The June issue of VSCNews magazine will be growers’ go-to guide for crucial crop diseases in the Southeast. Gary Vallad, University of Florida (UF) pathologist, authors two articles in this issue. In the first feature, he discusses tomato bacterial spot, including where and how it begins in the transplant house. His second article addresses southern blight and the best ways …
Fighting for Florida Ag in D.C.
Each year, Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) gives its members the unique opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Florida agriculture to their legislators. Farmers and ranchers from throughout the state attended the Field to the Hill event last week along with FFB state staff. AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor was able to tag along with the Farm Bureau members …
Battling Silk Flies in South Florida Sweet Corn
By Julien Beuzelin South Florida sweet corn growers continue to face two major insect problems: fall armyworms and corn silk flies. The two pests can be devastating, but corn silk flies are more challenging to manage than fall armyworms under current production practices. Three silk fly species have been reported to cause the majority of the damage: Euxesta eluta, Euxesta …
Hemp Research: ‘A Lot of Different Moving Pieces’
An update on industrial hemp research in Florida filled most of the auditorium at the Everglades Research and Education Center near Belle Glade on May 16. Zack Brym, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences assistant professor from Homestead, reviewed the latest information and answered questions from those attending in person and via webinar. Brym reviewed the progress …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD
How to Earn More of the Food Dollar
Staying profitable is always top-of-mind for agricultural producers. Brandon McFadden, an assistant professor at the University of Delaware, studies how producers can earn a bigger percentage of the food dollar. According to McFadden, an average of 12 percent of every dollar spent on food goes to producers. He then examined dollars spent on food at home versus food away from …
Panel Advocates for Florida Ag to Florida Delegation
A panel of Florida agricultural leaders had a unique opportunity on May 16 to discuss Florida agriculture issues in front of the Florida delegation in Washington, D.C. The panel mainly focused on two topics: hurricane relief dollars and the impact of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on Florida produce. Led by delegation co-chairs Alcee Hastings and Vern Buchanan, Florida’s representatives …
Farm Leader Salutes Gov. DeSantis for Hurricane Recovery Loan Program
Florida Farm Bureau President John L. Hoblick has expressed his appreciation for the decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis to authorize a major state loan program for farm families struggling with recovery from the damage inflicted by Hurricane Michael. “We thank Governor DeSantis for his bold leadership in initiating this program,” Hoblick said. “Six months after the storm crushed the region, …
Enza Zaden Field Day Features Watermelons and More
Growers and seed distributors had a field day Tuesday at the Enza Zaden seed breeding and field trials facility near Myakka City, Florida. The main attraction was the watermelon trials that include new varieties being tested and introduced into the market. Other trials added great flavor to the day’s tour and discussions, with multiple plots for bell peppers, mature green …
Rep. Yoho Receives Golden Plow Award
Florida Congressman Ted Yoho received the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Golden Plow award on May 14. The award was presented to Yoho by AFBF President Zippy Duvall and Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) President John Hoblick in the AFBF headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Golden Plow award is the highest honor AFBF gives to current members of Congress who go …