By Frank Giles Jeb Smith’s agricultural roots run deep in Florida. He is a fifth-generation farmer born and raised in St. Johns County. He lives on the same property his great, great grandfather farmed in Hastings, Florida. The farm was designated a Century Pioneer Family Farm by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in March of this …
UF/IFAS to Host Annual Farm Safety Day
The 31st annual Southwest Florida Farm Safety Day is scheduled for Friday, May 6 and Saturday, May 7 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, Florida. The educational event is designed to emphasize the importance of farm and equipment safety. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 22. …
Freeze Event was ‘Gruesome’ for Blueberries
By Clint Thompson The freeze event during the March 12-13 weekend wiped out at least half of Georgia’s blueberry crop this season, according to early estimates. More than 54 million pounds of blueberries were lost when temperatures dropped into the 20s on that fateful Sunday morning. Temperatures were as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit in Alma, Georgia on March 13, …
Weed Management Key to Grape Root Borer Control
By Clint Thompson A management practice as simple as weed control can help grape producers reduce grape root borer populations. The grape root borer is an annual pest that can devastate a grape crop. Its larvae feed on the roots of grape vines. They have a two-year life cycle and will feed underground on the roots for nearly 22 months. …
Weather Impacting Vidalia Onion Quality?
By Clint Thompson Vidalia onion harvests have begun in Southeast Georgia. Early returns are positive despite changing weather patterns over the past month, says one Georgia farmer. “Overall, the quality looks like it’s going to be fair quality,” said producer Aries Haygood. “These changes in these weather patterns the last three or four weeks has got us a little bit …
Rainfall Creates Planting Delays in Alabama
By Clint Thompson Increased rainfall last week in Alabama created planting delays in some specialty crops, says Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist. Planting delays are especially true with hemp and sweet corn. “We’re still on the early side of (hemp) planting, so I don’t think it’s going to affect too many growers. But in terms of …
Early Harvest Returns: Florida’s Blueberry Growers Off to Strong Start
By Clint Thompson Florida’s blueberry growers are excited about the potential of this year’s harvests, which are continuing across the state. That’s the vibe being felt among producers, says Doug Phillips, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) blueberry Extension coordinator. “A lot of fruit has come out already, particularly in the southern part of the state. …
Improved Prices for Florida Tomatoes
By Clint Thompson The prolonged period of decreased prices for Florida tomatoes may be nearing an end. Growers should be encouraged by an uptick in prices in recent weeks. Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee and executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Exchange, describes the change in momentum that has shifted in producers’ favor. “A month ago, …
Growing Matters: Implementing Pollinator Protection Practices
The 2022 BeSure campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition is once again helping to support the implementation of practices focused on pollinator protection. “Pollinators have obviously taken a lead in the industry and how we can protect and steward that resource. This campaign is looking at how can we promote awareness for applications and protect pollinator safety out there,” said Jeff Marvin, …
New Viruses to Watch for in Watermelon and Other Cucurbits
By Pamela D. Roberts Whitefly-transmitted viruses are the major disease problem for watermelons grown in South Florida. For the past few decades, whitefly-transmitted viruses have included squash vein yellowing virus (SqVYV), cucurbit leaf crumple virus (CuLCrV) and cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV). A HISTORY OF VIRUSESAlthough SqVYV was first identified from squash in Florida in 2005, it had most likely been …