By Karla Arboleda The University of Florida (UF) Blueberry Breeding and Genomics Lab recently released a new cultivar and is aiming to improve harvesting technology. Blueberry breeders look for the best quality traits in the small fruit, including yield and taste. Patricio Muñoz, an assistant professor and blueberry breeder at UF, discussed updates from the breeding program. COLOSSUS CULTIVAR “In …
Florida’s Arguments Rejected in ‘Water War’
(NSF) — For years, Florida has blamed Georgia’s water use for causing damage to the economically vital oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. But a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed this week, dealing a major blow to Florida in its legal fight to force Georgia to share more water in a river system that links the two …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida-Georgia Water Ruling
(FDACS) — Following the ruling by a federal judge on Georgia’s consumption of water shared with Florida, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “This ruling is a major disappointment for fair, responsible water usage on which both states depend. Georgia’s unchecked disruption of our shared waters in the Apalachicola River has devastated Florida’s oyster industry. I’m encouraging our …
Decision in Florida vs. Georgia ‘Water War’
This latest decision has been made regarding the longstanding argument between Florida and Georgia about water issues growing more complex as populations boom in these two deep southeastern states. In The Supreme Court of the United States ——————————— * ——————————— STATE OF FLORIDA, Plaintiff, v. STATE OF GEORGIA, Defendant. ——————————— * ——————————— CHAMBERS OF THE SPECIAL MASTER ——————————— * ——————————— …
Nursery and Greenhouse Industry Big Business in Alabama
The poinsettia sitting on the hearth, the hydroponic lettuce in the refrigerator, the new shrubs waiting to be planted — all of these were probably grown right here in Alabama. Paul Brown, associate director for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said many Alabamians do not recognize just how significant the nursery and greenhouse industry is in the state. Economic Impact “Alabama’s …
USDA Funds Multistate Efforts to Battle Pepper Diseases
By Karla Arboleda The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded a team of faculty from institutions across the country to study emerging pepper diseases. The University of Florida leads the project titled “Management of Endemic and Emerging Bacterial Diseases of Capsicum by Plant Resistance.” USDA also provided funding to North Carolina State University (NC …
Certified Seed for Hemp Explained
By Ernie Neff Many farmers looking at hemp as a potential alternative crop in Florida have been confused by the requirement that the hemp come from certified seed. Adam Elend, CEO of Florigrown, LLC, explains what certified seed is and is not. “The idea of certified seed is creating a lot of consternation among farmers,” Elend says. “I think that …
Optimum ICD Holdings Acquires Generation Farms
Optimum Agriculture (Optimum), a global agricultural company focused on land acquisition and management, announced that Optimum ICD Holdings LLC has acquired 5,587 acres of farmland, processing facilities and the trademark Generation Farms, as well as other assets in Tattnall and Toombs counties, Georgia, from Generation Farms, LLC and affiliates (Generation Farms). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. From now …
New Precision Ag Facility Adds to UF/IFAS Arsenal to Fight Pests, Diseases
(UF/IFAS) — In a new, 8,500-square-foot building at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, weed scientist Nathan Boyd uses images of weeds to train computers to identify them. Those pictures can be used to help growers know when, where and how to control pests. Using this form of precision …
Groups Stress Swift Passage Needed for USMCA
Secretary Perdue on USMCA Agreement (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced agreement on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): “USMCA is a big win for American workers and the economy, especially for our farmers and ranchers. The agreement improves virtually every …