(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District
Start Work Now on Worker Protection for Next Season
Paul Allen, chairman of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, encourages farmers to prepare now for next growing season with respect to worker safety. FFVA strongly urges every grower and farm labor contractor to implement these measures to the utmost of your ability. Download the checklist, review it, print it out and begin working now to designate a workplace coordinator …
Georgia Vegetable Growers Should Prepare Now for Harvesting
By Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro da Silva for UGA CAES News As we approach the harvest season for watermelon, bell pepper, tomato, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, sweet corn and other crops, Georgia vegetable growers can move ahead and prepare seasonal workers to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 during harvest time. According to the National Watermelon Association, there was an increase …
Downy Mildew Found on Watermelon in South Carolina
According to the The South Carolina Grower, downy mildew disease was found Wednesday in one watermelon field in Bamberg County, South Carolina. Justin Ballew, Clemson Extension commercial horticulture agent, said all growers should immediately spray watermelon with Ranman, Revus, or Gavel to protect their crops from the disease. In addition to direct yield loss, loss of vine cover can expose …
Pecan Tree Dieback Scary But Normal For Growers
By Clint Thompson Leaf scorching and dieback on some young pecan trees is common this year with high temperatures, according to Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist. But Wells assures growers the problem can be corrected. “We see that this time of year pretty much every year; young trees where they’re growing so fast that the root …
So Far So Good For Peach Worker Safety
By Clint Thompson Georgia peach workers are staying safe and nobody has been stricken from the coronavirus pandemic yet, says Jeff Cook, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources agent for Peach and Taylor counties. “Nobody’s having any real hiccups with this virus. I guess everybody’s staying far enough away from each other to be safe,” Cook said. …
UF Professor Earns Award From UF/IFAS Extension Peers
By: Ruth Borger, 517-803-7631, rborger@ufl.edu LAKE ALFRED, Fla. — Water is essential to Florida farmers. They scrutinize the amount available, its quality and when and how they should use it to grow crops, feed animals and sustain their livelihood. University of Florida soil and water sciences assistant professor Davie Kadyampakeni works tirelessly with Florida citrus growers to ensure that they …
Alabama: A session unlike any other
Alabama: A session unlike any other By Ashley Robinson Alabama lawmakers have never seen a legislative session like the one that took place this year. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced lawmakers to end Alabama’s 2020 legislative session early, causing several issues to fall by the wayside. Legislators took a nearly two-month break during the COVID-19 outbreak, returing to Montgomery on …
Frustrated Florida Farmer Voices Mexican Imports Concerns
By Clint Thompson COVID-19 was a challenge of pandemic proportions for farmers this spring. Adding insult to injury were the influx of Mexican produce that undercut American producers trying to sell their own product. Florida vegetable farmer Sam Accursio has a potential solution. “The only solution I know is to vote, get the people that are like-minded and want to …
Pecan Industry Seeks to Establish a Research and Promotion Program
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) received a proposal from the National Pecan Federation (NPF) requesting the establishment of a research and promotion program to strengthen the position of pecans in the marketplace, maintain and expand markets for pecans and develop new uses for pecans. USDA is currently analyzing the proposal. If USDA finds the request …