Florida Hop Trials — Keeping Ahead of Pests and Diseases

Web AdminHops, Research, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Gary Vallad, Johan Desaeger, Hugh Smith, Zhanao Deng and Shinsuke Agehara Like other crops, hops are susceptible to various pests and diseases. The goal of this article is to review findings from ongoing field studies conducted at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center (GCREC). The presented findings should …

Basin Management Action Plans Stalled in Florida

Web AdminTop Posts, VSCNews magazine, Water

By Charles Barrett Regardless of your level of experience with basin management action plans (BMAPS), there are things about them everyone should know. UNDERSTANDING THE TERMS The short version is this: BMAPs are plans to restore water quality in a body of water to a level below what is considered impaired. Water bodies in Florida have been categorized based on …

desantis

Lake Okeechobee Levels Rising; Discharges to Increase

Web AdminEnvironment, Water

Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Colonel Drew Kelly, commander of the Jacksonville District, held a media conference call on Feb. 22 to explain a change to the discharge schedules for Lake Okeechobee, as water levels are rising in the lake. Listen to the audio clip below to hear the entire press conference, including questions from South Florida media and Southeast …

Buying Food Online: A Growing Trend

Web AdminAgri-business, Produce, Top Posts

Technology continues to increasingly impact consumers’ lives, and online shopping is on the rise. Don Goodwin, president of Golden Sun Marketing, says that trend has now reached food. According to Goodwin, it is difficult to say how this growing trend is going to impact the seed and produce industry. However, he recognizes some areas of concern. For example, he is …

New Crops Provide New Hope

Web AdminCole Crop, Hemp, Hops, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Farmers and ranchers in Northwest Florida are looking to make a comeback after Hurricane Michael wreaked havoc on their crops. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC), is working to help growers affected by the hurricane. According to Aiken, the affected areas …

benjamin butler

DeSantis Makes Appointments to SFWMD

Web AdminEnvironment, Industry News Release, Water

Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Charlette Roman, Charlie Martinez and Cheryl Anne Meads to the board of the South Florida Water Management District in Naples. The governor was joined by all three appointees as well as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection Noah Valenstein. “I’m pleased to announce the appointments of Charlie Martinez, Cheryl Anne Meads and …

farm bill

Farm Bill Implementation Listening Session Open to Producers

Web AdminFarm Bill, Industry News Release

Register by February 22! The U.S. Department of Agriculture is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Risk Management Agency. Each agency will take into account stakeholder input when making discretionary decisions on …

strawberry

Aromatic Strawberry Variety Grows in South Florida

Web AdminIndustry News Release, Research, Strawberry

As National Strawberry Day approaches on Feb. 27, University of Florida (UF) scientists have found another variety that can grow in South Florida. It’s largely unknown to American consumers, it’s temptingly tasty and it’s good for local markets, UF researchers say. Alan Chambers, an assistant professor of horticultural sciences with the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), led …

Herbicide Update for Growers

Web AdminProduce, Research, Top Posts

By Alison DeLoach Rely, an herbicide used as an alternative to glyphosate, has recently been transferred from Bayer to BASF. This transfer of rights has raised questions for growers about whether BASF will support use of the herbicide. Stanley Culpepper, a weed scientist with the University of Georgia, shared his thoughts on Rely.  Bayer, the previous manufacturer and marketer of …

What’s Stalling the USMCA?

Web AdminLegislative, Top Posts, USMCA

After months of renegotiation talks, trade representatives revealed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is poised to replace the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). However, there have been changes in Washington, D.C., following the general election that may stall the USMCA. Bill Lane, executive director of Trade for America, briefly discussed this issue during his presentation at the recent …