By Ashley Robinson Florida’s warm and wet climate can create the optimal environment for a multitude of cabbage diseases. Black rot is caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris is a significant issue for Florida cabbage growers. Not only can this disease cause major losses, but once a field is infected, it is difficult to get rid of the disease. “Black rot …
Details of Risk Management Programs for Hemp Producers Announced
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of two programs that protect hemp producers’ crops from natural disasters. A pilot hemp insurance program through Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) provides coverage against loss of yield because of insurable causes of loss for hemp grown for fiber, grain or cannabidiol (CBD) oil, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance …
Nematode Control in Compact Beds
By Ernie Neff Nematologist Johan Desaeger discussed nematode control trials in compact vegetable beds versus wider conventional beds at a vegetable grower meeting at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee on Feb. 4. More than 30 growers and others attended the meeting. Desaeger works for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the …
Know the Rules for Agricultural Drone Use
By Ashley Robinson The use of drones in production agriculture has become more prevalent in recent years as larger commercial models have become accessible. As these products become more popular, it’s important to remember that using an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone, comes with a strict set of rules and regulations created and governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). …
Blueberry Emoji Coming Soon
USHBC will provide industry resources to support the emoji’s official release later in 2020. (USHBC) — A blueberry emoji is coming in 2020, and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is celebrating this exciting milestone. The blueberry emoji news joins two recent announcements – Classic Blueberry as Flavor of the Year and Classic Blue as Color of the Year – that add up to …
Trade Deals Could Mean Brighter Days for Farmers
By Clint Thompson Jeffrey Dorfman, Georgia’s state fiscal economist and professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, believes agriculture is currently in an “OK place” amid low commodity prices. Speaking at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Ag Forecast meeting at the Tifton Campus Conference Center on Jan. 31, Dorfman highlighted recent …
Blueberry Advisory System: Tool for Timing Anthracnose Fruit Rot Control
By Doug Phillips The Blueberry Advisory System (BAS) is a weather-based alert system that signals Florida blueberry growers when environmental conditions are favorable for the development of anthracnose fruit rot (AFR). A new, updated version of the BAS was released on Jan. 31, available at http://agroclimate.org/tools/bas/. The data for AFR risk models is collected from the Florida Automated Weather Network, which has weather stations throughout the state. The risk for AFR …
Rising to the Challenges of Florida Farming
Problem-solving skills and a thirst for knowledge allow Chuck Obern to run a thriving vegetable farm. By Kendal Norris To be successful in farming requires a good deal of stamina, flexibility and determination, along with a love of the art of growing things. Charles “Chuck” Obern, owner of C&B Farms, Inc., embodies all these qualities. He is also curious, with …
Soil Health Matters! A Tale of 2 Florida Citrus Groves
A look at different approaches that have brought orange plantings back from the brink.
Seasonal Farm Trade Tensions Between the United States and Mexico
In spite of the good will generated after the United States and Mexico approved the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, there could be more tensions between the two countries surrounding produce. The Financial Post says Mexico responded to a letter from the top U.S. trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, pledging protectionist measures on seasonal farm trade for producers in the politically important states of …