By Clint Thompson The time in between production seasons provides Florida vegetable producers a chance to manage nematodes. While cover crops improve the soil quality and health in preparation for the upcoming growing season, they can also help reduce nematode reproduction; if growers implement cover crops that are poor hosts. “It’s basically got to be a decision a grower makes …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Abnormally Dry Conditions Throughout Florida
Thursday’s release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that much of South Georgia remains abnormally dry. As far west as Decatur County had partial abnormally dry conditions stretching all the way to Camden County along the Atlantic Coast. As far north as Atkinson County, Berrien County and Cook County were abnormally dry. North Florida remains abnormally dry, stretching from Wakulla …
Georgia Grapes Benefiting from Dry Weather
By Clint Thompson What’s left of Georgia’s wine grape production is benefiting from the hot and dry weather conditions. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Fruit Disease Specialist, said the lack of rainfall has prevented grape diseases from being an issue so far this season. “Right now, the grapes in general, and I’m talking about the wine grapes that …
Cover Crops Beneficial for Vegetable Producers in South Florida
By Clint Thompson A break in between vegetable production seasons means fallow land for much of South Florida. It doesn’t have to be that way, however. University of Florida/IFAS continues to advocate the use of cover crops, though it’s not a management tactic practiced by many South Florida producers. “Those that do it seem to swear by it and continue …
Pecan Interest Slows Amid Rising Input Costs, Deflated Market Prices
By Clint Thompson Pecan interest has finally slowed amid rising input costs and a deflated market. Need proof? Just look at the attendance at Tuesday’s Pecan Beginner’s School at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. “The planting of nursery trees over the past year did drop. The number of trees planted, people are still planting, but I think …
Commissioner Fried Commends $6 Billion in USDA Aid for Producers
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried applauded the agricultural aid of $6 billion by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative. “With so many agricultural businesses and producers lacking equitable access to earlier assistance under the previous administration, this aid will be incredibly helpful to Florida’s farmers, ranchers, specialty crop growers, …
Packinghouse Day: Annual Citrus Event Returns In-Person This Year
The annual UF/IFAS Citrus Packinghouse Day will return as an in-person event on Aug. 26 at the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, Florida. The free event will feature workshops and seminars for industry professionals. Interstate and export regulations, food safety regulations, training opportunities and postharvest fruit processing improvements highlight some of the topics of this year’s …
Insect Impact: Whiteflies, Wireworms, Rindworms Impacting Florida Watermelons
Insects are active in North Florida watermelon fields. According to his weekly email, Bob Hochmuth, UF/IFAS Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida, said rindworms remain a problem. Growers need to maintain a good preventative program up until the last week of harvest. There have also been various reports of whitefly populations. This is especially concerning because they vector …
At the Forefront: Strawberry Disease Still on Producers’ Minds
By Clint Thompson Last year presented its share of challenges for Florida strawberry growers; imports, heavy insect pressure and low market prices early in the season, just to name a few. None compared to Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease, however. The disease that one producer dubbed the citrus greening of strawberries is on the minds of Florida producers with plantings still …
Mite-y Problem: Spider Mites a Concern During Hot, Dry Conditions
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry weather across the Southeast make for ideal conditions for spider mites in peach orchards. Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, discusses in the UGA Peach Blog what symptoms producers need to watch out for. “At least in peaches, keeping an eye out for bronzing of the leaves. That’s …