PACA Information Related to COVID-19 Impacts

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(USDA/AMS) — Q.        I have been contacted by several customers that purchased produce from me requesting extensions to our payment terms or to make partial payments as a result of the economic turmoil relating to the COVID-19 emergency. I understand the predicament my customers are facing and am willing to try and help, but I am afraid I could jeopardize …

Coronavirus Concerns Impacting U.S. Agriculture

Web AdminGeneral, Labor, Top Posts

By Ashley Robinson U.S. agriculture has always had a great responsibility on its shoulders — to keep food on the tables of consumers despite the challenges that come its way. However, the situations facing production agriculture now in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers. “There is a lot of anxiety and concern …

Precision Sprayer Can Reduce Herbicide Use

Web AdminTechnology, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine

By Arnold Schumann, Nathan Boyd, Shaun Sharpe and Jialin Yu In the March 2019 issue of VSCNews, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) smart sprayer technology using machine vision for Florida vegetable and strawberry crops (VSCNews.com/smart-sprayer-technology-for-better-weed-control) was introduced. Subsequently, a series of herbicide spray trials were conducted to prove that the smart sprayer performs well …

Strawberry Grower Addresses Trade, Labor

Web AdminLabor, Top Posts, Trade

Gary Wishnatzki, chief executive officer of Wish Farms, was one of several strawberry growers who met with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and two congressmen in Plant City recently. Growers at that meeting said Mexican subsidization of its agricultural industry is a problem, as is the H-2A program, which allows temporary foreign agricultural labor into the United States. Wishnatzki …

Prepare for San Jose Scale in Peaches

Web AdminPeaches, Pests, Top Posts

By Ashley Robinson Researchers have predicted increased San Jose scale populations for the 2020 growing season. The pest, which is active in temperatures over 51 degrees Fahrenheit, is forecasted to give peach growers a run for their money this year. Brett Blaauw, University of Georgia (UGA) entomologist, provided peach growers with an insect pest update and forecast during his presentation …

Fungicide Update for Vegetable Crops

Web AdminCucurbits, Onion, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Ashley Robinson Vegetable growers are always on high alert to prevent major fungal diseases from damaging their crops. During the 2020 Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, Bhabesh Dutta, assistant research professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Georgia (UGA), provided growers with updates on major fungal diseases and their control as well as updates on fungicide …

Public Field Hearings in Florida and Georgia on Seasonal and Perishable Produce Postponed

Web AdminAgri-business, Florida, Food Safety, General, Georgia, Industry News Release, Leafy Vegetables, Organic, Produce

(USTR) — Consistent with recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the field hearings scheduled in Florida and Georgia on April 7 and April 9 by the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce will be postponed and rescheduled at a later date. Interested parties are still encouraged to submit written comments and information …

Bacterial Wilt Disease a New Concern for Florida Blueberry Growers

Web AdminBerries, Florida, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Bacterial wilt disease is a relatively new problem for Florida blueberry farmers, according to Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida. He said that though the ralstonia pathogen, which causes bacterial wilt in other Florida crops like tobacco, tomato and pepper, has been around for more than 100 years, some blueberry producers …