By Clint Thompson The final rule regarding the ban of chlorpyrifos by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) goes into effect on Friday, Oct. 29. However, Stormy Sparks, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension vegetable entomologist, reminds vegetable and specialty crop producers that the tolerances do not expire until Feb. 28. “(Feb. 28) is the date you lose the tolerance, but if …
Increased Blueberry Demand Helping Florida Growers
By Clint Thompson The increased marketing and promotion effort from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has helped offset some of the lost market share by Florida growers due to increased trade from Mexico. “The Florida blueberry industry has been through the ups and downs that the rest of agriculture in the U.S. has been through. One of the most …
Speeding up the Development of Novel Crops
By Bryan Leong Humans derive most of their calories from 15 crop species, including wheat, corn, rice and potatoes. These crops were derived from wild species through a process called domestication. Plants with desirable traits were propagated in preference to others for hundreds or thousands of years to give us today’s food crops. This process has allowed agriculture to feed …
UF Research: Bags on Peaches Help Keep Pests, Diseases Away
Peaches are popular, especially in the Southeast, with annual national production of about 806,000 tons. Growers can help keep pests and diseases from damaging the fruit by placing bags around individual peaches, University of Florida researchers say. David Campbell, a UF/IFAS post-doctoral researcher, led new research, funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant. UF/IFAS …
Whitefly Management Key for Alabama Producers
Alabama Extension reminds vegetable producers to be on the lookout for silverleaf whiteflies this fall. The pests have become more common during the fall in the Southeast. An increase in activity has led to a reduction in yields for vegetable crops. These include yellow squash, zucchini, tomato, cucumber and snap beans. Costly Impact Whiteflies feed on the leaves but also …
Weekly Updates: Clemson Extension Agents Discuss Various Crops
Clemson Extension agents provide updates in the The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Zack Snipes reports, “We had a nice week of weather last week and are getting some rain this morning (10/25). Strawberry plants are arriving, and growers will be busy putting in plants this week. …
Change in Leadership: Hall to Step Down as GFVGA Executive Director
Starting Dec. 1, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) will have a new leader. Charles Hall announced his intention to move into a semi-retirement role, beginning Dec. 1. Chris Butts, GFVGA Director of Public Affairs, has been named the association’s next executive vice president. Hall spent 25 years as the executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable …
Alabama Extension Agent to Strawberry Producers: Stay on Schedule
By Clint Thompson North Alabama strawberry producers need to stay vigilant in their management strategies this fall and winter. It will help protect against potential stress that might arise, which could lead to vulnerability against new diseases like Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot. That’s the message that Eric Schavey, Regional Extension agent in Northeast Alabama “The talk has been that I’ve been …
CUPS Not for All Citrus Producers
By Clint Thompson One of the unique ways of managing citrus greening disease developed by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers is not for all producers. The citrus under protective systems (CUPS) is just too expensive for all growers to take advantage of, says Fred Gmitter, a University of Florida citrus breeder. “It’s an extremely expensive …
UF/IFAS Vegetable Production Handbook in Stock for Florida Producers
The University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) 2021-2022 vegetable production handbook is in stock for Florida producers. The 19-chapter handbook, which is updated every production season, provides guidance on vegetable production throughout Florida. The handbook also includes extensive pesticide tables for each crop that is covered. Growers are asked to contact Gene McAvoy, Regional Vegetable Extension …