By Clint Thompson Tomato growers across the Southeast are enjoying high prices right now, which marks a significant change from March when Florida producers had to leave many in the field amid the coronavirus pandemic. That is not the case anymore, however, says Michael Schadler, executive vice president at the Florida Tomato Exchange. “Market price has been high. Coming down …
Watermelon Board Pivots Nutrition Education Strategy to Digital Model
With growing season in and home schooling out, NWPB is meeting an essential need for parents working from home and teachers preventing the summer slide WINTER SPRINGS, FL — June 3, 2020 — The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) is realigning resources to adapt to a new climate while focusing on summer sales. Unlike years past when summer months meant in-person …
2020 Caneberry Survey on Pricing, COVID-19 Impacts
— Written By Daniel Tregeagle The North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association (NARBA), in collaboration with NC State University and the University of Arkansas, is conducting its biennial pricing survey. Growers of caneberries (raspberries, blackberries, and hybrids) in Canada and the U.S. will be asked about prices they received across all distribution methods. This year, additional questions have been added …
UF/IFAS Extension Agents Working Together to Better Serve Citrus Growers
By: Ruth Borger, 517-803-7631, rborger@ufl.edu LAKE ALFRED, FL — Florida’s citrus growers have long benefited from productive relationships with UF/IFAS Extension commercial citrus agents who work in central and Southwest Florida. And it’s about to get better. UF/IFAS Extension commercial citrus agents operating in Hillsborough, Polk, Highlands, DeSoto, Hardee, and Manatee counties are launching a new newsletter. They hope to …
Hemp interest still strong in the Southeast
By Clint Thompson The Southeast is primed to ramp up its hemp production. Alabama is ready for its second year of production, while Georgia and Florida are just getting started. If the number of grower applications is any indication, interest in hemp is extremely high in all three states. Hemp drew 166 grower applicants and eight applications for processor permits …
Economist Fearful CFAP Funds Won’t Be Enough
By Clint Thompson One agricultural economist fears there might be insufficient funds to cover farmers who apply for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Max Runge, Extension specialist in agricultural economics and rural sociology at Auburn University, believes the 80% of maximum total payment allotted for applicants will not be enough considering the number of producers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. …
Optimizing Nitrogen in Cabbage Production
By Ashley Robinson A shortage of nitrogen is the most common reason for a cabbage crop not reaching its full yield potential. However, applying too much nitrogen may cause more harm than good. It’s important to determine the optimal rate for production. Researchers at the University of Georgia (UGA) and the University of Florida are working in collaboration to conduct …
Meet the Latest Citrus Achievement Award Winner
Find out who is receiving the distinguished industry honor this year thanks to innovation and an eye toward a sustainable future.
United Fresh Says Produce Buying Climbed During COVID-19
United Fresh Produce released its first quarter of 2020 issue of Fresh Facts on Retail report that details the rising number of fresh produce purchases in 2020. The unprecedented rise in food and beverage consumption at home was brought about by shelter-in-place orders issued to slow the spread of the coronavirus. “Those closures have led to consumers drastically restructuring their …
Potato Industry Feels Left Out of CFAP
The National Potato Council and state grower organizations wrote Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue recently to talk about potatoes that have nowhere to go for processing. The Hagstrom Report says the council noted more than “1.5 billion pounds of fresh potatoes for processing and potato products are trapped in the supply chain with no likely customers.” Mountains of potatoes were being …