By Clint Thompson Count Florida’s peaches among those crops impacted by the sub-freezing temperatures almost two weeks ago. The difference in the producers who protected their crop and those who did not was unmistakable, says Jose Chaparro, associate professor in the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). “I can tell you that anybody north of central …
Drought Conditions in Certain Areas in Southeast
By Clint Thompson Abnormally dry conditions continue to be isolated to certain parts of the Southeast, according to Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. The northern part of Florida is abnormally dry. These include counties as far west as Jefferson to Duval along the Atlantic coast and as far south as Marion and Citrus counties. Portions of a few …
Not So Sweet Forecast for Florida Oranges
The February citrus crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service showed a bitter forecast for Florida’s orange crop. Florida’s projected 2021–22 orange crop was reduced by 1 million boxes, to 43.5 million boxes in the forecast released on Wednesday, Feb. 9. The entire orange reduction was in the to-be-harvested Valencia crop, which was reduced …
U.S. Sugar Releases Second Annual ‘State of Our Air’ Report
Clewiston, FL – U.S. Sugar recently released air quality data from government and private sources showing the results of three years of air quality monitoring in the Glades farming communities. The latest report shows better than average air quality in the Glades. It also includes internal data collected by professional air monitoring experts on behalf of U.S. Sugar confirming the public air …
Georgia Economist: Farmers Will Get Through This
By Clint Thompson The great author Charles Dickens once wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” in his famous novel, A Tale of Two Cities. The current state of affairs can best be described as challenging times for Georgia’s specialty crop producers. Consider how input costs have skyrocketed since last spring; how labor availability …
Florida Blueberry Management: February Points of Emphasis
Blueberry management in Florida in February is critical with harvest season just around the corner. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) reminds producers of various tips to keep in mind this month. From a disease standpoint, growers need to monitor for botrytis and control when need. Farmers also need to apply fungicides in rotation for control …
Agricultural Exports Shattered Records in 2021
WASHINGTON – American agricultural export levels reached its highest annual export levels ever recorded in 2021, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced on Tuesday. The final 2021 trade data published by the Department of Commerce showed that exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18% and eclipsing the previous …
Georgia Commercial Apple Production Meeting Announcement
University of Georgia Extension is looking forward to assisting Georgia’s commercial apple growers as the season progresses. To help get prepare for another year, Gilmer County Extension will host the annual North Georgia Apple Production Meeting. The production meeting will be held on Friday, Feb. 11, at the Gilmer County Public Library in the downstairs meeting room from 10 a.m. …
Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates
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 Zack Snipes reports, “Now is the time for Lowcountry strawberry growers to give their plants the first shot of boron. Boron helps with both flower and fruit development. Growers can spray boron or inject via the drip …
Phytophthora Root Rot a Problem in Georgia Strawberries
By Clint Thompson Georgia strawberry producers may not have had to deal with much of Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot this year, but phytophthora root rot is a different story. “Right now, this year, I’ve seen quite a few samples with phytophthora come in, unfortunately,” said University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist Phil Brannen. Brannen discussed some of the possibilities …