By Ashley Robinson Increased adoption of best management practices (BMPs) by agricultural producers is a potential tool for improving water resource conditions. However, the economic feasibility of this approach is largely unknown in watersheds connected to the Florida aquifer. The University of Florida (UF) has joined three other Southeastern universities in research efforts to help ensure water for agricultural production …
UGA Economist Says Block Grant Funds Will Help Georgia Producers
By Clint Thompson Georgia farmers hoping for financial relief from Hurricane Michael in 2018 can begin submitting online applications to the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) for the $347 million in Farm Recovery Block Grant funds on March 18. Adam Rabinowitz, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension assistant professor and agricultural economist, believes the block grant funds will provide extra benefits …
Tools for Tomato Weed Management
By Nathan Boyd Weed management programs for plasticulture tomato production in the southeastern United States typically rely on an array of tools to achieve satisfactory weed control. This may include tools such as fumigants, plastic mulches, pre-emergence herbicides, post-emergence herbicides and hand weeding. THE CULPRITS Purple and yellow nutsedge can be especially problematic due to their ability to puncture the …
Why Florida Citrus Variety Display Days Need Fine-Tuning
Course correction required to ensure industry engagement in early evaluation process.
Public Field Hearings on Foreign Trade Policies and Produce
(FBGA) — The Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Commerce will hold public hearings in Florida (April 7) and Georgia (April 9) to discuss foreign trade policies that may be harming American growers of seasonal and perishable produce. At the hearings, officials from the federal agencies will hear …
Ag Secretary Hears From Strawberry Growers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, accompanied by two congressmen, heard Florida strawberry growers’ concerns about trade and labor issues March 6 in Plant City. Perdue, Florida Congressman Ross Spano and Indiana Congressman Greg Pence, older brother of Vice President Mike Pence, lunched with growers at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Perdue says he likes to hear directly about issues from …
State Hemp Plan Notice of Change for Florida
(FDACS) — On March 6, 2020, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) published a Notice of Change for Rule 5B-57.014, F.A.C. – State Hemp Plan (hemp cultivation rule). The Notice of Change includes updates and modifications to the proposed rule based on public comments and brings the proposed rule in alignment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture …
FFVA Urges All Members to Attend Plant City Trade Hearing
Now is your chance to tell the administration: Unfair Mexican trade practices threaten our ability to grow fruits and vegetables. (FFVA) — Representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce will hold a public hearing on April 7 to hear from Florida growers of fresh fruit and vegetables about the severe economic losses …
Labor Issues Concern Fruit and Vegetable Growers
By Clint Thompson The newly signed United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) raises almost as many questions as it answers with respect to labor costs, according to Greg Fonsah, University of Georgia agribusiness Extension economist. “The H-2A program which is in place is very expensive for the farmers, and that helps to increase the cost of production,” Fonsah said. “The good part …
Another Frost Event Likely for Parts of Southeast Region
By Clint Thompson The Southeast is not out of the woods for a late frost event, which could be costly for peach producers and blueberry growers in Georgia and Alabama. Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension climatologist, said some blueberry farmers are especially concerned since their plants have already started producing a crop. “Because it’s been such a warm …