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North Florida watermelon producers should be wary that Fusarium wilt symptoms have been observed in some fields, according to Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Regional Specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. His weekly email included an alert that a “high percentage of plants in parts of fields have shown wilting.” “You may …
By Clint Thompson Supply overwhelmed demand in the strawberry industry in March. As a result, the subsequent market did not respond favorably for Florida growers. Matt Parke, farm manager of Parkesdale Farms in Plant City, Florida, stopped harvesting his crop on March 17, because he was going to lose more money harvesting the crop than if he had just stopped. …
By Clint Thompson One trait remains the focus of the University of Georgia (UGA) pecan breeding program. As UGA pecan breeder Patrick Conner continues to study cultivars of the future, they must possess scab resistance on some level. “It has to have at least good resistance, if not excellent resistance, before we’ll go forward,” Conner said. “Good resistance to me …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it intends to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). USDA is set to renew the committee’s charter for two years as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The current charter expires on May 23, 2024. USDA invites those interested to submit comments on this notice. …
By Clint Thompson One North Georgia peach producer is optimistic this year’s crop will have a different ending than a season ago. The crop has already dodged one late season freeze event. The countdown is on for Drew Echols to see if he and other farmers are out of the woods for any future sub-freezing temperatures. “We got down to …
By Clint Thompson Southeast peach producers should remain timely with their fungicide applications amid the persistent rainy conditions being experienced across the region. Phil Brannen, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension fruit disease specialist, highlighted a couple of diseases the growers should be concerned with. “I’m sure they’re on top of it, but with the amount of rain and some of …
Ready to pick your own blueberries or buy them at the grocery store? Florida’s blueberry season is here, so you’ll likely find a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) variety near you. When consumers travel to the supermarket, they will not find blueberries labeled as UF/IFAS varieties. Chances are, however, if you are buying Florida-grown blueberries, …
By Clint Thompson It was a typical mid-summer scene in South Georgia: scorching temperatures, dusty fields and farm work in progress. For youngster Jaime Patrick, it was just another day at Patrick Farms in Omega, Georgia. “Working here on the farm in the summers, we were growing sweet potatoes at the time. We always had people walk behind the transplanter; …
Aphid pressure is increasing across southern Florida, according to the South Florida Pest and Disease Hotline. Scouts are reporting low to moderate numbers in central Florida. Recent increases have occurred despite insecticide applications being made, especially with melon aphids. The outlook is especially concerning in Southwest Florida, as populations are observed to be moderate to high in pepper fields and …
Once covered in drought conditions, the Southeast now has sufficient moisture. If the persistent rains being felt amid the current El Niño weather pattern didn’t provide enough of a clue, it is once again reflected in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. There are no indications of abnormally dry conditions in either Alabama or Georgia. Both states have sufficient moisture. Only …
