By Clint Thompson Peach production in Florida is unpredictable this year. The inconsistent weather conditions are a key reason why, explains Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “The way that we accumulated chilling this year was really bizarre. I can tell you that in the Umatilla area that they’re going …
ABT Populations Low Across South Florida
Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations remain low across the South Florida region, according to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). Scouting detected ABTs at a rate of less than 0.1 per bloom across most of the monitored fields. The one exception was eastern Immokalee, where populations reached 0.5 per bloom late in the crop cycle. …
North Florida Watermelon Plants Rebounding from Freeze
By Clint Thompson The majority of North Florida’s watermelon plants have rebounded from the cold temperatures during the weekend of March 12. Damaged plants are beginning to show new growth and make a significant recovery in a week and a half since temperatures dropped below freezing. Growers who started planting earlier in mid-to-late February are seeing the biggest difference, says …
N.C. Tomato Growers Association Offering Scholarship
The North Carolina (N.C.) Tomato Growers Association is offering a $1,000 merit/need-based scholarship for the 2022-2023 academic year. Any North Carolina resident who pursues a horticulture or agribusiness undergraduate or graduate degree at a four-year North Carolina college or university is eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting an application is May 31. The award will be based on a …
Oversaturated Soils Delaying Specialty Crop Plantings in North Alabama
By Clint Thompson Persistent rains and oversaturated soils have delayed plantings for some specialty crops in North Alabama. “A lot of rainfall is delaying planting dates. Like (Monday), I visited a couple of growers in central to North Alabama and they were saying, ‘We have all of our seedlings ready for transplants, but our soils are too wet,” said Andre …
USDA Disaster Declaration for Florida Growers Impacted by Freeze
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) disaster designation for 17 counties and 10 contiguous counties impacted by the freezing temperatures that occurred in late January. View the USDA’s approval letter here. “With the approval of our request for a disaster declaration, farmers in Florida have resources available to them …
Georgia Apple Growers Vote to Continue Apple Commission Assessments
Earlier this year, Georgia apple producers voted to continue the Georgia Apple Commission Marketing Order for an additional three years. The new marketing order will allow the assessment rate to be changed from the current two cents per marketed bushel to a range of two to four cents per marketed bushel. The final rate will be established by the five …
Florida Funding: Legislature Provides Boost for UF/IFAS Research
By Clint Thompson The Florida state legislature’s funding for research being conducted at University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will continue to help specialty crop producers remain sustainable. The highlight was the $8.7 million devoted to the nutrient application rate for citrus, corn, green beans, tomatoes and potatoes with the intent of adding additional crops. John …
Georgia Wine, Grape Producers Fail to Approve Marketing Order
Georgia wine producers voted against implementing a marketing order that would have created an assessment on all taxable wine produced by licensed Georgia wineries. Of the 58% of the eligible growers that voted between February 8 and March 9, only 38% voted in favor of the marketing order. The order would have allowed the Georgia Wine & Grape Commission to …
What’s Happening: Clemson Extension Agents Provide 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. Weekly Field Update Coastal Region Rob Last reports, “Starting with strawberries, spider mites are increasing in the area with eggs and adults warranting treatment. Strawberry crops are very susceptible to mite damage at the moment. Remember …