By Karla Arboleda and Abbey Taylor Industrial hemp could be the next cash crop in Florida. However, there are many details to complete and hoops to jump through before growers can get their hands on the hemp. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Hemp Pilot Program strives to give growers the answers they need regarding …
Legislative Leaders Meet on USMCA and Disaster Relief
It was a busy Friday in the Southeast for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue as he and other legislative leaders sat down with representatives from Florida and Georgia agriculture on June 7. The day started with a meeting in Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a meeting in Doerun, Georgia. The main topics of discussion were the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and …
Perdue Sets the Record Straight on USMCA
While the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) awaits ratification, southeastern growers and industry groups continue to voice their concerns about the agreement. USMCA, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) rewrite, did not include provisions protecting southeastern producers from what some call unfair trade practices from Mexico. During a recent press conference, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue addressed these claims in …
Trump Signs Disaster Relief Package
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law a $19.1 billion disaster-relief package that Florida officials have sought since Hurricane Michael pounded the Panhandle in October. The signing followed the U.S. House voting 354-58 on Monday to approve the measure, which passed the U.S. Senate earlier. The package is intended to assist communities in more than 40 states impacted by …
Disaster Aid Funding Signed Into Law By President Trump
Senators Perdue & Isakson fought for months to secure critical funding for Georgians recovering from Hurricane Michael U.S. Senators David Perdue (R-GA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) applaud President Donald J. Trump for quickly signing into law critical disaster relief funding for Georgia and other states impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. Senators Perdue and Isakson have fought …
Dealing with Blueberry Diseases
By Karla Arboleda Blueberry growers in Georgia may have to manage new and unwanted effects on their fruit when dealing with diseases. Jonathan Oliver, the small fruit pathologist and Extension specialist at University of Georgia, discussed the best way to treat Exobasidium leaf and fruit spot of blueberry with lime sulfur. Applications of lime sulfur during the dormant period have …
Georgia Congressman Relieved Disaster Package Passed
Disaster-aid legislation has now been signed into law by President Trump. The bill includes $19.1 billion for areas that suffered from natural disasters, including southwest Georgia, southern Alabama and Florida’s Panhandle, which saw major destruction following Hurricane Michael. While passing the aid for farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael is already a huge win, Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-1) is also pleased …
Nematodes in Florida Hops
By Karla Arboleda Florida conditions can cause crops to have increased problems in comparison to other regions, and it’s no different for hops. Microscopic nematodes are common all over the world, specifically in vegetables. Across Florida, hops growers have found root-knot nematodes in their crops. Johan Desaeger, a nematode researcher at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Long-Sought Disaster Aid Package Passes House
A federal disaster-relief package, long sought by Florida officials and Panhandle residents recovering from the ravages of Hurricane Michael, received approval Monday from the U.S. House after three earlier attempts were blocked. The 354-58 vote, which came after the House returned from a 10-day holiday recess, sends the $19.1 billion package to President Donald Trump. The Senate backed the measure …
Managing Nematodes Without Methyl Bromide
By Johan Desaeger Plant-parasitic nematodes are some of the most difficult pests or diseases that growers in Florida are facing. They are difficult to recognize, are often confused with other biotic or abiotic problems, and can cause total crop loss in many fruits and vegetables. This is especially true in Florida’s warm and sandy soils, where nematodes, such as root-knot …