According to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline, pepper weevils remain moderate to high in various vegetable crops across south Florida. Respondents along the east coast report that weevil populations are high around St. Lucie County. They are moderate at other locations. Populations remain a concern in Manatee and Hillsborough counties. Weevils are showing up in other locations around …
Pathway to a Sustainable Florida Citrus Industry Ahead
Learn why CRDF’s Rick Dantzler thinks the sector is nearing the point where things are positioned for sustainability and growth.
Minimal Diseases so far for Florida Strawberry Producers
By Clint Thompson The extended dry period in South Florida has been a boost for strawberry production. Natalia Peres, Professor of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, believes weather conditions have been favorable for strawberries early in the season and diseases have been minimal so far. “It’s been pretty quiet. We’re good, I …
New Cantaloupe Varieties Offer Sweet Options for Producers
By Clint Thompson Small melon producers in the southeast have a few options to choose from if they want to capitalize on new cantaloupe varieties, according to Joe Kemble, Alabama Extension vegetable specialist. “It’s one of those crops that we have a lot more potential with. It’s scattered through the state. Most growers, especially if they have roadside stands, all …
Heat Management Strategies for Tomatoes in High Tunnels
By Juan Carlos Diaz-Perez, Sudeep Bag and Tim Coolong Protected agriculture technologies such as high tunnels (HT) are increasing in popularity in the United States, particularly with small and organic growers. High tunnels, also known as hoop houses, typically have a pipe framework covered by a single-layer plastic film (4 or 6 mil thickness). In contrast to greenhouses, high tunnels …
HLB Quarantines Established in Multiple Alabama Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), is putting in place new quarantines for huanglongbing (HLB) or citrus greening disease. The quarantines are confined to areas in Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama. The action is necessary because HLB was detected in plant tissue samples …
Drought Conditions Persist in Southeast
Abnormally dry conditions are persisting across the Southeast, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The majority of Georgia is abnormally dry, with even a few counties in east-central Georgia experiencing moderately dry conditions. This includes Burke, Jefferson, Washington, Richmond, Glascock , McDuffie, Columbia, Wilkinson and Lincoln counties. Southeast Georgia counties have received sufficient rainfall. Abnormally dry conditions are being experienced …
ACES to Host Hemp Licensee Meetings
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) will host five meetings in January for licensed hemp producers in advance of the 2022 season. Growers can choose one meeting to attend based on scheduling and availability. These meetings will replace the one normal mandatory meeting held in previous years. These meetings will cover regulations from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries …
Pecan Prices Stay Steady; Demand High
Prices remain steady and demand remains high for pecans as the season nears an end in the southeast. Prices for lots in Georgia with less than 20,000 pounds, including truckloads: Native Seedlings, $0.75 per pound; Caddo, 52%-54% meat yield, $2.38-$2.39 per pound; Cape Fear, 56%-57% meat yield, $2.29-$2.36 per pound; Desirables, 50%-52% meat yield, $2.25-$2.35 per pound; Elliott, $1.25-$1.50; Excel, …
ADAI to Host Citrus Industry Meeting
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) will host a Citrus Industry meeting on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. at the ADAI auditorium in Montgomery, Ala. The in-person meeting will highlight developments from the citrus survey conducted by the department and the potential impact that citrus canker detections have for the industry in Alabama. The current status of …