By Clint Thompson Georgia’s onion crop can benefit from additional calcium applications. That’s the messaged relayed by Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. Coolong presented information during a recent UGA Extension Vidalia Onion meeting. Since Georgia’s onion crop is grown on sandy soils, calcium can be at lower levels than they …
Artificial Intelligence: Could Be Secret Weapon for Florida Tomato Producers
By Clint Thompson The Florida tomato industry struggles to stay afloat amid rising imports and a decreasing labor force. Artificial iIntelligence (AI) may be the secret weapon to help Florida growers combat these significant challenges, says Nathan Boyd, Associate Center Director of the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center and Professor of Horticulture and Weed Science. “Production wise, it’s …
Wet Weather: Central Alabama Having Increased Plant Disease Pressure
By Clint Thompson Like other areas in the Southeast, central Alabama was not immune to the impact felt from a saturated summer. According to David Lawrence, regional Extension agent for commercial horticulture in middle Alabama, the wet weather led to disease issues in multiple crops. “We saw a lot of bacterial spot on peaches this year, a lot more than …
Rubio Blasts White House for Ignoring Harm to Fruit, Vegetable Producers
Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement after White House Director of the National Economic Council, Brian Deese, touted artificially low fruit and vegetable prices that harm American growers: “In an effort to defend the White House from criticism over the impacts of historic and worsening inflation, President Biden’s top economic advisor shockingly welcomed artificially low …
Track the Journey From Citrus Seed To Growing Success
See how the Florida Citrus Research Foundation continues its support of A.H. Whitmore Foundation seed source block.
Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference Returning to In-Person Format
By Clint Thompson It is never too early to start thinking about the upcoming Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, scheduled for Jan. 6-9, 2022, in Savannah, Georgia; especially since it will be an in-person event next year. The annual meeting was held virtually this past January due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, Charles Hall, executive director of the …
Tomato Research: UF Scientist Hoping to Improve Crop’s Production, Size
Florida growers yielded 606 million pounds of fresh-market tomatoes and $463 million of revenue last year. That is tremendous success, though competition from Mexico continues to put pressure on the state’s producers. That’s why University of Florida scientist Tong Geon Lee spends most of his research time in the lab and fields looking for the right combination of genes. He …
Registration Underway for Florida Ag Expo
By Clint Thompson Registration is underway for this year’s Florida Ag Expo, scheduled for Nov. 18 at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC) in Wimauma, Florida. Florida Ag Expo is a partnership between AgNet Media, Inc. and the UF/IFAS. Vegetable and specialty crop producers interested in attending can …
New Death Tax Would Squeeze the Life Out of Florida Citrus Growers
Ag industry stakeholders on alert as proposed hikes set to stymie production and progress.
Tomato Industry Leader Optimistic Despite Recent Challenges
By Clint Thompson Southeast tomato producers have encountered various challenges recently. Between rising imports and competition with Mexico, increasing labor concerns and the impact of COVID-19 on the food service sector, the tomato industry struggles to stay afloat. But industry leaders remain optimistic that the industry has a brighter future. Just ask Michael Schadler, manager of the Florida Tomato Committee …