are either abnormally dry, moderately dry or severely dry, according to the most recent release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, provided good news for specialty crop producers, though. “I’m pleased to say …
Whiteflies Non-Existent So Far This Season
By Clint Thompson Insect pests normally thrive in hot and dry weather conditions. But whiteflies have yet to flourish this year, though conditions are ripe for infestations to take off, according to Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist. “Surprisingly, we have not had whiteflies yet. The hot and dry weather is perfect for them, but apparently, we …