By Michael Terrazas for CAES News The names tick off like racehorses or colors from some fancy catalog: Carolina Red June, Duchess of Oldenburg, Hewe’s Crab and Rabun Bald, Limbertwig and Nickajack and Parks’ Pippin and many more. They’re apples, hundreds of varieties that thrived in orchards across North Georgia a century ago, before an evolving apple industry swept them …
Statistically Speaking: Data Supports Mexican Imports’ Impact on Florida
Florida producers have been protesting Mexican imports and the devastating impact they’re having on market prices for years. But just how bad have imports from Mexico been in several key commodities? University of Florida Associate Professor Zhengfei Guan describes in a webinar how much imports have risen in the last two decades. Strawberries “In 2000, strawberry imports from Mexico were …
Final Rule: Changes to Hemp Production Go Into Effect March 22
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Hemp Production Program’s Final Rule will go into effect March 22. Some of the key provisions include raising the negligence threshold from 0.5% to 1% and limits the maximum number of negligent violations that a producer can receive in a growing season to one. Also, the normal 15-day window to collect samples before harvest has …
Florida Producer: It’s the Greening of Strawberries
Citrus Greening has devastated Florida’s citrus industry. The state’s strawberry producers are concerned about their future with Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot disease. It may still be in its infancy, but Neopestalotiopsis Fruit Rot is taking its toll on the Florida strawberry industry. One Florida producer is concerned about its impact moving forward. “I would call it the ‘Greening of strawberries,’” said …
Watermelon Board Announces First Female Board President
Winter Springs, FL – March 10, 2021 – The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) held its bi-annual board meeting virtually on Saturday, March 6. Board member Jordan Carter was elected President by her peers, becoming the first woman to serve in this position. Prior to this nomination, Carter (District 3, Cordele, GA) served as Secretary/Treasurer as well as interim President …
Pecan Pest: Ambrosia Beetles Are Active
A main insect pest of pecan trees is active right now. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist Lenny Wells cautions producers that Asian Ambrosia beetles are active in young pecan trees. Beetle activity has been reported from Cook County, Fort Valley and different sites in Eastern Georgia, according to the UGA Pecan Extension Blog. Activity will only increase as temperatures …
Tale of Two Blueberry Seasons
Florida Grower: It’s not going to be like it was last year It’s a tale of two seasons for Florida blueberry growers. Producers were early with last year’s crop but encountered COVID-19 that kept prices low. This year’s cooler weather has slowed the growth of the blueberry crop, which means it’ll likely be ready for its normal timeframe. Hopefully, that’ll …
Record Levels: Asian Bean Thrips Major Problem for Some South Florida Producers
South Florida farms had record levels of Asian bean thrips (ABT) populations last week. Others experienced a reduction in thrips counts, however. According to the University of Florida/IFAS, farms in southeastern Hendry County reported infestations as low as 0.2 ABT per bud and between 0.1 and 0.2 ABT per bloom (at full bloom) but were as high as 1.9 ABT …
Farming’s Future: Ag Labor Reform Needed Now More Than Ever
The future of the American farmer is bleak. Farmers themselves are hinting that the end is near for their career in the field, amid increasing costs, decreasing prices and steady imports from Mexico. One significant help would come in reform to the current H-2A guestworker program, according to Allison Crittenden, Director of Congressional Relations at the American Farm Bureau Federation. …
Grape Diseases: Mildews a Concern for Producers
No matter what environmental conditions grape producers face this season, they are likely to encounter either downy mildew or powdery mildew. “Powdery mildew actually does better in a drier environment. That’s why it’s a major problem in places like California. But when we have dry conditions, it can be worse for us. Even in wet conditions, we have it,” said …