Producing a white strawberry was the first challenge for University of Florida/IFAS strawberry breeder Vance Whitaker. The next is figuring out how to market it so it could be a viable option for Florida producers in the future. Whitaker said there are 12 acres test marketed in different chain stores this year. They will have a better grasp on how …
Expect a Drop in Pecan Production in 2021
This year’s pecan crop in Georgia exceeded expectations. Producers need to brace themselves for a drop in volume next year, which is expected with pecan trees being alternate bearing plants. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist Lenny Wells fully expects the 2021 crop season to be a down year for Georgia growers. “From a volume perspective yes, I don’t …
Georgia Pecan Volume Exceeded Expectations
The worst pecan prices in recent memory are being countered by one of the biggest crops in recent years. Lenny Wells, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist, said this year’s crop has been welcomed by all producers, especially those still recovering from Hurricane Michael in 2018. “I think it has (exceeded expectations) from a volume standpoint. It’s hard to …
On Farm Readiness Reviews for Produce Growers in Georgia
On Farm Readiness Reviews (OFRR) are now available for Georgia produce farmers. Schedule your OFRR by clicking the button below to visit georgiaproducesafety.com or by contacting Maggie or Elizabeth. Maggie H. BrownProduce Safety Education and Outreach CoordinatorMaggie.brown@agr.georgia.gov Elizabeth S. DanforthProduce Safety Education and Outreach AssociateElizabeth.Danforth@agr.georgia.gov An OFRR is not an inspection but a method of educating before regulating. The goal of an …
New UF/IFAS App to ID Toxic Plants
Some livestock, pets and even children occasionally nibble on poisonous plants, presenting a potential pitfall to the animals and youth. Now, a new, free app designed by UF/IFAS researchers and Extension faculty helps you identify toxic plants. Not only is this the first app to identify strictly Florida plants, it’s also the first to distinguish between toxic weeds. “This app …
GATE Renewal Still Open
Annual renewal for the Georgia Agriculture Tax Exemption (GATE) program is open. Eligible farmers can renew their GATE card for 2021 online by visiting https://forms.agr.georgia.gov/GATE/. GATE cardholders who are to renew in 2021 will automatically be placed on the new three-year renewal program and will receive their renewal invoice in 2024. All current cards will expire Dec. 31, 2020. Cardholders …
December 2020 Final Outlook Shows No Strong Trend
According to the UGA Extension Climate and Agriculture blog, the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released the latest 30-day climate outlook on Monday. It shows that there is no strong trend towards warmer or colder conditions in December except in southern Florida. Early December will be colder than normal. It is still expected to be warmer than normal in late December. …
Cold Week Good for Florida Strawberries
Cold temperatures this week in Florida were just what the doctor ordered for the state’s strawberry crop – especially since temperatures were not well below freezing. Vance Whitaker, strawberry breeder at the University of Florida Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, said the cold weather Floridians experienced this week should aid in the development of the strawberry plants.  “If it …
Alabama Christmas Tree Farmers to Experience Joyous Holiday Sales?
Alabama Christmas tree farms started with record-breaking sales during the Thanksgiving holidays, according to Jeremy Pickens, Alabama Assistant Extension Professor in Horticulture at Auburn University. While bad weather on Sunday reduced some foot traffic, Pickens expects sales to pick back up. “I think with the (coronavirus) pandemic, unfortunately, people are ready to get outside. What a great thing to go …
Slug Management in Blueberries
Ash Sial, Associate Professor in the University of Georgia in the Department of Entomology, is receiving reports of slug infestations in Georgia blueberries. According to the UGA IPM blog, slugs generally lay between 3 and 40 small transparent eggs at one time. Each slug can lay up to 400 per year. The slugs can contaminate the harvested fruit once harvest …