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By Clint Thompson The upcoming summer months are projected to be warmer than normal. That’s the forecast shared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension agricultural climatologist, noted in the UGA Extension Climate Blog that the forecast of warmer temperatures in June through August is not a surprising prediction. She said it is …
This is the first in a two-part series on the disease and UF/IFAS research. By Clint Thompson One tomato disease has long been a thorn in the side of producers throughout the Southeast. Gary Vallad, professor of plant pathology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discussed bacterial spot …
By Clint Thompson Salibro nematicide provides Florida vegetable growers another new tool in the toolbox when managing nematodes. Johan Desaeger, assistant professor of entomology and nematology at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, discusses Salibro and its impact on the soil pests. “We have this new nematicide called Salibro which …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $72.9 million in grant funding is available through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). The program funds innovative projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through marketing, education and research. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications until July 7, 2025. Eligible applicants are agricultural agencies or departments …
By Clint Thompson The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) applauded investments in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s Reconciliation draft. While the SCFBA prefers agriculture policy enacted in the context of a farm bill, it appreciated Chairman GT Thompson’s support of the industry. Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance …
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2025 – Over the next several weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the June Agricultural Survey. The agency will contact nearly 92,000 producers across the nation to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2025. “The June Agricultural Survey is one of the most important and …
By Clint Thompson Southeast specialty crop industry leaders are stressing the need for crop protection tools amid a report from the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission that raises the possibility that the federal government could restrict farmers’ access to these essential inputs. The Modern Ag Alliance highlighted in a press release how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) boasts one …
Downy mildew disease remains the most important threat to North Florida watermelons, a couple of weeks into harvest season. That’s the assessment made by Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. The disease has not “blown up” this year, and Hochmuth attributes that to growers being proactive …
In mid-May, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Gulf Coast Research and Education Center hosted a tomato field day to showcase research being conducted at the facility. The event was well attended, filling up several wagon loads of people who made their way through six field stops that focused on nematodes, tomato breeding, fertilizer recommendations, …
Weekly Field Update Clemson Extension agents provide updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Coastal Region Anna Sara Hill Midlands Phillip Carnley Rob Last Sarah Scott
